We were glad to avoid all that shoveling. However, we need more snow or we risk losing many plants to the cold air. Snow is a great insulator and is often called “the poor man’s fertilizer.” The Sabbathday Lake Shakers have a longstanding farming history that goes back to the 1700s.

The village is still a working farm today including livestock, apples and herbs. The Shakers are raising Scottish Highland cattle for the first time in their history-they are an interesting breed and visually are mistaken for buffalo by many of our visitors.

This e-mail will tell you a lot more about herbs-an ongoing farm industry here. You can become involved with herbs and herbology at a variety of levels. This e-mail can be a starter course for a new pursuit. During the 2010 season we will be offering herb workshops led by Betsy-Ann Golon, our herbalist, who will also offer a two-month herb garden internship-for details visit www.shaker.lib.me.us or request a free flyer with details about the workshops and the internship-you can also call (207)926-4597.

Please also visit us at the Shaker Booth at the 2010 Portland (ME)Flower Show from March 10-14.

Excerpt from The Shaker Quarterly  – Summer 1963

THE SHAKERS AS HERB GROWERS
by Sr. Frances A. Carr

Shakers were among the first in this country to market herbs on a large scale.  When their societies were formed, the Believers were limited as to accommodations for the care of the sick; consequently, it was the natural thing that they, whose early existence and livelihood had depended largely on the soil, should recognize and utilize the medicinal qualities in the wild roots, herbs and other plants that grew in abundance about them.  Although they were used by the Shaker Families from early times and some had been sold to enable them to obtain medicines, herbs were not prepared for sale until 1800.

The first record of herbs sold was recorded at the Mount Lebanon Society on January 21, 1821, under “articles sold” and read: “for herbs, $1.15.”  To this date, only wild herbs had been gathered, but a demand was soon created for more Shaker herbs and in order to meet this need, large tracts of land were cultivated for the purpose of raising them.

What plants or herbs were first grown is not known, but to meet the growing requirement for them, it became necessary to purchase certain varieties from all parts of America as well as from abroad.  By 1826, such items as red rose, sweet marjoram, cicuta extract, saffron and lobelia were being imported by the Shakers.

Once established at Mount Lebanon, the herb industry was supervised by Bros. Eliab Harlow and Garrett Lawrence, under whose oversight a more systematic and scientific method was put into effect, giving special attention to the seasons for collecting the varieties of herbs and methods of preparation.  Names of plant species were obtained from the various manuals of botany (1817-1840) by Amos Eaton of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.

The following selection of plants and herbs give some idea of those popular during the year 1827, the names and prices of which were found in an old ledger and which are indicative of the variety sold:

2 lbs. skunk cabbage root            $      .75

1 lb. lycopus virginicus                        .50

1/4 lb. cicuta extract & jar                   .37 1/2

10 lbs. herbs @ 30 cents                    3.00

40 lbs. herbs ‘for vapor bath’              12.00

1 barrel green texas                           4.00

1 box herbs as pr. invoice                  46.50

1 box herbs and extracts                   34.80

1 jar violet blossoms                            .50

2 doz. bottles syrup liverwort             18.00

herbs & pills                                   158.00

1 lb. sweet marjoram                            .75

15 lbs. marshmallow                            4.50

liatris roots                                         .37 1/2

2 oz. peppermint oil & phial                    .56

6 lbs. whiteroot @ 50 cents                 3.00

6 lbs. foxglove @ 30 cents                   1.80

6 lbs. barks                                       1.80

Other items entered that same year do not include prices; these were: saffron, stramonium leaves, bittersweet, elder flowers, coltsfoot, bugle, mugwort, fleabane, basil, elm bark, horehound, sage, skullcap, spearmint, thyme, boneset, wild lettuce extract, borage, maidenhair and hyssop.

The year 1832 saw an ever-increasing demand for Shaker herbs and it became necessary to erect a large building in which to carry on the industry.  The structure was well equipped with what in that day was considered the most modern of equipment.  Driers, distillers and grinders increased the speed and efficiency of the work while long counters extending down the center were used by the sisters for boxing, packaging, and labeling the herbs for market.  One old journal records that “air in the herb houses was filled with the scent of potpourri and sweet lavender.”

