Experience Maine Winter 2025

FISHING 101: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED SNOW MUCH FUN: LOCAL WINTER ACTIVITIES TO SHAKE OFF THE CHILL

WINTER 2025-26

WINTER SETTLES OVER MAINE, AND THE LAKES TURN TO GLASS. On the ice, a quiet tradition comes alive. There’s a rhythm to it — a pause in the day, the snap of cold air, the quiet stretch of frozen water. Some come for the first time, curious about the tradition of ice fishing; others come back year after year, drawn by habit and memory. Either way, the ice has a way of slowing time, of bringing people together, and of offering a tug on the line that makes the cold worth it. This guide will help you step onto the lake safely, settle in, and find your own place in the season.

GETTING STARTED (THE “ICE BREAKER” IF YOU WILL)

The good news is that ice fishing in Maine is accessible for just about anyone willing to bundle up and embrace the cold. Before heading out, check that the body of water you plan to visit is open to ice fishing, and make sure you have a valid fishing license for anyone over the age of 16. Regulations vary depending on the county and body of water, so it’s always smart to review current rules and daily bag limits online.

Safety comes first. Ice should be at least 4 inches thick before walking on it, 5 to 7 inches for snowmobiles or ATVs, and 8 to 12 inches for small vehicles. Always check the ice, as thickness can vary within just a few feet. A spud bar, ice chisel, or auger is essential for testing ice depth. Carrying ice picks around your neck (to ensure they are immediately accessible if you fall through the ice) and fishing with a buddy is strongly recommended.

ESSENTIAL GEAR FOR BEGINNERS

You don’t need top-of-the-line equipment to get started — just a few essentials:

• AN ICE AUGER OR CHISEL to drill your fishing holes.

• A FEW TRAPS (TIP-UPS) or a JIGGING ROD . Tip-ups are the wooden or plastic devices that let you fish multiple holes while relaxing nearby waiting to see their indicator (flag) go up, while jigging rods offer a more hands-on experience.

• LIVE BAIT , like nightcrawlers, shiners, or smelts, which can be purchased at most bait shops. Always make sure to check the laws and regulations of the body of water you’ll be fishing, as some don’t allow live bait.

• A SLED OR BUCKET to carry gear, and something to sit on.

• WARM, WATERPOOF CLOTHING — layers are your best friend. Avoid cotton, which traps moisture; instead, wear synthetic materials for base layers, along with waterproof gloves and a hat to stay safe and comfortable.

Many first-timers borrow gear or start small with one or two traps and a chisel to break through holes from previous fishermen left from the day before. As you gain experience, you’ll find ways to fine-tune your setup for comfort and success.

COLDWATER VS. WARMWATER SPECIES

One of the great things about ice fishing in Maine is the variety of species available — each offering a different kind of challenge.

If you’re just looking for a quick catch or something to keep the kids entertained, try for WARMWATER SPECIES like perch, pickerel, or bass. These fish are plentiful, bite more frequently, and make for a fun, active day on the ice.

If you’re after a trophy fish, a great meal — or just enjoy a slow, strategic challenge (a personal favorite of mine) — consider COLDWATER SPECIES such as brook trout (found in both shallow ponds and deeper lakes), rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout (togue), or landlocked salmon. These fish often require a bit more patience and strategy, rewarding anglers who enjoy testing their skills and savoring the thrill of the catch.

WHERE TO GO: BEGINNER-FRIENDLY SPOTS

Maine has thousands of lakes and ponds open to ice fishing, and many are perfect for first-timers. A few great places to start include:

• PUSHAW LAKE (PENOBSCOT COUNTY): A favorite for perch and pickerel, with easy access points and plenty of room to spread out.

• NORTH POND (SOMERSET COUNTY): Great for catching white perch and chain pickerel in a quieter setting.

• CHINA LAKE (KENNEBEC COUNTY): Offers a mix of species and a strong local ice-fishing community that’s always welcoming to newcomers.

• SEBASTICOOK LAKE (PENOBSCOT COUNTY): Great mix of species and wide, open ice.

• WORTHLEY POND (OXFORD COUNTY): Brookies, browns, rainbows, and some warm water species are all hiding in here.

When choosing your first fishing spot, look for areas with nearby parking, steady ice conditions, and a few other anglers around. Most anglers are happy to share tips with newcomers.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR DAY ON THE ICE

A big part of ice fishing’s charm is the experience itself, not just the catch. Set up your traps, build a small fire if it’s allowed, and enjoy a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate while you wait. Many anglers bring grills or camp stoves to cook lunch right on the ice — a tradition that turns an ordinary fishing trip into a full winter outing.

