The County 2017 | Aroostook County Tourism | Page 16

THE COUNTY | 2017
FINALLY PERFECTING YOUR FLY CAST.
Pheasants flushed from sleep, shattering the golden silence of
the dawn. Age-old secrets passed from generation to generation.
FISHING IN THE COUNTY
Aroostook County offers countless ponds and lakes and miles of free-flowing
water that contain a variety of trophy species, including wild or native brook
trout, smallmouth bass, and salmon.
Warm-water anglers will find smallmouth bass plentiful in East Grand Lake,
Mattawamkeag Lake, Pleasant Pond and several other lakes in southern and
central Aroostook. Further north, cold-water anglers will find some pristine
salmon and trout fishing. The St. John River and tributaries offer the only
wild muskie fishery in the Eastern U.S. Deboullie Pond is great for rare
land-locked Artic char.
A top spot for landlocked salmon is Long Lake. Part of the Fish River Chain of
Lakes—an area larger than the state of Connecticut—it’s famous for traditional
coldwater species. The Fish River Lakes region is also an ideal ice-fishing
destination. Snow and ice come early and stay late, and numerous snowmobile
trails afford excellent opportunities to access the lakes for fishing trips.
HUNTING IN THE COUNTY
Hunters head to Aroostook for massive moose, ten-point bucks, elusive
black bear, an abundance of waterfowl, and wild turkey. The hunt is a deeply
ingrained cultural experience going back generations, thanks to the abundant
wildlife found among millions of acres of forest and thousands of acres
of agricultural land.
The biggest prize is the moose, weighing as much as 1,000 pounds and often
sporting racks exceeding 60 inches. Hunted in deep woods and on the border
between forest and farm, hunters have had recent success rates exceeding 90
percent, attesting to the animal’s strong presence in Aroostook. Moose are
hunted each fall in a split season; licenses are awarded by lottery each spring.
YOU’LL NEED A LICENSE FOR THAT.
Whether fishing or hunting in Maine you must possess the proper license. It is
important to be informed on our laws, guidelines, and the varying seasons.
Blaze orange clothing is required when hunting during the firearms hunting
season on deer, the muzzle-loading season on deer, or within an open moose
hunting district during moose hunting season.
Visit Eregulations.com/maine/hunting for Maine hunting information or
Maine.gov for up-to-date season information and to purchase a license.
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