About this time more attention was given to the preparation of extracts.  From past records we learn that the more popular during the year 1834 appear to have been cicuta, henbane, stramonium, hop, belladonna, butternut, dandelion, boneset and garden lettuce.  Accounts kept at Mount Lebanon give an idea of the rapid increase of the industry.  In 1831 about 4,000 lbs. of roots and herbs were sent to market, in 1836 it had increased to 6,000 lbs. and in 1849 it had reached 16,500 lbs.  By 1850 it became apparent that enlargements both to the house and machinery of the herb industry must be undertaken.  A steam boiler and vacuum pan added to the efficiency and in 1852 a twelve-horsepower steam engine was purchased.

The amount of herbs pressed at Mount Lebanon in 1850 was not less than 21,000 lbs. plus 7,000 lbs. of extract.  By 1853 the amount of roots, barks and herbs pressed amounted to 42,000 lbs., while the extract amounted to 7,500 lbs.  During this period the herb industry grew and flourished and was considered the most important of the Shaker industries.

Though each Society grew and sold herbs of all kinds, there seems to have been one within each that was more widely known and sold.  From Mount Lebanon came Mother Siegal’s Syrup or “Shaker Extract of Roots” as it was often known.  The formula for this syrup originated in Germany and was brought to this country about 1868.

Another much wanted herb medicine from Mount Lebanon was “Seven Barks”; this compound of fluid extracts in tincture form contained the following ingredients: blue flag, butternut, stone root, goldenseal, sassafras, bloodroot and black cohosh.  The usual dose was five to twenty drops.

Of all Mount Lebanon preparations, none received the acclaim or was more extensively used than the “Shaker Veratrum Viride” (American Hellebore).  A perennial herb of the United States, its roots make a powerful cathartic.  Considered a cure for almost every known malady or illness, doctors from all over the country testified to its therapeutic powers.  Writing on “Therapeutic powers and properties of Veratrum Viride”, Dr. W. C. Norwood of Cokesbury, South Carolina, had this to say:  “the first power or property we notice is that it is acrid, producing a peculiar warm and biting sensation in the mouth.  It excites rapid and continuous sneezing when the least quantity of the powdered root is applied to the nostrils.  It is also rubefacient, producing burning and redness when the tincture is applied to the surface, thereby often relieving pain.  It is a certain and valuable emetic, inducing free and easy vomiting.”  Used in the treatment of typhoid fever, pneumonia, scarlet fever, croup and whooping cough, it was not a narcotic with habit-forming powers but rather, a nervine.  In recent years this drug has enjoyed nenewed popularity as is evidenced by numerous articles published in contemporary medical journals.

The Believers of Canterbury, New Hampshire, were fortunate in having Br. Thomas Corbett to supervise their herb industry.  At thirty-three, his interest and considerable knowledge of herbs and medicine prompted Father Job Bishop and Mother Hannah Goodrich to ask him to take up the study of medicine.  Soon he became a much respected physician, contributing valuable service to his home, compounding the famous “Corbetts’s Shaker Sarsaparilla” as well as the equally renowned “Witch Hazel Tooth Ache Pellets”.

“Brown’s Fluid Extract of English Valerian” compounded at Enfield, New Hampshire, by Br. Samuel Brown of that Society remained in demand as late as 1897, though he died in 1856.  From his youth and for many years, he worked closely with Br. Ezekiel Evans, who was charged with raising and preparing herbs for the market.  Their work contributed considerably to the advance of the herb industry at Enfield.

While the societies in Maine had raised medicinal herbs since the first decade of the nineteenth century, they had not gained the reputation of the Mount Lebanon or New Hampshire societies.  Records do show that by 1825 the cultivation and packaging of herbs was profitably engaged in at the New Gloucester Society.  By 1864, when the Society issued its first printed catalogue of herbs, roots, barks and powders, there were 155 medicinal preparations offered in bulk as well as four sweet herbs for kitchen use.  In 1881, doctors and druggists throughout Maine became acquainted with a new Shaker herb preparation; the  “Shaker Tamar Laxative” soon became the most widely known of all herb preparations compounded there, an industry that proved to be a huge financial success until the 1890′s.

Sage was another popular herb sold by the New Gloucester Society.  On March 31, 1874, five barrels of herbs were packed and sent to Portland.  Nineteen years later, Br. William Dumont, then supervising the herb industry, sent five barrels of sage to the Thompson and Leighton firm, also in Portland.

