Fishing Sebago Feb 14 & 15

[pikeaddict]

Making the trip over next weekend, and staying/fishing with a friend in Windham.  Going to try for some crappie and togue.  Cant fish my usual togue spots on Champlain, no safe ice as of yet.  I've been doing some home work and was looking at parking at the Raymond boat launch and fishing Jordan Bay.  Am I correct in saying that Jordan Bay to Lower Bay is fishable, but not the broad lake NNW of Frye Island?  I would be hoofing it around, so I probably wouldn't be fishing past Frye Island anyways.

[icewoman]

Considering that the Lake isn't completely frozen/safe.....And the Derby is that weekend.  I'm sure you'll have plenty of people out there!

[TwoLightsKid]

You are correct about the conditions as they stand now.  There are still plenty of weak spots hidden by all the snow we've had, so go carefully even where it looks safe.  If you're going to be on foot, bring snowshoes or cross country skis and a smitty sled for your gear, or you will have a tough time getting anywhere with all the snow on the ice. 

Lots of cold in the 10 day forecast, so big bay could be frozen by the time you get here, but if so it won't have been for long and likely still far from safe.

[pikeaddict]

Considering that the Lake isn't completely frozen/safe.....And the Derby is that weekend.  I'm sure you'll have plenty of people out there!

Yeah, usually I try to avoid derbies.  I've looked into other water bodies in the area, but I am really wanting to get into some Sebago slabbers, and maybe a Togue or two. 

I will make sure to bring the snow shoes, and keep my one map flip light.

Thanks for the help.

[MadFisha]

I thought the derby was held on the weekend of the 21 and 22.

[tundra redneck]

I thought the derby was held on the weekend of the 21 and 22.

lol you thought wrong

[xphelanx]

I thought the derby was held on the weekend of the 21 and 22.

http://www.icefishingderby.com/sebago-derby/

[Smelt Head 47]

Derby is the 14-15 for sebago. As of right now Raymond beach hasn't been plowed. Can't even get into the parking lot.

[BrownTroutBoy]

2 weeks ago I counted 62 shacks on lower bay alone, it was busy.

[pikeaddict]

http://www.icefishingderby.com/sebago-derby/

I see they have prizes for pike, but Sebago doesn't have a real fishable population of pike is that correct? 
I get plenty of that action here on Champlain, but still curious.

[codyp33]

You can get into some good pilke if your in the right spot

[TwoLightsKid]

Not a ton of pike in Sebago, and never likely to be due to lack of spawning marsh area for them, but there certainly are some.  I got a 13 lb a couple of years ago, and I'm sure larger ones have been caught. 

From what I've read, deep clear lakes with minimal spawning habitat like sebago tend to produce few but large pike. I'm sure there are some monsters in there.  Wouldn't surprise me of someone catches a 30 lb fish out of there eventually while fishing for something else.

[pikeaddict]

From what I've read, deep clear lakes with minimal spawning habitat like sebago tend to produce few but large pike. I'm sure there are some monsters in there.  Wouldn't surprise me of someone catches a 30 lb fish out of there eventually while fishing for something else.

I would agree with both statements.

I may have to have a couple pike rigs with me.  I was going to hit up Sebago bait before heading out. Generally smelt is good option for pike/trout, not a big fan of suckers.  Never had much luck with them, but you can turn them into swiss cheese and they keep kick'n. Are jumbo golden shiners (over 6in) available at the bait shops in Maine? 
Our bait in VT is pathetic, unless you go to a Champlain only dealer. 

[tundra redneck]

Is any of the snow packed down on the lake, I want to go Saturday, i don't mind walking but I got my old tundra if I need it, I don't care either end

[woodchip]

There is one reason why I don't fish Sebago any more.Fish Lengths:  No Togue will be accepted for Derby entry between 23 inches and 33 inches.

[Hoppes]

I would bring the Tundra.  There should be plenty of parking at Jordan Beach.  Lot of room to fish in just Jordan Bay.  Plenty of better places to fish on Sebago but I've caught nice lakers in the bay.  Free fishing days during the derby, Maine license not required, just letting you know.  Good to see you come up, good luck!  I'll be out there!

