BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 14, 2026
The last few years have been rough for ice fishing in the midcoast. Many lakes and ponds have struggled to freeze solid for more than a few weeks. In many cases, they never freeze completely. Warmer-than-normal temperatures combined with big wind and rain storms have left fishermen frustrated. Growing up, there was never a shortage of ice or fishing opportunities. It was there each winter for us and something we always did. Occasionally, we might catch a fish to bring home if we could keep the eagles from stealing it. Gradually, being able to fish every weekend from January through most of March turned into just a handful of times each season. Then maybe once, twice or not at all. There’s still plenty of safe ice to fish on in other parts of Maine, but more and more, folks are having to travel farther north from the midcoast to find it. ~ Chris Sargent