A substantial part of the Shaker pharmaceutical trade, both buying and selling, was with wholesalers, though some business was done with retailers and individual friends of the communities.  Orders and inquiries came from practically every part of the country and from England, Australia, and France.

Though most Shaker herbs were medicinal agents, there were other uses.  The “fragrant waters”, particularly rose water, were sold as perfumes.  Lovage root, wild flagroot and horehound were used in confections.  Yellow dock was sold to manufacturers of a well-known sarsaparilla.  Sumac, madder, logwood, goldenrod and various barks such as butternut, oak, swamp maple, hemlock, chestnut and witch hazel were sold and used at home in the preparation of vegetable dyes.

Like so many other Shaker industries, the herb business soon met strong competition from the industrial world.  Large drug manufacturers were able to produce and distribute medicines at a fraction of the cost encountered by Shakers.  Nevertheless, Shaker herbs found an important place in the history of American medicine and though they were surpassed by this competition, their influence is still felt in many of the leading pharmaceutical preparations of the present age.

Contact Information

for Sabbathday Lake Shaker Library and Museum and Herb Departments

Mailing address:

United Society of Shakers
707 Shaker Road
New Gloucester, ME 04260
(207) 926-4597

Library email only: brooks1@shaker.lib.me.us

Office email: usshakers@aol.com

Directions to the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Museum and Library

The Shaker Village is located on Route 26, approximately 8 miles north of Exit 63 of the Maine Turnpike in Gray, Maine, and 8 miles west of Exit 75 (Auburn).

The Village is 25 miles north of Portland, and 12 miles west of Lewiston-Auburn.

From the south (Boston, Portland): Take Gray-Exit 63 off the Maine Turnpike. At the traffic light at the toll booth turn left to Route 26A. Go to the next set of traffic lights and bear right into Route 26A. Stay on Route 26A until it merges with ROUTE 26 NORTH. Follow ROUTE 26 NORTH for approximately eight miles to Shaker Village (watch for large black and white road signs).
From the North (Augusta, Bangor): Take Auburn Exit 75 off the Maine Turnpike. Turn right at the toll booth onto Routes 100, 4, 202. Follow that route for one mile and turn right onto Route 122. Follow Route 122 over hill and dale until you come to Route 26. Turn left onto Route 26 South. Follow Route 26 South for about 2 miles and you will be at the Shaker Village. The Village is about eight miles from Exit 12 (watch for road signs).
Meals are not available at the Village. A wide selection of restaurants are located within 10 minutes of the Village in the towns of Gray, New Gloucester, Poland, and Auburn.

For information about area accommodations, call the Maine Office of Tourism at 1-888-624-6345.

Other places to visit in the area:

• Maine State Building (998-4142)
• Maine Wildlife Park (657-4977)
• Olin Arts Center (786-6158)
• Outlet Beach on Sabbathday Lake (926-3388)
• Pineland Farms (688-4539)
• Poland Spring Bottling Plant (998-4315)
• Poland Spring Preservation Park (998-7143)
• Range Pond State Park (998-4104)

JANUARY

Ice Business: Elder William (Dumont), John Dorrington, and the hired men scraped the ice on Sabbathday Lake, which was 12″ thick. In three days the teams hauled 36 loads of more than 50 tons of ice in 20″ by 24″ cakes.  Brother Delmer (Wilson) took a photograph of activities at the Ice House.

Logging: The woodchoppers started logging despite unpredictable weather.  Elder William and Otis Campbell constructed a camp in the woods for the Mays to live while chopping.

Oval Carriers: Brother Delmer sawed out carrier boards at the mill.  He hand-planed most all of the wood and sawed out the bail handles.  Toward the end of the month, 171 carriers were completed – the first of many hundreds yet made this year.

Poland Spring Water Cases: Otis Campbell spent his spare time at the mill manufacturing wooden cases and covers and cases were taken in quantity to the bottling plant.

Apple Business: The Family had 146 barrels of apples for the English market.  True Merrill’s apple packers prepared them for export to Liverpool.  Although the quality of the fruit was poor, Merrill and Hackett agreed to sell them on commission.