[Sinnian]

I would bring the Tundra.  There should be plenty of parking at Jordan Beach.  Lot of room to fish in just Jordan Bay.  Plenty of better places to fish on Sebago but I've caught nice lakers in the bay.  Free fishing days during the derby, Maine license not required, just letting you know.  Good to see you come up, good luck!  I'll be out there!

You mean Raymond Beach.  Someone seeing Jordan may venture over to the Rt 114 side.  Although it was buttoned up on that side this morning, I am guessing this wind tonight and tomorrow will break it up.

[gradysjeep]

There is one reason why I don't fish Sebago any more.Fish Lengths:  No Togue will be accepted for Derby entry between 23 inches and 33 inches.

Whats the problem that is the law on Sebago.  Can't change it just for the derby.   Under 23" are the best to eat anyway and if you catch a real big one over 33" you can keep one.  I don't mind the slot allows those 5-10 lb fish to grow into real biggins.

[Hoppes]

I did mean Raymond Beach, thanks for the correction!

[woodchip]

The few times I get a few kids out on Sebago I don't want to tell a kid he's too big have to throw him back 23"to33" I'll take them jigging Perch.  Catch a prime fish for eating Smoking and throw him back .  Screwed up law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GasBlaster]

In a few years you can take those kids and catch 33+ inchers because they didn't head to the smoker at 27 inches .  patience grasshopper

[gamefisher]

In a few years you can take those kids and catch 33+ inchers because they didn't head to the smoker at 27 inches .  patience grasshopper

Agreed.  But yet, everything done down on Sebago is being done under the guise of "salmon management."   

[sebagosalmo]

Agreed.  But yet, everything done down on Sebago is being done under the guise of "salmon management."   

The Laker fishing is pretty amazing on Sebago 

As for the Salmon the catch rates are way up in the last 2 years . The average size quality is up as well from the State reports Salmon are averaging 18-24 inches and weights are in the correct ratios with length average fish. The weights are 2 lbs - 4 lbs with some 5- 7 lb fish being caught as well !

The lake seems to be healthy !

The unknown is the elwive population and the effects it will have on the smelts and Salmon in the near future 

Time will tell 

[joefishmore]

I would bring the Tundra.  There should be plenty of parking at Jordan Beach.  Lot of room to fish in just Jordan Bay.  Plenty of better places to fish on Sebago but I've caught nice lakers in the bay.  Free fishing days during the derby, Maine license not required, just letting you know.  Good to see you come up, good luck!  I'll be out there!

Somebody above just said above that the parking lot hasn't been plowed .

[woodchip]

How many Fish has Your son caught over 23"   He'll be Married and gone before that happens.

[BrownTroutBoy]

How many Fish has Your son caught over 23"   He'll be Married and gone before that happens.

The slot limit is the best thing to happen! starting to see more fish at the north end of the slot already, 5 more years and that place will be a monster laker factory. I don't understand why people have such a hard time letting average sized fish go?

[JDK]

, 5 more years and that place will be a monster laker factory.

I'll be down.

[cchase]

There is no problem with a slot. It works in many situations with a variety of species and on many bodies of water. Its light years ahead of them electro fishing or netting fish out of a body of water IMO. The kids argument is a little played out. I think its ridiculous to think the only way to get a kid interested in something is to kill everything. Like it or not conservation is the key to the future if we had thought this way 30 years ago we would not be having this conversation today. Teaching kids that its about the experience and that as a sportsmen its their responsibility to make sacrifices to ensure a better future needs to be the attitude. Yes it is ultimately about the salmon and smelts however the slot allows to cull smaller fish and still ensure that it produces trophy's.   

[ice cracker]

The few times I get a few kids out on Sebago I don't want to tell a kid he's too big have to throw him back 23"to33" I'll take them jigging Perch.  Catch a prime fish for eating Smoking and throw him back .  Screwed up law!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

According to the biologists it's best for the lake.

[joefishmore]

THE BIOLOGISTS ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PUT TOGUE IN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE ?
YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING THEY SAY.