• Chilly January Fishing Forecast: Smelt, Trout, and Pike Await Anglers in Maine's Waterways

  • Jan 31 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Chilly January Fishing Forecast: Smelt, Trout, and Pike Await Anglers in Maine's Waterways

Listen for free

View show details

  • Summary

  • Hello there, fellow anglers This is Artificial Lure, and I'm here to give you the lowdown on the fishing scene in and around the Atlantic Ocean, Maine, for this chilly January 31st.

    First off, let's talk about the tides. For those of you planning to hit the waters around Rockland, here are the tide times for today: low tide at 5:42 AM, high tide at 11:52 AM, low tide again at 6:18 PM, and high tide once more at 11:46 PM. Over at Fort Popham on the Kennebec River, you're looking at a high tide at 12:13 AM, low tide at 5:54 AM, another high tide at 12:13 PM, and a final low tide at 6:27 PM[2][5].

    The weather is crisp, with temperatures barely climbing out of the teens, but that's perfect for ice fishing and some saltwater action. Sunrise today is at 6:54 AM, and sunset will be at 4:45 PM.

    Now, let's dive into the fish activity. While the saltwater scene is a bit quiet due to the cold, there's still some action to be had. In the Kennebec River and Merrymeeting Bay region, smelt are still staging in larger portions, and anglers are setting up their smelt camp shacks to take advantage of this. These smelt are attracting a variety of fish, including salmonoids, which are fond of them[1].

    For those venturing into freshwater, Sebago Lake is starting to lock up with ice, and areas a mile out are already sporting ice. This bodes well for ice fishing, with reports of togue (lake trout) being caught close to shore as they push bait into shoal water. Don't forget to set up traps for pike as well, as they prowl these waters[1].

    If you're looking for some hot spots, consider heading to Sebago Lake, where you can target lake trout and pike. Another great spot is the Exeter River, which is locked in with ice and dotted with bob houses catching smelt. For a more diverse catch, check out Thomas Pond, Crescent Lake, Highland Lake, and Chaffin Pond, all of which hold a mix of warm water species and some stocked brook trout[1].

    When it comes to lures and bait, for ice fishing on Sebago Lake, using sucker bait for pike and smelt for salmonoids is a good strategy. For lake trout, try using 3-pound fluorocarbon and white Clam blade spoons, as recommended by Tim Moore of TimMooreOutdoors[1].

    In summary, while the cold weather might be biting, the fishing opportunities around Maine are heating up. Whether you're on the ice or braving the saltwater, there's plenty of action to be found. So bundle up, grab your gear, and get out there – the fish are waiting
    Show more Show less
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Chilly January Fishing Forecast: Smelt, Trout, and Pike Await Anglers in Maine's Waterways

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available