During the spring and fall, you might find them feeding near the surface and close to shore, and can catch them by flyfishing, casting, or trolling with lures or bait. If registered to vote, registered in Maine; If licensed to drive a motor vehicle, applied for a Maine motor vehicle license; If owning a motor vehicle(s) located within the State, registered each vehicle in Maine; If a full-time student at a Maine college or university, resides in Maine. Anyone wishing to fish in these waters should contact: Mailing Address:P.O. Togue: The term "Togue" means the same as Lake Trout. Drain water from watercraft, motor, bilge, bladder tanks, live well and portable bait containers away from the water before leaving water access. This regulation can be effective on waters where natural recruitment and population size is very low and growth rates are excellent, or on waters where there is a strict need for conservation (imperiled or endangered species, for instance). Properly dispose of unused baitfish on land or in the trash. A lake or great pond shall not be construed to mean tributary. I discovered this last year when I finally explored its long, rocky Atlantic Coast. (source) You can find the fishing laws here. 41 State House Station Fax: (207) 287-8094 or (207) 287-6395 Railroad Track Restrictions: A person may not, without right, stand or walk on a railroad track or railroad bridge or pass over a railroad bridge except by railroad conveyance. Yes, during the free fishing weekends, the state-owned waters are usually open to everyone in the state, including the non-resident. Unlike most states, Maine doesnt have a fishing license specifically for seniors and youths; instead, it has one type of fishing license for adults over 16 years old. Step 2: Slide your trailer onto the hook and secure the SPL by gluing to hook shank at points of attachment by slightly pulling the lure back and applying glue to the hook shank and then pulling the lure over the glued area of the hook shank. Shall identify on the outside of the shack or structure in 2-inch letters, the owners name and address when the shack or structure is on the ice of any inland wa-ters (Title 12, 12661). New ways to find the special fishing laws Want to check to see if a waterbody has special fishing laws? Complimentary (Free) Fishing License Provisions: A free fishing license will be issued, upon application, to the following (these free licenses may be obtained at the Department Office in Augusta): Complimentary License Holders: Complimentary license holders eligible to fish in S-9 waters includes all of those listed under the Complimentary Fishing License Provisions above except item 2. With 77% of the U.S. population using smartphones in 2017, our agency's mission clearly directed us to As a result of the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980, the Maine Tribal-State Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over fishing on any pond of greater than 10 acres with 50% or more of its shoreline within Indian (Passamaquoddy or Penobscot) territory and any section of a river, brook, or stream both sides of which are in Indian territory or one side of which is in Indian territory for a continuous length of 1/2 mile or more. Then we regularly monitor for effectiveness . Smallmouth bass are a popular sport fishing species due to the species' aggressive nature when feeding, and while smallmouth bass are frequently caught in Moosehead Lake as well as other areas throughout Maine, this species is not native to the state. Laws & Rules: Fishing: Fishing & Boating: Maine Dept of Inland Title 12, 2553-A: Fly fishing in Kennebec River - Maine State Legislature This regulation can be effective on waters where natural recruitment and population size is very low and growth rates are excellent, or on waters where there is a strict need for conservation (imperiled or endangered species, for instance). Pregnant and nursing women, women who may get pregnant, and children under age 8 SHOULD NOT EAT ANY freshwater fish from Maines inland waters, except, for brook trout and landlocked salmon, one meal per month is safe. Laws & Rules: Fishing: Fishing & Boating: Maine Dept of Inland Failure to Label Fish: It is unlawful to keep bass, landlocked salmon, togue (lake trout) or trout at any sporting camp, hotel, public lodging place or any place other than a person's residence without attaching the name and address of the person who caught the fish (Title 12,12608). When ice fishing for these warmwater fish, use live bait such as minnows in Open Season: May 1-February 28/29; April 15-30 Minimum Size: 17 inches Possession Limit: 15 fish per day. lead, mercury, PCB consumption advisories) For this license, you must be a resident of