Patience pays off. Some days you’ll pull fish after fish; other days, it’s all about the company or the scenery. The stillness of a frozen lake, the sound of the wind through the trees, and the sudden change in your heart rate when you see a flag go up — that’s what makes ice fishing special.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ice fishing might seem rugged, but in truth, it’s one of Maine’s most peaceful and family-friendly winter pastimes. Some of my favorite memories are chasing flags with both of my grandfathers and my parents while growing up in Central Maine.

With a little preparation, the right gear, and a healthy respect for safety, ice fishing is a pastime that anyone can enjoy. And remember: You’re not just fishing — you’re casting memories that will be told long after the ice is out.

GOODBYE WINTER BLUES, Hello Winter Fun!

BY KATIE SMITH

EVEN IF YOU LOVE THE COLD and getting out to venture in the snow, Maine’s long winters can take a toll on your mental health. The short days, icy roads, and craving to hibernate can put even the most cheerful person into a funk. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to help combat the winter blues, or even keep them away completely — even when the windchill is brutal.

BELFAST ICE FESTIVAL

FEB. 27-MARCH 1, 2026 • BELFAST

Each winter, downtown Belfast transforms into a glistening outdoor gallery during the Belfast Ice Festival. Visitors stroll amid stunning ice sculptures, and watch as local and visiting carvers compete in the State of Maine Ice Carving Championship. With ice bars, family-friendly winter activities, and a lively midcoast Maine town atmosphere, it’s a perfect way to embrace the cold season and explore the local charm of Belfast.

SNODEO

JAN. 29-FEB. 1, 2026 • RANGELEY

Rangeley’s annual Snodeo weekend offers a mix of adrenaline and community fun. From snowmobile radar runs and races to a chili and chowder cook-off, live auction, parade, and fireworks, the event draws snowmobile enthusiasts and families alike. Set against the snowy landscape of the Rangeley Lakes region, Snodeo captures the spirit of winter recreation and small-town Maine hospitality.

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

JAN. 30-FEB. 1, 2026 • SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN

Held at Sugarloaf Mountain, “Fire on the Mountain” combines live music with mountain resort vibes for a high-energy mid-winter getaway. With multiple evening shows, headlining bands, and a weekend of après ski fun, it turns the slopes into a party for music-loving winter adventurers looking to mix alpine thrills with festival culture.

CAN-AM CROWN INTERNATIONAL SLED DOG RACES

FEB. 28, 2026 • FORT KENT

In far northern Maine near the Canadian border, this legendary sled dog race challenges mushers and their teams across the winter wilderness — and draws spectators to Main Street and local trails. With several race distances, including the marquee 250-mile event, the Can-Am Crown is both a test of endurance and a celebration of Maine’s snowy terrain and outdoors heritage.

GARDENS AGLOW

DATES VARY • BOOTHBAY

When the evenings grow long and the holiday season arrives, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay light up in a dazzling display of illuminated paths, glowing sculptures, and scenic winter landscapes. Gardens Aglow invites visitors to explore nature’s beauty in a magical nighttime setting — especially during the festive holiday period.

Curtain Up

BY JUDY HARRISON

ELAINE BARD WASN’T REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING “FROZEN” on stage but her daughter Erryn had snagged some front row seats at the St. James Theatre in New York City. Elaine was accompanying her daughter to Florida, where Erryn was going to work at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

“I had the best time at this musical,” Elaine said. “It’s a story for kids, but has so many messages for adults, too.”

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR AT SOME THEATRE COMPANY ON A FUN WINTER NIGHT AT THE THEATER

When planning Some Theatre Company’s 10th season last year, Elaine secured the rights to “The Wizard of Oz” and slated it for December in the company’s 72-seat space at the Bangor Mall. Three hours later, she learned

that “Frozen” was available — and decided to do it instead.

Based on the 2013 animated film by Walt Disney Animated Studios, it’s a story of two sisters — and one’s power to freeze their kingdom. The musical premiered on Broadway in March 2018. It shut down two years later due to the COVID pandemic and did not reopen.

Some Theatre Company (STC) is a family affair. Elaine is the founder and artistic director, and her husband Jerry, who works in construction, helps build sets and runs concessions for shows. Their four children — daughter Erryn, 32, and sons Logan, 29, Quinn, 21, and Ferris, 18 — perform and work

backstage. Logan, who often directs, and his wife, Emma, were married at the theater on Halloween 2021. Their twins, a boy and a girl born in early October 2024, often nap in the Green Room while their parents are performing.

The Bard family all worked on this season’s opening show, the musical “The Hello Girls.” It tells the story of women operators, who during World War I were dispatched to France to replace men who could not transfer calls quickly enough.

Working so closely with family has its rewards and challenges.

