Olivia Benedict of Fishin4Adventure lands her first fish of 2026 — a big rainbow trout. Credit: Courtesy of Olivia Benedict

Early ice fishing opportunities in Maine exist in December on specific lakes and ponds, but the official statewide season typically begins Jan 1.

So far, cold temperatures have created good ice conditions for early-season fishing, and what better way to spend New Year’s Day than on the ice?

These anglers got right after it.

Olivia Benedict of Fishin4Adventure landed her first fish of 2026 — a big rainbow trout.

“Fishin4Adventure is a YouTube Channel that focuses on getting people outside and adventuring,” Benedict said.

Clockwise, from top left: Scott Carbone’s 18-inch rainbow was stuck on a limb at Kennebunk Pond. Six holes later, with help from Rich Laverriere, the fish was safely released. Courtesy of Tim Guinard; Owen, 8, of Naples, shows off a landlocked salmon he landed in a pond in Raymond. Courtesy of Brian Rawls; Ashley Benway of Levant shows off a 39-inch, 15-pound northern pike she landed on the ice. Courtesy of Ashley Benway; Justin Moore shows off a 23-inch brook trout from Moosehead Lake. Courtesy of Justin Moore

Her channel has previously held ice fishing seminars with other YouTube channels, including Joe Holland Fishing. Benedict said a video of her catch should be online in a week or so.

Doug Kane shows off a beautiful 22-inch brook trout, estimated 5 pounds. Credit: Courtesy of Doug Kane

Doug Kane caught a big brook trout, and Justin Moore also landed some impressive brookies.

Kane’s fish measured 22 inches, and he estimated it weighed about 5 pounds.

Moore was fishing on Moosehead Lake. His group caught seven fish in total, with two measuring 23 inches, the biggest of the day.

Ashley Benway of Levant caught her personal-best northern pike, which measured 39 inches and weighed 15.08 pounds.

“So amazing. I can’t believe it still,” she said.

And let’s not forget the kids. It’s great to see youth staying active outdoors and having success on the ice.

Nathanial Cherry of Old Town snapped this photo of his daughters, Savannah and Stella. They each caught a brook trout and had many flags throughout the day.

Savannah and Stella of Old Town each hooked a brook trout yesterday. Courtesy of Nathanial Cherry.

Young angler Chase was all smiles with a 23-inch, 4½-pound splake. Fishing with Brook and Joe, they had eight flags and caught four fish total.

Clockwise, from top left: Chase shows off a 23-inch, 4.5-pound splake from yesterday’s outing. Courtesy of Willy C’s Bait and Tackle; A productive day on the ice for Brook, Chase and Joe with 8 flags and 4 fish. Courtesy of Willy C’s Bait and Tackle; Sophia and Karson enjoy a productive day, landing lake trout in Bowerbank. Courtesy of Adam Armitage.

Sophia and Karson were fishing in Bowerbank and caught a couple of togue. They didn’t land the sunfish they had been talking about all day, but were excited about their catches.

“It can never be a bad day of fishing when the young ones are smiling and laughing,” Karson’s father, Adam, said.

Owen, 8, of Naples, also had success, landing a landlocked salmon from a pond in Raymond.

One fish story took a little extra effort: Scott Carbone was fishing on Kennebunk Pond in Lyman when his 18-inch rainbow trout got hung up on a large limb.

After drilling six holes and careful jigging, Carbone, with help from Rich Laverriere, was able to free both the fish and the branch. The rainbow was safely released.

Susan Bard is the Bangor Daily News outdoors editor. She has worked in wildlife biology for agencies across the country on various research and management projects, and is also a registered Maine Guide...

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *