New fishing rules proposed to protect native fish

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has proposed new rules to protect Maine’s native brook trout and charr. Two public hearings are scheduled in March, and written comments can be submitted until April 1.

Here’s a summary of the proposal, with info about the hearing and submittal of comments.

BRIEF SUMMARY: The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing a change to the general law for fishing regulations in the North Region (Franklin, Somerset, Piscataquis, Aroostook, and northern portions of Oxford and Penobscot Counties) to further protect wild trout waters, including tributaries and outlets of heritage ponds in the NorthRegion. The change would prohibit use and possession of live fish as bait, except where designated by special rule, reducing the chance of new introductions of baitfish and other fish in the vast majority of flowing waters, dead-waters and small ponds in the North Region. The majority of waters with traditional use of live fish as bait will continue to be allowed. A new section in General Law titled “Terminal Gear” is also being proposed. The list of affected waters and amended general law may be obtained from the Agency Contact Person below or online at: http://www.maine.gov/ifw

Anyone unable to attend the public hearings may submit written comments on the proposal. If adopted, the proposal will become effective January 1, 2020.

Date, time and location of PUBLIC HEARINGS:

March 18, 2019 @ 5:30pm – Baxter Park Inn, 935 Central Street, Millinocket

March 20, 2019 @ 5:30pm – Camden National Bank Ice Vault, 203 Whitten Road, Hallowell

COMMENT DEADLINE: April 1, 2019

CONTACT PERSON FOR THIS FILING: Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 284 State Street, #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333; becky.orff@maine.gov

George Smith

About George Smith

George stepped down at the end of 2010 after 18 years as the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine to write full time. He writes a weekly editorial page column in the Kennebec Journal and Waterville Morning Sentinel, a weekly travel column in those same newspapers (with his wife Linda), monthly columns in The Maine Sportsman magazine, two outdoor news blogs (one on his website, georgesmithmaine.com, and one on the website of the Bangor Daily News), and special columns for many publications and newsletters. Islandport Press published a book of George's favorite columns, "A Life Lived Outdoors" in 2014. In 2014, George also won a Maine Press Association award for writing the state's bet sports blog. In 2016, Down East Books published George's book, Maine Sporting Camps, and Islandport Press published George and his wife Linda's travel book, Take It From ME, about their favorite Maine inns and restaurants.