“Being able to work with my family is extremely rewarding,” said Quinn. “Not only do I feel that it brings us closer, but we also never run out of things to talk about. It’s also nice knowing that whoever is on the production team has an astute understanding of the limits and capabilities of each family member.”

But there occasionally are drawbacks to working so closely together, according to Emma, whose mother is Deb Elz Hammond, the theater teacher at Bangor High School, who also directs for STC.

“The challenge can be making sure that we spend time together outside of the theatre too,” Emma said.

Elaine founded STC in 2015. Its first show was “Evil Dead the Musical” at the Keith Anderson Community House in Orono. The company moved to the Bangor Mall in 2019.

“I thought it was a one-and-done, but the staff said the building is available, so you do more shows, and it grew from there,” Elaine said of that first show.

Over the last decade STC has launched more than 60 productions, many of them small musicals, not well known outside of theater circles. But STC also launches nonmusicals, including the northeastern premiere of “The Exorcist” and “No Exit.” Next year, Logan will direct “The Whale,” a play about an obese man’s attempts to

reconnect with his daughter. Brendan Fraser starred in the 2022 film version. Logan often is the one who discovers obscure shows, Elaine said.

“I don’t know how I really find them,” he said. “I tend to just find them while randomly searching for music or looking up something for a current production.”

The company recently signed a new three-year lease at the mall. While Ten Bucks Theatre Company left its space near the former Sears building in the aging facility last fall due to a leaky roof and a lack of heat and air conditioning, STC has not had similar issues.

Its space is next to the furniture store and has a back door, which Ten Bucks did not have. That allows Some Theatre’s patrons to enter and exit when the mall is closed. The Bard family is looking ahead to the next decade, with an eye toward doing some classic musicals. Stay tuned.

MANY VITAMINS ARE IMPORTANT FOR PERSONAL HEALTH , but come the wintertime, vitamin D may dominate the headlines. That’s because hours of sunlight dwindle in the winter, which can lower levels of vitamin D in the body.

Vitamin D sometimes is referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” because of its ties to the sun. The Cleveland Clinic says sun exposure on the skin is one way for people to get vitamin D. However, people with darker skin or those in certain geographical locations that do not get enough sunlight may not get sufficient vitamin D. Supplementation with foods that contain vitamin D or through pills may be necessary.

Vitamin D helps maintain a balance of calcium in the body and facilitates the building and maintaining of strong bones. The Mayo Clinic says low vitamin D levels have been tied to cancer, cognitive decline, multiple sclerosis, rickets, and psoriasis. But how much vitamin D does a person need? The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 400 international units for children up to age 12 months, 600 IU for those ages one to 70 years old, and 800 IU for people over 70 years of age. However, some doctors recommend people take higher amounts. The Endocrine Society, for example, suggests higher daily doses of 1,500 to 2,000 IU may be needed for some adults.

Although vitamin D deficiency may compromise health, it’s important to note that going too far in the other direction also is unhealthy. Harvard Health advises against taking more than 4,000 IU per day, which is considered the safe upper limit. High doses of vitamin D can cause too much calcium to form in the blood, a condition called hypercalcemia. This raises the risk of fatal heart conditions. Increasing vitamin D intake also increases the risk for kidney stones, so the pros and cons must be weighed. Symptoms of too much vitamin D can include vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, increased thirst, and frequent urination.

Getting vitamin D naturally through sunlight and food sources is preferable to supplements. Fatty fish, mushrooms, liver, shrimp, and oysters are some foods that are excellent sources of vitamin D. UCLA Health says eight to 10 minutes of sun exposure

Shine a Light ON VITAMIN D

at noon produces the recommended amount of vitamin D. However, in the winter when only 10 percent of the body is exposed, nearly two hours of sun exposure at noon is needed to produce a sufficient amount of vitamin D. Geographic regions may produce different rates of exposure needed to ensure sufficient vitamin D production.

Vitamin D is necessary for health, but many people are not getting enough. Increasing exposure to the sun, eating the right foods and supplementation when needed can improve vitamin D levels.

DISCOVER WINTER MAGIC IN RANGELEY, MAINE

COURTESY OF ALEXANDRA KAISER, RANGELEY LAKES REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PLANNING A WINTER GETAWAY THAT KEEPS

EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY HAPPY? Look no further than Rangeley, Maine. This charming mountain town delivers the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, ensuring every member of your crew finds something to love.

ADVENTURES FOR THE THRILL-SEEKERS: Adrenaline junkies will revel in Rangeley’s extensive snowmobile trail network. Miles and miles of groomed trails wind through pristine forests with stunning mountain vistas. Local rental shops provide equipment and guides to help first-timers navigate safely, while experienced riders can explore on their own.

