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Maine Sportsman
June 1997
Lollapalooza Landlocks -
Five Top Maine Landlocked Waters MUNSUNGAN LAKE
Munsungan Lake, a 1,,415 acre water surrounded by wilderness, produces smaller salmon
than the other four waters, but it provides a remote setting, with gravel-road access and
little development.
The conifer-covered shoreline rises steeply from the water, and the sheer beauty of the
place is reason enough for coming. Check MAG, Map 56, C-4 and C-5 to orient yourself.
"Salmon in the 2 1/2 to 3-pound range are common, and landlocks up to five pounds
are possible on any day. Fish larger than that are rare," said Robert "Allagash
Bob" Cram of Medway, "There's also some hefty brookies here. My favorite time to
fish is in late June when brown drakes hatch."
These drakes are Hexagenia recurvata and measure 1 1/4 inches long, excluding the tail.
These meaty mouthfuls draw salmon and trout to the surface, providing the best sport Maine
has to offer, big salmonids after dry flies.
This water has a maximum depth of 123 feet and holds smelt, cusk and whitefish in
addition to brookies and salmon. Because of the smelt, it makes sense to use
smelt-imitating flies or lures. Because of rich insect hatches, an array of flies can mean
the difference between success or failure. Wooly buggers and Slaymaker's little brook
trout also score well.
Near the west shore from the inlet flowing from Chase Lake to in front of Reed Brook on
the heel of the lake is the best place to fish for salmon. Allagash Bob's favorite spot
lies in the cove at the mouth of the inlet.
Depending on weather, ice-out occurs at the end of the first week in May, according
Allagash Bob. Fishing is good from then through late June and early July and again in
September. Astute anglers take fish all summer, though, particularly during evening
hatches.
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