Above-average temperatures, along with recent storms, are creating conditions that are weakening ice throughout the state. Rivers and streams still are high, causing substantial amounts of water to flow into lakes, opening up inlets and outlets and creating dangerous conditions. Also, power companies recently have performed routine draw-downs of water that changed ice conditions, especially along shorelines.

The state’s larger lakes have substantial swatches of open water, and in southern Maine many of the smaller lakes and ponds are opening up.

Because of insufficient ice in parts of the state, promoters of the 10th Maine Chevrolet Derby, a statewide ice fishing derby, decided Tuesday night to cancel the event, which was scheduled for March 6-7.

According to derby promoter Tom Noonan, only six of the 25 fish weigh stations reported having two feet of ice or more. For more information, visit www.icefishingderby.com.

The Maine Warden Service is advising that people to be cautious. Do not drive heavy vehicles, such as cars or trucks, onto lakes or ponds. Any snowfall, such as that forecasted for tonight in parts of Maine, may blanket any open water. Persons unfamiliar with a lake or pond are advised not to go on them, particularly at night.

Some parts of the state, primarily ponds in northern Maine, have ice. But Game Wardens are advising that its thickness should be checked before venturing onto its surface.

The Maine Warden Service offers these tips for ice safety:

· Never guess the thickness of the ice – Check it! Check the ice in several different places using an auger or some other means to make a test hole and determine the thickness. Make several, beginning at the shore, and continuing as you go out.

· Check the ice with a partner, so if something does happen, someone is there to help you. If you are doing it alone, wear a lifejacket.

· If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off! Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and dark ice are other signs of weak spots.

· Avoid areas with currents, around bridges and pressure ridges. Wind and currents can break ice.

· Parents should alert children of unsafe ice in their area, and make sure that they stay off the ice.

If you break through the ice, remember:

· Don’t panic.

· Don’t try to climb out immediately – you will probably break the ice again. Reach for solid ice.

· Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. Once on the ice, roll, DON’T WALK, to safety.

· To help someone who has fallen through the ice, lie down flat and reach with a branch, plank or rope or form a human chain. Don’t stand. After securing the victim, wiggle backwards to the solid ice.

Our regional fisheries biologists preview the upcoming season in their annual Ice Fishing Preview. This is an informative guide to what fish have been stocked and where, and biologists’ picks of great ice fishing hot spots!

To view the preview on our website, visit http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/weekly_biologist/index.htm

For a printable pdf version, select this link: http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/pdfs/2010icefishpreview.pdf

Happy Fishing!

AUGUSTA – The Maine Warden Service is urging people to not venture out onto any ice that may be covering Maine’s waterways.

Throughout Maine, the state’s lakes and ponds may appear to be frozen in parts or their entirety, but safe ice conditions cannot be assumed even though temperatures have been below freezing in recent days and at night. Also, any snow covering thin layers of ice acts as insulation and slows the freezing process.

“There are no safe ice conditions anywhere in the state right now,” said Col. Joel Wilkinson, chief warden of the Maine Warden Service. “I understand that people are anxious to begin winter activities, such as ice fishing and snowmobiling. But don’t risk your life or the lives of others by traveling onto thin ice.”

As the temperatures continue to fall in the coming weeks, and the ice begins to thicken, the Maine Warden Service is recommending that people check the thickness of any ice before venturing out for any activity on frozen water.

If you must go on the ice this winter, the Maine Warden Service offers these tips for ice safety:

· Never guess the thickness of the ice – Check it! Check the ice in several different places using an auger or some other means to make a test hole and determine the thickness. Make several, beginning at the shore, and continuing as you go out.

· Check the ice with a partner, so if something does happen, someone is there to help you. If you are doing it alone, wear a lifejacket.

· If ice at the shoreline is cracked or squishy, stay off! Watch out for thin, clear or honeycombed ice. Dark snow and dark ice are other signs of weak spots.

· Avoid areas with currents, around bridges and pressure ridges. Wind and currents can break ice.

· Parents should alert children of unsafe ice in their area, and make sure that they stay off the ice. If they insist on using their new skates, suggest an indoor skating rink.

If you break through the ice, remember:

· Don’t panic.

· Don’t try to climb out immediately – you will probably break the ice again. Reach for solid ice.

· Lay both arms on the unbroken ice and kick hard. This will help lift your body onto the ice. Once on the ice, roll, DON’T WALK, to safety.

· To help someone who has fallen through the ice, lie down flat and reach with a branch, plank or rope or form a human chain. Don’t stand. After securing the victim, wiggle backwards to the solid ice.

In this issue you will find information about a study done on the use of rubber or soft plastic lures for fishing and the effects this may be having on our fisheries. Anglers are encouraged to use biodegradable lures.

There’s also an article about the awards presented as part of the success of the recovery of bald eagles in Maine from the endangered list, a story of how 46 acres have been added to the Scarborough Wildlife Management Area, Warden of the Year honors, 2009 winter field study on Canada lynx, all about snakes in Maine, bears and bird feeders, the Open Water Fishing Report and tons more.

Tom Remington

This edition contains an update of IFW’s efforts to get a handle on how many “Any Deer” permits it will issue by Wildlife Management District for next fall’s deer hunting season. IFW reminds hunters that following the harsh winter of 2007-2008 a “lag period” exists in which it will take a few years to rebound the deer herd losses. Officials state that 9 WMDs in the south central part of the state are at or near population objectives.

IFW will participate in the Spill of National Significance drill to be held in Portland, Maine in 2010. Portland is the second largest oil importing port on the east coast and all involved parties are encouraged to take part in the drill.

The “Insider” reminds moose hunting enthusiasts that this year’s lottery will be held June 18th at the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus. Skinny Moose Media and the Black Bear Blog are in the planning stages and hope to attend the event and broadcast live online. More information to follow.

Richard Hoppe, regional biologist files a report on the effort to capture and release wild turkey’s into Aroostook County in Northern Maine.

This edition of the Insider also has some great information on how to manage, maintain and protect your bird feeder. This contains information on how to prevent birds at your feeder from getting sick and dying.

And, this issue also includes the first segment of this year’s open water fishing report.

Don’t miss out on what’s going on the “Insider”. All of this and more can be found there.

Tom Remington

In this month’s edition you’ll find a story of Maine biologist Charlie Todd receiving an award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for his work on bald eagles in Maine.

10 year old Odin Jubinville, works with Baxter State Park personnel to earn a scouting merit badge and the announcement of a new website by MDIFW that will list all registered boat ramps and access sites, can also be found in this month’s addition. Plus, MDIFW officials work to trap and transfer wild turkeys into parts of northern Maine and tons of other stories and information.

Click this link to view your edition of “Insider”.

Tom Remington

This edition has a report and update on this year’s dismal Maine deer harvest, tips for a successful spring turkey hunt, information on feeding wildlife, a story on finding a rare black racer snake in Maine, an update on the harvesting of rockweed along Maine’s coast and other bits of news, information and photographs, including a photo of a record togue taken through the ice on Moosehead Lake.

Tom Remington

In this edition you can get information about the new process to apply for a chance at a moose permit, great stuff about monitoring efforts of Maine’s hibernating black bears, tons of news, information and reports, including the latest ice fishing reports from all the regions around the state.

Tom Remington

Tom Remington

Tom Remington