Maine. The Superpack license includes coyote, bear, turkey, pheasant, migratory waterfowl, and night hunt. In fact, anyone, including the residents, can get their licenses online and pay using their credit cards. Avoid forest fires; keep Maine green. See Recreational Angling for Migratory Fish, Police Athletic League (PAL) Ponds in Fairfield, Fish Brook in Fairfield, including any tributaries, from the headwaters to the confluence with Messalonskee Stream, Messalonskee Stream from the Rice Rips Dam in Oakland to the Automatic Dam in Waterville. Laws & Rules: Fishing: Fishing & Boating: Maine Dept of Inland Do your part to help keep Maines waters clean and fisheries healthy: There is no doubt, discarding soft plastic lures on land or in the water is littering and poses environmental concerns. PL 2003, c. 655, B282 (NEW). The page also has to frequently asked questions about Maine's ice fishing laws. Other unique fishing spots include Sebago Lake, the Grand Lake Stream, Megunticook Lake, and Cobbosseecontee Lake. Ive got a FREE video workshop teaching how to dry fly fish at this link How 2 Fly Fish. In the Maine, water- and species-specific regulations are common, as are slot length limits and length-based creel limits. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, License Requirement, and Fees. However, it is lawful to place food particles in a baitfish trap for the purpose of luring baitfish (Title 12, 12657). January 1 March 31: Lakes and ponds are open to ice fishing. In the winter, splake provide an excellent fishing opportunity and can be found throughout the water column. But you will have to print your license if you prefer to use something other than the electronic version after purchasing it. Step 1: Choose your soft plastic lure to attach as a trailer. Exception: This does not apply to hook and line smelt fishing (Title 12, 12654). shallow water of 5 to 20 feet. Augusta, ME 04333-0041, Mailing Address: Do your part by only using locally caught legal baitfish species when fishing in Maine. Ed@mU>eCz@{C1El6o@_? Successful methods used while ice fishing include using worms or minnows and Note: Note: It is unlawful to troll a fly in waters restricted to fly fishing only (Title 12, 12658). PL 2005, c. 477, 17-20 (AMD). Ice Fishing: Taking freshwater fish during the ice fishing season through man-made openings in the ice by the use of ice fishing implements. So much of the spread comes from people simply enjoying the great outdoors. Streamer flies and lures resembling smelt are very effective. Dont risk it If you think you can get a few more casts, just replace it! Lake trout (also known throughout Maine as togue) are deep dwellers that prefer very cold water year-round. Step 1: Choose soft plastic worm bait of your choice. Fishing Family Point of View: regulations and policies across the If this interests you, spend a little bit of time getting up to speed with the fishing rules and regulations and, most importantly, the requirements for a Maine fishing license. Title 12: CONSERVATION. If you do use felt soled boots, thoroughly dry the boots and/or soak in a disinfecting solution before moving to another body of water. (source). managed for splake is open to ice fishing. The owner is legally liable for removal and to pay any damages resulting from the submersion or removal. Five-line limit., 2. April 1 September 30: Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and brooks are open to open water fishing. At no time should sea-run Atlantic salmon be removed from the water. The open-water fishing season on boundary waters between Maine and New Brunswick is from April 1st to September 30th, inclusive. Augusta, ME 04333-0041, Phone: (207) 287-8000 Obey them; report violations PDF Chapter 923 Subchapter 1 Seasons, Rulemaking and Special Regulations 2 Restricted to persons less than 16 years of age under general law regulations, except that no live fish as bait is allowed, and it is closed to the taking of smelts. Never release any live baitfish into a water body. Check out this article to learn How to Fly Fish for Brown Trout. Failure to clean your equipment between waters puts you subject to financial penalties and loss of equipment. MDIFW does issue permits to allow for safe and appropriate private pond stocking. The Carlton Pond at Detroit, Troy, is open to ice fishing in November, while its stretch at Readfield, Winthrop, is closed to fishing all year. The fee for an infant lifetime fishing license is $150 for a resident and $450 for a nonresident, except that, from December 1, 2011 until March 1, 2015, the fee for a nonresident is $200; (2) An infant lifetime hunting license. Therefore, learning these special fishing rules can help you plan your next fishing trip