I braved Sunday's rainy mist to make a go at Little Ossipee in Waterboro. High water and cold surface water temperatures kept the fish at bay. I trolled live smelt around the deepest part of the lake (launch end). I made a complete perimeter pass of the deep end. I trolled smelt on the surface and to four feet down.

After several passes around the lake, I decided to concentrate my efforts on the western and northern shores. Both shores have provided good fishing this time of year for me. I particularly like the western shore that abuts route five. Its steep banks and varied bottom allow the salmon to corral the smelt into caverns along the bank. Ossippee is a put and take fishery. I hear there are still some good size salmon in the lake stocked for this year's Derby. I did not have any luck with salmon. I did pick up two Largemouths. Hey, they were barely hooked and had no fight in them.

I think this week’s weather will lead to improvements for Southern Maine fisherman. I may try Sokokis this afternoon. A fisherman, at the landing last year, told me there are Brown Trout in the Sokokis. What do you think? I have only fished it for bass and the water temps seem a little low for that. Little Ossipee’s surface water temps ranged from 48*F to 51*F. That's a good temp for salmonoids, but no luck.

I hear Jeff, from Rangeley Region Sport Shop, was walking on Rangeley Lake last week. He feels the lake will let loose around the second week of May which is typical for Rangeley. Other reports from around Sebago indicate good fishing. The folks at Naples bait shop report seeing some nice keepers coming out of Sebago Lake.

I may make a run to Sabatus Pond on Friday if I can afford the $3.00 a gallon for my truck. I’m glad I don’t have to fill up the boat that often. Those Honda engines are stingy and Hamlin’s Marine does a good job at keeping them going.

Does anyone know if Dan Higgins has caught a fish yet?

Be safe and have fun fishing!

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