If you fish for Salmon and Trout then you need to be aware of this issue. We don’t have those species in Clary Lake. The article points out that Bass can expel rubber worms from their system either by regurgitation or through their waste stream within 9 days. Good to know!
Category Archives: Fishing
21 May 2021: Rumor of Big Fish in Clary Lake Confirmed!
Dinky Fish
The rumor that there are big fish in Clary Lake has been confirmed! I don’t usually post fish pictures on the website but I’m happy to make an exception for this beauty, sent to me the other day by CLA member and friend Steve Viti. At 5 pounds, I’ll bet that was exciting to catch on the light tackle that Steve uses! Steve of course threw this fish back to grow some more. These big Bass are valuable breeders and should be returned to the lake as quickly as possible. If you’re looking for something to eat, harvest a small bass or two or have your fill of all the Black Crappie and White Perch you want- there are plenty of them in Clary Lake! In Maine’s Southern Zone, there is a 2 fish bag/possession limit for Large & Small Mouth Bass with no length limit, but only 1 may exceed 14 inches.
Get out there and catch something!
Free Fishing Mother’s Day Weekend
Cast a line and celebrate the special moms in your life
During Mother’s Day Free Fishing License Weekend, May 8-9, 2021, everyone is encouraged to cast a line and enjoy Maine’s many waterways with the special moms in their life.
On these days, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) who registers may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days.
This free fishing license weekend is in addition to the semi-annual free fishing weekends. June 5-6, 2021 is the next scheduled free fishing weekend.
We hope you have a memorable weekend fishing with the special individuals in your life. Remember to be safe: tell someone where you are going, and when you plan to return, and ALWAYS wear a life jacket when on the water – the water is extremely cold this time of year.
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23 March 2021: Maine IF&W Soft Plastic Lure Survey
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has put out a survey on the use of soft plastic fishing lures in Maine waters. These lures are particularly popular with Bass fishermen, and I use them myself. However, if you’re not using them and disposing of them correctly, they can constitute a hazard to fish. If you fish with soft plastic lures, please consider taking this survey. If you want to know more about soft plastic lures and how to use the correctly, here’s a great link with lots of information about soft plastic lures: Fishing with Soft Plastic Lures.
The following is an excerpt of an email that I received today with a link to the survey: Continue reading
7 January 2021: It’s Ice Fishing Season Again
The 2021 Ice Fishing season has started on Clary Lake. Dave Knight stopped by the State boat launch earlier today and took the picture at left. One of the fishermen said there was 8 inches of ice. As usual, be careful especially near inlets and in the channel where moving water could affect ice thickness.
If you’re going fishing, know Maine’s Fishing Laws! You’ll need a fishing license of course. Here’s a link to Maine’s Daily Bag, Possession and Length Limits. Clary Lake is in the South Zone and the daily limit on Bass (large mouth or small mouth) is 2 fish, no size limit. However, only 1 may exceed 14 inches. It would be nice if you threw ALL the big breeder Bass back. There’s no limit on other fish species that you’ll find in Clary including White and Yellow Perch, Pickerel, and Black Crappie.
Let’s see some fish pictures! Send them to George Fergusson and I’ll post them on this website.
Free Fishing Weekend Ahead!
Free fishing weekend is the perfect time to introduce someone to ice fishing!
During free fishing weekend, February 15 – 16, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days. Continue reading
26 January 2020: Yes There Are Black Crappie in Clary Lake
White Perch and Black Crappie photo by Joe Holland
We’ve known for some time that there were black crappie in Clary Lake, they started showing up back in 2015 as a result of illegal stocking (see: 28 May 2015: A Black Crappie caught in Clary Lake). They’re clearly now firmly established and it’s not at all uncommon to catch them! Jack Holland sent me this picture of some black crappie and white perch that his son Joe Holland (of The Jefferson Scoop fame!) caught last week on Clary Lake.
IF&W Fisheries Biologist Jason Seiders was not particularly happy to hear that there were Black Crappie being caught in Clary Lake when I spoke to him about it a couple of years ago. His recommendation was that if you catch them, keep them! I can attest, they are good eating, and fun to catch.