to Maine well and even manage to catch the correct species. Technology has come a long way since plastic lures were first introduced, and many on the market today are made with more durable materials for a longer lifespan and have built-in lure retention devices. M.R.S.A SS6207(3) The Maine Tribal-State Commission has adopted rules which affect any waters meeting the above criteria. Step 3: Firmly fasten zip tie to the center of the bait. LAWS MAINE INLAND FISHING Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife | Information contained within this publication is subject to change after printing and is not valid after December 31, 2021. PDF 2021 Maine Fishing Law Book PL 2005, c. 397, E9-11 (AMD). Rivers, streams, and brooks are closed to ice fishing. Many anglers prefer soft plastic lures over hard-bodied lures due to their more natural feel. No more than 3 fish meals per year of any fish species. Email us, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Rulemaking Proposals Open to Public Comment, Opportunities for People with Disabilities, Extended fishing season through October (catch and release), Trophy-size landlocked salmon and brook trout, Extended fishing through October (catch and release), Trophy-size wild brook trout; also wild landlocked salmon, Catch-and-release fishery for brook trout, Walk-in access from dirt road off Route 16, or by small boat from Pond in the River, Scenic river with many rapids and pools, Trophy-size wild brook trout and wild landlocked salmon, Many walk-in access points down stream of Aziscohos Dam, Scenic river with several rapids and pools, Extended fishing in October (catch and release), Fly fishing only; catch and release after August 15, Access off Route 16 and the Boy Scout Road, The lower section of river makes a nice canoe trip, Wild brook trout upstream of Smalls Falls, Stocked brown trout downstream of Smalls Falls, Trophy-size landlocked salmon and brook trout, Trailered boat access at Rangeley, Oquossoc, and Rangeley Lake State Park, Fast fishing for abundant wild landlocked salmon, Trailered boat access at Cupsuptic Lake, Haines Landing, and near Toothaker Island, Landlocked salmon; occasional brook trout and lake trout, Trailered boat access at north end (Mill Brook) and south end (South Arm), Wild landlocked salmon and quality-size brook trout, Trailered boat access at Black Brook Cove, Boat access from unimproved landing at north end, Trailered boat access at Route 4, parking limited, High-elevation pond on the Appalachian Trail, Long Pond: stocked brook trout and wild Sunapee trout, Round Pond: stocked brook trout; fly fishing only, Sabbath Day Pond: wild brook trout; fly fishing only, Moxie Pond: stocked brook trout; fly fishing only, Wild/stocked brook trout that grow to trophy size, Wild landlocked salmon and stocked brook trout, Section upstream of S. Shore Drive is catch and release. A landowner may immediately remove or destroy a structure left on their property and may recover the costs associated with doing so (Title 12, 12661). A person may not take smelts with a dip net unless it meets the requirements listed under the dip net definition (Title 12, 12456).A dip net when used to take smelts in a tributary or within 100 feet of the mouth of a tributary must contain a rigid circular frame that is not more than 24 inches in diameter as measured at any point on the hoop and manually operated by a single person (Title 12, 10001-12-A). 323 Contents . The Revisor's Office cannot provide legal advice or interpretation of Maine law to the . It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or use an unpainted bare lead jig that weighs one ounce or less or measures 2.5 inches or less (Title 12, 12663-B & Title 12, 12664). Other states stipulate that the pond should not have an inlet or outlet to be considered a privately-owned pond. Sale of Certain Fish Prohibited: It is unlawful to buy or sell, directly or indirectly, trout, togue, landlocked salmon, bass, white perch, or pickerel (except fish which have been lawfully produced by commercial producers and skins of fish which have been preserved by taxidermy) (Title 12, 12609-A). 