Just 15 minutes from downtown, Saddleback Mountain offers 68 runs across 600+ acres of terrain. With a 2,000-foot vertical drop, there’s something for every skier and snowboarder—gentle beginner slopes, challenging intermediate runs, and the legendary Kennebago Steeps and Casablanca Glades for experts. Rentals, professional lessons, and seasonal programs

are available to help newcomers learn or rusty riders shake off the cobwebs.

PEACEFUL PURSUITS FOR ALL AGES: Prefer a more mellow pace? The Rangeley Lakes Trail Center welcomes families with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking trails. Kids delight in discovering whimsical gnome homes hidden throughout the property, and everyone appreciates warming up in the cozy yurt with hot soup.

The Rangeley Skating Club maintains a picturesque ice rink on Haley Pond—perfect for families to glide together, surrounded by mountain views. Skates are available to borrow from Rangeley Adventure Company, so no need to pack your own.

SMALL-TOWN FUN AND FAMILY TRADITIONS:

Saturday afternoons, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride through downtown—a magical experience for children and adults alike. Follow up with a movie at the Lakeside Theatre or bowling with your crew at Moose Alley. When the weather turns too chilly, explore Rangeley’s

adorable downtown shops, perfect for finding unique souvenirs and warming up with hot chocolate.

COMFORT AND CUISINE: After busy days outdoors, families can choose from trailside cabin rentals that feel like home, charming inns with genuine hospitality, or slopeside condos for ultimate ski-in/ski-out convenience. Rangeley’s diverse dining scene includes cozy coffee shops for breakfast, family-friendly restaurants for casual dinners, and fine dining for special evenings out. Don’t miss exploring Oquossoc, a picturesque village within town that offers several exceptional mountain dining options. With choices to satisfy even the pickiest eaters, everyone finds something they love.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Whether your family craves high-speed snowmobile adventures, wants to learn to ski or ride together, prefers peaceful snowshoe walks, or simply enjoys skating and small-town charm, Rangeley delivers. The endless possibilities mean no one gets bored, and everyone creates lasting winter memories.

Use Local Firewood on your

Firewood moved long distances can spread tree-killing insects and diseases.

Insects like the Asian longhorned beetle and pathogens like oak wilt disease can spread in or on firewood.

FIREWOOD TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Firewood Tips for Your Winter Adventures

The next time you head out on an outdoor adventure, follow these firewood tips:

Leave firewood at home.

Courtesy of Maine DACF

Firewood moved long distances can spread tree-killing insects and diseases.

• If you’ve already transported firewood, don’t leave it or bring it home – burn it!

Insects like the Asian longhorned beetle and pathogens like oak wilt disease can spread in or on firewood.

Buy firewood as close to your destination as possible.

Certified heat-treated firewood is the best choice. Buy firewood with a state seal stating the wood has been HEAT-TREATED to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 75 minutes to ensure it is pest free.

• Also burn any small pieces of bark and debris that have fallen from the wood.

When you head out on your winter adventures, follow these firewood tips:

• Leave firewood at home.

• Buy firewood as close to your destination as possible.

If certified firewood is not available, purchase your firewood locally. Wood harvested within 10 miles of your destination is best!

• If certified firewood is not available, purchase your firewood locally. Wood harvested within 10 miles of your destination is best!

• If you can’t burn it all within 24 hours, follow directions for firewood disposal and drop-off at maine.gov/firewood.

• If you’ve already transported firewood, don’t leave it or bring it home – burn it!

At some sites, you may be able to gather firewood on or near the site. Check local rules.

Find local or heat-treated firewood sources at firewoodscout.org.

• Certified heat-treated firewood is the best choice. Buy firewood with a state seal stating the wood has been heat-treated to 160 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 75 minutes to ensure it is pest free.

• At some sites, you may be able to gather firewood on or near the site. Check local rules.

• If the wood you find locally is not heat-treated and you don’t burn it all, don’t take it home with you or to your next destination.

• Also burn any small pieces of bark and debris that have fallen from the wood.

• If the wood you find locally is not heat-treated and you don't burn it all, don't take it home with you or to your next destination.

Find more tips at maine.gov/firewood.

Help prevent the spread of insects and diseases that harm our forests.

• Find local or heat-treated firewood sources at firewoodscout.org.

• If you can't burn it all within 24 hours, follow directions for firewood disposal and drop-off at maine.gov/firewood.

Find more tips at maine.gov/firewood.

What exactly is local?

When it comes to untreated firewood, 50 miles is too far, 10 miles or less is best.

Help prevent the spread of insects and diseases that harm our forests.

For more information, visit maine.gov/firewood