The winter adventures continue! The #WEOUTSIDE program partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands to have a day of ice fishing at Range Pond State Park in Poland. Range Pond is a great place for activities all year round: swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and eating lots of snacks. We were fortunate to have interpretive and educational staff from the park and the state agencies on hand with all the gear you need for a great day on the ice, from tip ups to augers to red snapper hot dogs and s’mores.

The sweet spot for catching stocked brook trout is usually over by 10am but these kids had the magic touch. Tip up flags were flying up all over the ice, trout were being skillfully yanked out of holes, IF&W staff were showing kids how to clean and prepare the fish. Per capita, hand warmer usage was high but lower than on previous #WEOUTSIDE outings due to the sun and lack of wind. The group caught so many trout that some of the kids were able to take them home to eat. This group is from Angola and fish is a big part of their diet so it was interesting to compare how different cultures prepare and cook fish. And since we all know that part of winter recreation is good warm food, there were red snappers (the red hot dogs) and s’mores to keep everybody warm and satisfied.

More adventures with #WEOUTSIDE to come!