1-day resident fishing license: $11. The tributary to a great pond shall not be considered a tributary to the outlet of that great pond (Title 12, 10001-66). For more details on where you can fish in Maine, click this link. Step 1: Cut a piece of heavy line (40 pound test for example) about 3 or 4 long. Snagging: It is unlawful to fish for any fish, except suckers, by snagging (Title 12, 12651 & Title 12, 12602). Snowmobiles and ATVs shall be removed within 24 hours (Title 17, 2267-A). Exposure to certain PFAS chemicals has been associated with: Limit or eliminate consumption of all fish or certain fish species from the waterbodies listed in the table below. Although some products are marketed as biodegradable, little compelling data supports these claims and they do not comply with existing national testing standards for testing biodegradability. Chain pickerel generally reside in shallow, vegetated areas close to shore. (source) For details on the penalty for breaking a fishing law in Maine, click the following link. Augusta, ME 04333-0041, Mailing Address: When fishing for bass, you can use spinners, crankbaits, stickbaits, jigs, minnows, and worms. Troll: To fish by trailing a line rigged to catch fish behind or in front of a watercraft being propelled by mechanical, wind or manual power (Title 12, 10001-67). Consider using non-felt soled boots to further reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species. Sea-run salmon exhibit a variety of color phases from black to silver to brown, and can look similar to brown trout and landlocked salmon in coloration. Anyone over 16 years requires a license to fish in Maine, and you must have it when fishing or transporting some fish. These rules offer extra protection to the native and wild resources in the Northern parts of the state while providing more fishing opportunities to anglers. Possessing Gift Fish: A person who does not possess a valid fishing license issued under chapter 913 may not possess a fish or any part of a fish given to that person except a person may possess in that person's domicile a gift fish that was lawfully caught and is plainly labeled with the name of the person who gave the fish and the year, month and day the fish was caught by that person. Either a Maine or New Brunswick license will be honored while fishing on the main body of the waters listed to the right, or on International river waters. On the other hand, the lifetime fishing license can last for your entire life, but its continually renewed yearly. It is illegal to transport live fish without a permit except legal baitfish or smelts. However, some lures end up in the water due to unintentional loss while fishing. Inland Waters: All waters within the State above the rise and fall of the tide and wholly or partially within the territorial limits of the state (Title 12, 10001-35). You may not store or hold live baitfish in waters where the use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited during the entire fishing season. These regions have different general fishing dates, bag limits, brook trout bag limits, and terminal gear restrictions. Remember to check the mercury guidelines. After all, the landowner, guide, department team member, or warden may ask for your license anytime. Therefore, you can easily cast your fishing line on one of its free fishing days, June 3-4 and February 18-19. No Live Fish as Bait: This regulation is typically applied to prevent establishment of unwanted bait populations in waters where they currently do not exist (often brook trout or Arctic charr waters), while still allowing the use of dead baitfish or artificial lures. Fishing without a license classifies under class E crimes. S-9: Open to fishing only for persons . This includes waters restricted to the use of artificial lures only, waters restricted to fly fishing, and waters where there are other prohibitions on the use of live fish as bait. interpretation of Maine law to the public. In June, July, and August you'll typically catch lake trout at depths below 45 feet. (Title 12, 12601). Removal of Bag Limits on Bass: In waters where the bag limit on bass has been removed by special rule, the season on bass and the method of fishing for them is the same as for trout and landlocked salmon (Title 12, 12601). Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Statewide General Fishing Laws for Inland Waters. Generally, fishing licenses in Walmart cost about the same as they would at the issuing offices. If summer fishing is your thing, you should visit Pine Tree State in June for exceptional summer fishing experiences. Soft plastic lures on the land or in the water also pose environmental concerns. Step 2: Chose zip tie in color that complements or matches color of bait. Latest Info from Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Thoroughfares: Waterways connecting lakes and/or ponds. Text. Part 3: INLAND FISH AND GAME. PDF Open Water and Ice Fishing Regulations - Maine They're opportunistic feeders, happy to eat aquatic insects or smaller fish. The lures may come with hooks attached, or you may need to attach the hook yourself. [PL 2005, c. 477, 19 (NEW).] Night Fishing: Except as otherwise provided by rule, all waters open to fishing are open to fishing 24 hours a day. [PL 2015, c . Fish and Wildlife Service and therefore