Suggestions for southern Maine waters for a fishing trip

[sploke]

Greetings Maine-iacs! I'm looking for some lake suggestions for a trip for a group of guys heading up that way for a long weekend in Feb. Historically we've always ended up at Moosehead but we're looking for some new ground. I've been looking in the Sebago/Little Sebago/Long Lake area as a start. We'd like to primarily focus on salmon and togue, but also having cusk is a big bonus. The chance for a brookie or brown is always fun too. Anyone have some suggestions on other bodies of water to consider?

Also, a question on the regs: For example for Long Lake in Cumberland Co., I see the S regs like this:

General fishing laws apply, except: From October 1 - December 31: ALO (Artificial lures only), S-7 (All trout, landlocked salmon, and togue caught must be released alive at once).

I read that as, the S regs only apply from 10/1 through 12/31, and outside of that it’s general fishing laws across the board. So if we're there in Feb and fishing salmon for example, we can use live bait and keep two 14"+ fish. Am I interpreting that correctly?

[9huskies]

I don't know the southern part of Maine well enough to suggest anyplace. I try to avoid going that close to Massachusetts. I can confirm that you are interpreting the rules correctly. One of the reasons that seasonal rule is in place is because many ponds are stocked with trout and salmon in October and November in so ice fishers can catch them. The ALO and S7 rules give those fish time to disperse and adjust to the transition from hatchery to lake conditions.

[sploke]

I don't know the southern part of Maine well enough to suggest anyplace. I try to avoid going that close to Massachusetts. I can confirm that you are interpreting the rules correctly. One of the reasons that seasonal rule is in place is because many ponds are stocked with trout and salmon in October and November in so ice fishers can catch them. The ALO and S7 rules give those fish time to disperse and adjust to the transition from hatchery to lake conditions.

Awesome, thanks!  Makes sense.

[Moosekill]

I believe that you have read that correctly. 
Sebago you can't fish for or catch salmon during ice fishing.  Lots of togue, cusk.  The lake doesn't always completely freeze.  Lots and lots of togue, but can be very tricky if you don't know what you are doing.
Little Sebago whenever I have fished it has been mostly perch and bass.  Probably some salmon in it but others would have to answer.
Long Lake.  Caught a few salmon in here, lots of bass and perch and pickerel too. 

I live down here but prefer to fish further north/ east.

[sploke]

Thanks!  Right now I'm leaning toward Long Lake - it sounds like it has a good mix of species, stuff that we could actually keep if we want to, and looks like it is a good mix of a reasonable drive (about 4 hrs for me) with some rental cottages available right on the lake.  We really prefer to get up early and walk right out vs having to screw around with loading the cars and driving somewhere unfamiliar.

[sab]

Go thru Bridgton heading for Harrison.  You go over a  little rest stop, bridge and then there's a Harrison boat landing.  If you look out at the at the boat landing you'll see a point.  Anywhere around the point and the bridge (there's a bay).   Hope to see you there.  There also a boat landing in Naples & Bridgton.  Gets pretty busy on weekends

[sploke]

Go thru Bridgton heading for Harrison.  You go over a  little rest stop, bridge and then there's a Harrison boat landing.  If you look out at the at the boat landing you'll see a point.  Anywhere around the point and the bridge (there's a bay).   Hope to see you there.  There also a boat landing in Naples & Bridgton.  Gets pretty busy on weekends

Thanks for the tips.  Just booked a place on the west shore of the lake, straight across from Bluff Point and the island there.  Looks like there's some good access to deeper water through there, plus some shoals and stuff around the island.