Big Night!

As I write this post tonight (3/31/19), it is 48 degrees with a steady rain falling. These are classic conditions for "Big Night", an annual migration of amphibians in the Maine woods. For me, it is not officially spring until I've heard the peepers, but by the time their deafening calls are ringing from every local wetland, the legendary big night is already a week or so in the rear view mirror. Wood frogs and spotted salamanders are the first amphibians in our area to awaken from their long winter dormancies under leaf litter or deep underground in the forest. They do so immediately looking to reproduce. The terminus of their migration is a vernal pool. These are seasonal wetlands brimming with recent snow melt that provide critical nursery habitat for fast developing frog and salamander larvae.

 A wood frog hiding along the bank of a vernal pool

Not every big night is created equal. On years with little rain and a gradual early onset of spring temperatures, the breeding activity can be drawn out over the course of a couple of weeks. This year has set up to be a great one as cold temperatures have hung on into late march culminating with two warm days and a rainy night. You can bet that thousands of wood frogs and spotted salamanders will be on the move in southern and coastal York county this evening.

A spotted salamander encountered on a class trip to the vernal pool

The way the schedule shook out this year, it will be the first time in a quite a while that I have not taught at least one section of Maine Fish & Wildlife in the spring. Vernal pools are always a big part of my spring curriculum in MEF&W. Few other units provide such a direct opportunity for the creation of a memorable learning experience. Students can be introduced to a suite of creatures in the classroom, then head out the door to see and hear them, all in the same block! As we enter the fourth quarter, we will get outside more and more to refine our identification and measurement skills in Trees & the Maine Forest. You can bet that I'll swing by our own vernal pool in the TA Forest with my classes. There is a big old quaking aspen along its bank that I always make sure to show the kids. It provides the perfect excuse to check in on some old friends.

Nighttime Cusking with the Club

The Thornton Academy Anglers' Society recently visited Sebago Lake in search of cusk. Freshwater cusk (Lota lota), also known as burbot or eelpout, are members of the same order that cod and haddock belong to (gadiformes). They are the only member of this order found in freshwater and inhabit deep, clean lakes across the northern hemisphere from Maine to Siberia. Here in Maine, cusk fishing is done during late winter through the ice at night. It is at this time that cusk move into shallow areas under the cover of darkness to feed and spawn. Throughout the rest of the year, cusk are rarely observed as they seek deep, cold water. These fish are notorious for feeding on everything from smelts to crayfish but are most often targeted using dead bait on bottom. They are fine table fare and make for an awesome chowder. Because of the limited number of waterbodies that support cusk populations and the need to fish for them at night, cusk fishing is usually a first for most of our members.

Cusk outings are a nice change of pace in that we left campus at 4:00 p.m. rather than the usual 6:00 a.m. The plan was to arrive at the lake in time to get set up in the waning daylight knowing the cusk should start biting once it is completely dark. After setting up, we enjoyed a classic supper on the ice consisting of red hot dogs and homemade venison chili. The fishing ended up being tougher than we had hoped and we got a taste of why this lake is referred to as "Slowbego" by many. Amelia Pellerin saved the day with a beautiful 19" cusk midway through the trip. This fish ties the all time record for this species at T.A.!

 Amelia with her 19" school record cusk

Amelia's cusk gave us hope that the bite would pick up but it wasn't meant to be. Just as things started to seem like Amelia's fish would be the only one on the night, a flag on a distant trap was spotted. After a sprint to the hole, and a long battle, Nate Lilly hauled a 25.5" togue onto the ice. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), or "togue" as most Mainers refer to them, are most often found in deep water and feed mainly during daylight hours. Sebago is a known destination for togue fishing but nearly all fish are caught during the daytime. I have heard legends of nighttime togue being caught but never seen it myself. Needless to say, Nate is in rare company with his feat.

Nate with his 25.5" Sebago togue

Sebago has a way of humbling even the most experienced of anglers from time to time. Whenever I hit the big lake and am able to put just a single fish on the ice, I consider the trip a success. In the end, outings like this one are more about building friendships, learning new skills, and creating lifelong memories. The hope is that our members gain the experience necessary to someday take advantage of this unique fishery on their own, continue to care for the resource, and keep our local outdoor traditions alive.