Long Lake Ice Fishing Open House dazzles participants

By Bob Chapin

On Sunday, Feb. 6, through a cooperative venture with the Town of Naples Recreation Department, the Sebago Lakes Anglers’ Association, and American Legion Field-Allen Post 148 in Windham and Post 155 in Casco/Naples, local residents were treated to an Ice Fishing Open House at the Veterans’ Ice Hut on Long Lake just off Kent’s Landing.

In a cooperative venture between the Sebago Lakes Anglers' 
Association, American L:egion Post 148 in Windham and
Post 155 in Casco/Naples and the Naples Recreation
Department, participants enjoyed an Ice Fishing Open House 
on Long Lake off Kent's Landing on Sunday, Feb. 6.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

The hut is an 8 by 10 foot hard-sided structure that allows fishing enthusiasts to ice fish inside the hut through holes in the floor or to simply go in to warm up next to the wood burning stove.

The Open House began at 9 a.m. with hot coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts from the Village Donut Shop in Windham. Many of the participants were transported out to the hut by two SLAA club members who used their snow machines with towing sleds attached. 

Holes were drilled through the ice while tip-ups were baited and lines were lowered to about a foot off the bottom in 35 feet of water for white perch or just below the ice for salmon.

It wasn’t long before the first “FLAG!!” was called out and a youngster pulled a nice white perch from the lake.

Children and adults new to the sport were shown how to ice fish and what to do when you get a “Flag.”  Among the group participating, there were several first-time fishermen who learned what it took to catch a fish through the ice.

Many of the children, not totally preoccupied with the fishing, took time to play corn hole while waiting for their flags to pop up. 

Lunch was also available and included corn chowder, chili, hot dogs, chips, a decorated sheet cake, and other yummy desserts.  Several ice fishermen who were not part of the Open House stopped by and shared in the fun and food. 

Brian Crockett, Director of Naples Parks and Recreation, said that the feedback on the open house that he received was very positive and he looks forward to repeating the event next year.

The hut was built by the Rockland Volunteer Fire Department several years ago for a group called “Veterans on the Ice” who used it to host ice fishing events for veterans.

The “Veterans on the Ice” group donated the hut to SLAA to be used for the same purpose. 

Since receiving the hut, SLAA added the indoor fishing holes, insulation, the wood stove, and a propane space heater.  The front door was widened to accommodate wheelchairs, and an 8-foot aluminum ramp was built to allow those wheelchairs easy access from the ice. 

This is the fourth year SLAA and the two American Legion posts have used the hut for events, and the second year that Naples Recreation has joined in the collaboration.

In addition to local veterans’ fishing days and the Long Lake open house, other events have been sponsored for Camp Sunshine, scout groups, and the Veterans’ Home in Augusta. 

Area veterans who would like to try ice fishing out of the hut should call 571-217-1700 or 207-655-1028. <