may not be fished or harvested. All inland waters (including rivers, streams and brooks) are open to the taking of baitfish for personal use unless designated closed to the taking of live baitfish (see Special Fishing Laws on page 5), with the following conditions: It is unlawful to import any live baitfish or smelts into the State of Maine. Yes, unlike most states with a single free fishing day, Maine has more than three free fishing days when everyone can enjoy fishing. Snagging: To fish by manipulating a hook or hooks in such a manner as to pierce or snag the fish in a part of the body other than the mouth (Title 12, 10001-58). Clean off plants, animals, and mud from gear and equipment including waders, footwear, ropes, anchors, bait traps, dip nets, downrigger cables, fishing lines, and field gear before leaving water access. Yes, in Maine, you can fish for sturgeon, steelhead, and salmon on private property without a fishing license. Most fishing supply stores that sell soft plastic lures also sell retention devices. For example, whether you are in the Northern or Southern half of the state, there are different general law season dates, brook trout bag limits, and bass bag, and length limits for fishing in lakes and ponds. It unlawful to alter smelts (including removal of head, tail or innards) from their natural state until a wet measure has been conducted. A. Read . During winter months, you'll generally find them close to shore in water depths of 4 to 12 feet. Splake feed primarily on smelts, white perch, yellow perch, and minnows, rarely feeding on other coldwater gamefish. Closed Waters: All inland waters, including those in Indian Territory, are closed to ice fishing except those opened by rule (Open Water Fishing Title 12, 12453, Ice Fishing Title 12, 12454). (source). Instead, dispose of used lures in a trash can or recycling canister. When designing a regulation, we carefully consider the water body, location, water quality, species composition, and the desires of anglers. Ice Fishing Trap (Tip-Up): An ice fishing implement for storing line, designed to be set through the ice and to indicate when something has disturbed the attached bait. 41 State House Station Slot Limits: These regulations are bound by the upper and lower length limits, with the intent of directing harvest to specific parts of a fish population while protecting others. No minimum length. If needed contact info - HERE, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. This pond is open to water fishing between October 1 and the end of November. Low Bag Limits: Lower bag limits are intended to distribute the catch over a longer period and among more anglers. Maine Fishing Laws - CGIS Solutions Many of Maine's fisheries can only be accessed by using private lands. 353 Water Street A person fishing through the ice for cusk in the nighttime shall visit at least once every hour all lines set by that person for cusk. In Maine, fishing regulations are implemented for many reasons, including: We're scientists, so we don't mind questions! On the other hand, anyone under 16 years old can fish for free in Maine, which means that your kids can tag along, and you wont have to pay more to teach them how to fish. In 2019, Maine started recognizing folks outside the United States as non-residents and giving them the non-resident license instead of the alien one. 2021 Fishing Laws Available Online Being a responsible user of the Maine outdoors means staying informed of, and complying with, the current laws and rules. All trout, landlocked salmon, and . (source). This does not apply to baitfish (Title 12, 12553-2). Some of the most common types of license in Maine include: If you love fishing in Maine and want access to its waters for the rest of your life, then you should try the lifetime license. Soft plastic lures can wear out and get brittle, stretch, or rip, increasing the likelihood that they could fall off your hook. Still, you may have to pay a processing or issuance fee in most stores. Note: This does not apply to private ponds. The rationale behind bag limits, bait restrictions, and other fishing regulations. The Department is committed to educating anglers on the environmental concerns related to soft plastic lures in the water and on the land, proper disposal of soft plastic lures, and steps to take to prevent unintentional loss while fishing. 353 Water Street jigging copper lures. During the summer months, you're more likely to find them in depths of 10 to 35 feet. The Pine Tree State is known for being one of the lushest states, thanks to the over 40,000 acres of wild blueberries, but did you know that its an exceptional anglers destination?
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