Hauling Goods: The usual trips were made to the station to retrieve shipments of food and supplies.  Brother Delmer and the young Brethren sent cans of cream to the factory in Poland (Maine) throughout the month, when ready.  The Elders traveled as needed back and forth from Lewiston (Maine) and Portland (Maine) to conduct the Community’s financial affairs.  “These days we always travel to Lewiston by train.”

Poplarware: The Sisters wove 160 yards of poplar cloth for their sale work.  An improved method was introduced whereby the box sides were stiffened with pasteboard.  Eldress Lizzie (Noyes) purchased from the Canterbury Shakers a large paper cutter that cuts 30″ of pasteboard in a single pass.

Ailments and Infirmities: The dentist was kept busy.  Elder William suffered a toothache so severe that his face swelled and he was unable to finish the ice business.  Later in the month, Sisters Prudie (Stickney), Jennie (Mathers), and Kathleen had teeth extracted.  Sister Claire (Chase) was taken seriously sick and was pronounced by Doctor Sturgis to be unable to finish her term of teaching, so Sister Ada (Cummings) assumed charge of teaching at the Shaker School.

Visits and Visitors: Elder Arthur Bruce and our former Brother Chellis Wing arrived for a few days’ visit from Canterbury, New Hampshire.  Brother Washington (Jones) took Elder Arthur to Poland Springs.  Before the end of their visit Elder Arthur drilled the Quartette.  He gave their voices good reviews.  A few days later Eldress Lizzie and Sister Sirena Douglass spent three days at Canterbury.  Our sisters learned some improvements in the manufacture of the poplarware boxes.  Near the close of the month, Elder Henry Green from Alfred (Maine) arrived for a two-day visit.

Quick Links…

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Contact Information
phone: 207-926-4597

If late fall fishing is any indication, the ice fishing in southern Maine is expected to be very good this year.

Late fall fishing reports were excellent from anglers who fished through the extended open water season. Also, in recent years, fall stocked “catchable trout” have created expanded brook trout ice fishing and harvest opportunities for “hard water” anglers.  In addition, stocking enhancements include a limited expansion of the rainbow trout stocking program, which has produced some outstanding fishing reports from open water anglers. This exciting new program is also popular with winter anglers, although rainbows are a little more difficult to catch through the ice.

Furthermore, winter anglers will benefit from an unusually high number of retired brook trout brood (averaging 1.2 to 3 pounds) that was stocked this fall. Winter anglers also will benefit from some exceptionally large lake trout (averaging 10 pounds) that were stocked as retired brood from Governor Hill Hatchery. Almost every year brood salmon, brown trout, and brook trout are retired from southern Maine hatcheries and stocked in select area waters.

Anglers should review “Current Year Stocking Reports” on IF&Ws web site, http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/index.htm, to see what has been stocked in their favorite waters.

Anglers seeking fast early-season action should consider fishing “Catchable Trout” waters stocked in the fall with 12- to 14-inch brook trout. Some of these waters include: Otter Ponds #2 and #4 (Standish), Barker Pond (Lyman), Worthley Pond (Poland), Crystal Lake (Gray), Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Keoka Lake (Waterford), Bear Pond (Waterford), and Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham).  Round Pond (Lyman) also is well stocked with catchable brook trout BUT is reserved exclusively for youth under the age of 16 during the winter.

Bear Pond (Waterford), Bryant Pond (Woodstock), and Trickey Pond will offer the best splake fishing prospects and are best fished early in the season.

The region’s most promising lake trout prospects include Great East Lake (Acton), Sebago Lake (Naples), and Thompson Lake (Otisfield).  In addition to these wild lake trout fisheries, lake trout averaging 10 pounds were stocked in Little Ossipee Lake (Waterford) and Mousam Lake (Acton).

Rainbow stocking programs recently were started on Stanley (Hiram), Norway Lake (Norway) and Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro). We’ve received very good reports from anglers fishing Norway and Little Ossipee Lake. Small baits and jigging methods are most productive when targeting winter “bows”.

Salmon of above-average size may be found in a number of area lakes open to winter salmon fishing, including South Pond (Greenwood), Pleasant Pond (Casco), Kezar Lake (Lovell), Moose Pond (Bridgton).  In addition, adult hatchery salmon brood were stocked in waters where smelt are insufficient to provide rapid salmon grow, including Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), Thomas Pond (Casco), Tripp Lake (Poland), Mousam Lake (Acton), Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway), and Highland Lake (Windham).

