SABATTUS POND, ME

This 1,973-acre lake has a maximum depth of 19 feet and an average depth of 14 feet. In addition to trophy pike and smallmouth fishing, Sabattus features healthy populations of chain pickerel, largemouth bass, white perch, black crappie and yellow perch. Maine’s Department of Game and Inland Fisheries periodically stocks the lake with alewives, which provides healthy forage for gamefish. Sabattus is a high quality fishing destination during the winter ice fishing season. A well maintained public boat ramp is located off Lake St in Lewiston, Maine, just minutes from route 95.

Pike are the main attraction on Sabattus, and also the most numerous predator species. Due to their large population, their size tends to average on the smallish side, from about three to six pounds. Nevertheless, some very large, trophy-size gators are still living in these waters, up to and over 20 pounds. The best technique for ice fishing for pike (and smallmouth bass) is to use a heavy duty tip-up with a high-quality spool and drag mechanism, fully spooled with fresh braided line. Jumbo shiners are the main bait of choice; normally about four to six inches in length, available for purchase in some of the local bait shops. White perch and black crappie can also be caught in decent numbers. Using a portable fishfinder, locate prime areas where they school up, then jig with light ice-spinning tackle, using small spoons and jigs tipped with a tiny strip of bait. These fish are fun to catch and excellent fare on the dinner table.

This year the 6th annual Fish for a Cure (FFAC) Pike Fishing Derby will be held on Sabattus Pond on Saturday, February 1. The FFAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to fundraising in support of the fight against breast cancer. The derby offers hundreds of prizes in the form of door prizes, raffles and cash awards. Prizes include pack baskets, ice fishing tip-ups, augers, live bait containers, ice shacks, and more. “Many people dress in pink to support breast cancer awareness,” said derby participant Russell Peters. “Usually they have prizes for the group that has the most [pink] or is the most creative.” The derby has become a popular midwinter event in the Lewiston area, so be sure to arrive early if you want a prime spot – several hours before sunrise to be exact. “We normally drill our holes in the dark and put our traps out with the flag up to ensure no one will get too close to us,” said Peters. “We are ready to go as soon as daylight hits.” Their first year in the derby, Peters’ group entered with ten people, hauling 25 to 30 dozen live baitfish. The fishing was so hot that year that they ran out of bait by 10 a.m. “We were catching them on dead bait they were so active that day,” recalled Peters. “We consistently caught them two to six pounds and the biggest probably pushing seven pounds.” Peters recommended using 30- to 40-pound fluorocarbon leaders and heavy-duty braid ice fishing line to keep those big, toothy, fighters on till the end. “It’s a shallow pond so you are mostly fishing five to nine feet of water at the most.” Peters and crew likes to set up a pattern of tip-ups with baits beginning at about five feet off the bottom, and then steadily raising them up the water column from tip-up to tip-up until they have the last few set just below the ice. “It’s a lot of fun and a lot of action,” said Peters. ‘A good place to bring kids as well.”