There is no shortage of places to target brown trout, with approximately 35 area waters stocked.  Many of the brown trout waters receive light fishing pressure and produce quality fish, although catch rates are generally much lower for browns than other trout or salmon.

For those who still like to open water fish throughout the winter, there are several year-round river fishing opportunities in the region, which have been enhanced under increased fall stocking programs. These waters include the entire Presumpscot River, the Saco River (particularly below Skelton Dam, Hiram Dam), the lower Royal River (below Elm Street), and the Mousam River (Springvale/Sanford).  Open water trout fishing opportunities continue on stocked tidal rivers, including the Mousam (Kennebunk), the Ogunquit (Wells), and the Salmon Falls River (S. Berwick).

- Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray

Region B – Central Maine

As I write this, the thermometer outside my window reads a balmy 7 degrees.  Even if the sun shines, a run of days with similar temperatures will find lakes and ponds in the mid-coastal area freezing up. For anglers with a bent towards ice fishing, the timing is right.  As the waters solidify, many of these anglers will be turning their thoughts time spent on the ice.

The Mid-coastal region, which extends from the coast all the way to the Dexter area, has a diversity of winter fishing opportunities. As part of the Department’s fall stocking program, 64 lakes and ponds are stocked annually with brook trout, 40 with brown trout, and 36 with both species.  Rainbow trout are stocked in 3 waters.   There also are many waters where species, such as bass, white perch and pickerel, can be targeted.

The list of waters of what can be caught where in the region is a long one. (Please consult your Ice Fishing regulations book.) Some examples of brook trout waters are Minnehonk Lake in Mt. Vernon, Etna Pond, Etna, Pemaquid Pond, Damariscotta, Big Indian Pond, St. Albans, and Upper and Lower Narrows Ponds in Winthrop. For brown trout, try Androscoggin Lake in Wayne, Unity Pond, Unity, Alford Lake, Hope, Damariscotta Lake, Jefferson or Great Pond in Belgrade.

Anglers can pursue landlocked salmon in Parker Pond, Vienna (January only), Lake St. George, Liberty (January and February) and Swan Lake in Swanville (January and February). Lake George in Canaan has produced some very nice brookies and rainbows.  In addition to the salmonid species listed above, other fish species can be targeted at not only the waters described above, but at a myriad of smaller ponds, many of which are open early if safe ice is present.

Although we have been speaking of ice angling so far, our major rivers and some streams are open to open water fishing during the winter months. The Kennebec River from below Abenaki Dam in Madison to tidewater, the Nezinscot, Medomak and St. George rivers, Cobbossee Stream and lower Messalonskee Stream are examples of opportunities for anglers to wet a line. See the open water fishing regulations booklet for the rules on these particular waters.

As always, be sure to exercise caution whether going out on the ice or approaching a body of moving water.  Early winter ice conditions are extremely variable and deserve your full attention with respect to safety.  Be sure that ice is thick enough to support you and your gear or that access to open water is safe.  See you out there!

- Robert Van Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C – Downeast

There are many exciting fishing opportunities in the Downeast region for the 2010 ice fishing season, least of which are the many fine landlocked salmon fisheries scattered through out the area that biologists recommend. They include Cathance Lake in Cooper, West Grand Lake in Grand Lake Stream, Pocomcus Lake in T 6 ND, Long Pond in Southwest Harbor, Tunk Lake in T 10 SD and Phillips Lake in Dedham. Live capture netting this fall showed good salmon growth and numbers in all of these waters, which should equate to consistently good fishing in January and February.

In addition to these annually stocked salmon waters, retired brood stock landlocked salmon, between the sizes of 2.5 and 3.5 pounds, were stocked late this fall from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery. These larger salmon will create a buzz at the following waters where they were released:  Pleasant River Lake in Beddington with 65 salmon, Mopang Lake in T 29 MD with 65 salmon, Nashes Lake in Calais with 25 salmon, and Lower Springy Pond in Otis with 25 salmon.

Anglers in eastern Maine will find terrific brook trout fishing at the following biologist-recommended waters:  Second Mark’s Lake in Marshfield, Billings Pond in Blue Hill, Echo Lake in Southwest Harbor, Lakewood Pond in Bar Harbor, Tilden Pond in T 10 SD and Rainbow Pond in T 10 SD.

In addition the following lakes and ponds were stocked with the larger fall yearling trout that ranged between 12 and 14 inches and will make for some fun action through the ice:  Indian Lake in Whiting, Keenes Lake in Calais, Goulding Lake in Robbinston, Vining Lake in Cooper, Montegail Pond in T 19 MD, Craig Pond in Orland, Jacob-Buck Pond in Bucksport, Bubble Pond in Bar Harbor, Eagle Lake in Bar Harbor, Lower Hadlock Pond in Northeast Harbor and Round Pond in Somesville.  Indian Lake in Whiting and Keenes Lake in Calais were stocked with 50 large retired brood stock brook trout ranging in size between 2 and 3 pounds.

All of these waters hold exciting possibilities for some wonderful outdoor memories.  Good luck to all!

- Greg Burr, Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist, Jonesboro

Region D – Western Mountains

With nearly 15,000 catchable-size brook trout stocked specifically for winter anglers, the 2010 ice fishing season in western Maine should start with a splash. These attractive 12- to 15-inch fish were scattered in lakes throughout the region, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find some close to home.

The waters include Ellis (Roxbury) Pond in Roxbury, Crowell and Norcross Ponds in Chesterville, Webb Lake in Weld, Wilson Lake in Wilton, Porter Lake in New Vineyard, Wentworth and Baker Ponds in Solon, Smith Pond in Brighton, Wesserunsett Lake in Madison, Chain of Ponds in Chain of Ponds Twp., and Spring Lake in T3 R4. Baker, Smith, Webb, and Wesserunsett also received fall yearling brown trout that averaged 12-14 inches in length. As a bonus, Wilson Lake in Wilton was the recipient of 60 large togue; these retired brood fish weigh about 10 pounds apiece!

Winter anglers also love splake, and these will be available in Wentworth Pond, Lufkin Pond in Phillips, and Wyman Lake in Moscow.

So let the games begin, but as usual, please use common sense when traveling on the ice during the early part of the season, especially on the larger lakes that take a bit longer to freeze well.

- Dave Boucher, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong

Region E – Moosehead Region

The cold weather has finally arrived and the smaller ponds in the Moosehead Lake Region are starting to button up for the winter. As I write this report on Dec. 17, Moosehead Lake still is wide open and we will need a few calm, cold nights for the big lake to freeze over. Anglers should be cautious this time of year — no fish is worth a cold dip in a lake in the winter.

Anglers looking for a place to fish early in the season could try Big Wood Pond in Jackman. Big Wood Pond is usually at its best in early January and it is one of first ponds to have good ice. This pond is stocked in the fall with 12- to 14-inch splake, and it also received a number of retired brook trout brood fish this year.

Mountain View Pond and Prong Ponds also are early season favorites in the Greenville area. These waters generally have good ice early and are stocked regularly. These ponds are open as soon as ice forms, so you can try out your new gear from Christmas before the New Year.

In 2007, we liberalized the bag limits on lake trout on Moosehead Lake in an effort to reduce the overabundant population. We have been very successful.  We still are encouraging the harvest of lake trout less than 18 inches for one more winter. New regulations will go into effect in April 2010, including a reduction in the bag limit for lake trout over 18 inches from two fish to one fish. We had hoped to have this regulation in effect for this winter. However, because we are developing a new two-year law book that includes both summer and winter rules, it was logistically not possible. Therefore, we are asking anglers to voluntarily consider keeping just one lake trout over 18 inches from Moosehead Lake this winter and help protect some of the quality fish.

- Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville

Region F – Penobscot Valley Region

Fall Yearling Brook Trout

Once again, ice anglers should be excited to hear that this past fall more than 10,000 fall yearling-age brook trout were stocked in 14 of the region’s waters.  The fall yearling trout program has proven to be very popular, as these fish average about 1 pound each and generally provide fast fishing action, especially early in the season.

One particular water worth mentioning this year is Perch Pond (formerly Mud Pond) located in Old Town (Maine Delorme, Map 33, E-2), which was stocked for the first time ever with nearly 600 fall yearling brook trout and a few retired adult brood fish. No doubt, Perch Pond does not fit the typical mold of a Maine brook trout water.  It is quite shallow and has an abundance of warm water species of fish including pickerel, perch and bass.  So why bother to stock it with trout, you may ask?  What Perch Pond does offer is easy access to the pond via Sewall Park, which is plowed regularly by the Town of Old Town throughout the winter, and is in close proximity to a densely populated part of the region, making it an ideal location for a put-and-take brook trout fishery for anglers of all ages.  This is an experimental program, with future stockings hinged on angler interest and of course angler success.

“Kids Only” Ponds

Kids 15 years old and younger have several opportunities in Region F to be the star of the show, with some assistance from mom and dad when needed,of course.  Pickerel Pond, located at the Maine Youth Fish and Game Club beside the Stud Mill Road near Milford, Little Round Pond in Lincoln, Jerry Pond in Millinocket, Rock Crusher Pond in Island Falls, and Harris Pond in Milo are all kids only ponds that the Department stocks several times throughout the year with brook trout.  In fact, all of these ponds last fall received supplemental stockings of fall yearling brook trout ranging from 10 to 14 inches long, as well as retired brood stock ranging from 14 to 18 inches long.

Please visit the Department’s website for a complete listing of stocked waters across the state. http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/index.htm.

- Richard Dill, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Enfield

Region G – Aroostook County

The recent deep freeze will assist the freeze up of area waters for the upcoming ice fishing season.  Larger, deeper lakes will warrant considerable caution for the January 1 opening in spite of the cold weather.  Smaller lakes might be the safest bet for family fishing on opening weekend.

An ample supply of 12- to 14-inch brook trout have been stocked in Arnold Brook Lake in Presque Isle, Cochrane Lake in Linneus, Spaulding Lake in Oakfield, Nickerson Lake in New Limerick and Umcolcus Lake in T7R5 WELS just west of Rt. 11.

Nickerson and Arnold Brook Lake also received a number of 16- to 18-inch trout that were retired from our brood fish program.

Splake, very popular with our winter anglers, were stocked this fall in Drew’s Lake in Linneus and Squa Pan Lake in Masardis.  These 12- to 14-inch fish will afford great action in these two waters.

Round up the gear, buy some hot dogs and head for the lake – there won’t be any black flies.  Have a safe and enjoyable fishing season and maybe we’ll see you on the ice!

- Dave Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

Research Continuation of IFW’s Catchable Trout Study

Fisheries biologists from the Gray, Sidney, and Bangor offices will be conducting angler surveys on several stocked brook trout waters in central and southern Maine during the first four weeks of the 2010 ice fishing season. This is a continuation of our Catchable Trout Study, which focuses on improving angler success in stocked waters. The lakes and ponds included in the study are stocked with fall yearling brook trout and are listed below.

McGrath Pond (Oakland), Nequasset Lake (Woolwich), Biscay Pond (Bremen), Cochnewagon Pond (Monmouth), Crystal Pond (Gray), Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Flying Pond (Vienna), Salmon Pond (also known as Ellis Pond) (Oakland), Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham), Wilson Pond (Wayne), Keoka Lake (Waterford), Otter Pond #2 (Standish)

Biologists have interviewed thousands of anglers on these study waters during the previous two ice fishing seasons, compiling a huge amount of valuable information about the fishing opportunities that each water offers. Studies during the previous years have shown a wide variety of success rates for ice anglers seeking fall-stocked brook trout. When comparing the number of trout stocked in a particular water to the number of trout caught from that same water, success rates have varied from 1 percent to nearly 50 percent! This winter, anglers can do their best to catch their share of over 7,300 brook trout that were stocked throughout the study waters listed above.

Ice anglers seeking brook trout in central and southern Maine will most likely be fishing lakes and ponds that are stocked in the fall with 10-14 inch trout by IFW’s Hatchery Division. IFW’s goal is to provide trout fishing opportunities in waters that do not sustain year round brook trout fisheries for a variety of reasons such as: lack of suitable cold-water habitat in summer, competing fish species, or no brook trout spawning habitat. That said, in addition to the stocked brook trout many of these waters offer a variety of species that can make a great day of fishing such as brown trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, white perch, and pickerel.

This will be the final winter assessment of the Catchable Trout Program. With the assistance of numerous ice anglers we hope to gain a better understanding of where catchable trout perform best and how to maximize angling success.

Hope to see you on the ice!

- Jason Seiders, Research Fisheries Biologist, Bangor