General Fishing Laws And Statutes
May 12, 2008
STATUTES (TITLE 12 MRSA)
1. VIOLATION OF LIMITS. It is unlawful to fish for or possess fish in violation of the number, amount, or size limits of any rule adopted by the commissioner. (§12602)
2. ILLEGAL FISHING. Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish other than by the use of the single baited hook and line, artificial flies, artificial lures and spinners. (§12654)
3. USE OF ILLEGAL IMPLEMENTS. Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish with grapnel, spear, spear gun, trawl, weir, gaff, seine, gill net, trap, or set lines. (§12656)
4. POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL IMPLEMENTS. Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to possess any grapnel, spear, spear gun, trawl, weir, seine, gill net, trap, or set line on or adjacent to any of the inland waters. (§12656)
5. USE OF EXPLOSIVE, POISONOUS OR STUPEFYING SUBSTANCE. It is unlawful to take or destroy any fish by use of an explosive, poisonous or stupefying substance. (§12653)
6. ADVANCE BAITING. It is unlawful to deposit any meat, bones, dead fish, or other food material for the purpose of luring fish. However, it is lawful to place food particles in a baitfish trap for the purpose of luring baitfish. (§12657)
7. SALE OF CERTAIN FISH PROHIBITED. It is unlawful to buy or sell, directly or indirectly, trout, togue, landlocked salmon, black 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). (§12609-A)
8. FAILURE TO LABEL FISH. It is unlawful to keep black bass, salmon, togue or trout at any sporting camp, hotel, or public lodging place without attaching to the fish the name and address of the person who caught them. (§12608)
9. SNAGGING. Except as provided in #12 (below), it is unlawful to fish for any fish by snagging. (§12651)
10. SALMON EGGS AS BAIT. Commercially prepared eggs from species that do not naturally occur in this State may be used for bait. (§12553)
11. 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 shall be the same as for trout and salmon.
12. SUCKERS. A person licensed or otherwise entitled to fish may take suckers for their own use between April 1st and June 30th from all rivers, brooks, and streams which are open to fishing by use of a hand spear, bow and arrow or by snagging. (Note: If suckers are taken by bow and arrow, the arrow must have a barbed or pronged point and must be attached to the bow with a line). (§12506)
13. IMPORTATION OF FISH. It is unlawful to import any live freshwater fish or eggs into this State without written permission from the Commissioner. (§12556)
14. ALEWIVES. A licensed fisherman may take one bushel of alewives daily from inland waters by use of a dip net or single hook and line for consumption by himself or members of his family, except that alewives may not be taken from waters where a municipality or individual has been granted exclusive rights under laws regulating marine resources. (§12506)
15. USE OF LIVE FISH AS BAIT. See bait dealers laws.
16. FISHWAY DAMS. The area within 150 feet of any operational fishway is located is closed to fishing except: At the following places, the fishway and the area within 75 feet of any part of the fishway are closed to fishing at all times:
(1) Grand Falls Powerhouse Dam on St. Croix River in Baileyville.
(2) Woodland Dam on the St. Croix River in Baileyville.
At the following places, the area within 75 feet of the mouth of the fishway is closed to fishing at all times:
(1) East Grand Lake Dam in Forest City Township, T9R4 NBPP;
(2) Spednic Lake Dam in Vanceboro.
At the so-called ice control dam on the Narraguagus River in the Town of Cherryfield, the area within 100 feet of the dam shall be closed to fishing at all times; and,
At the East Outlet Dam in Sapling Township (T1 R7) in Somerset County and in Big Moose Township (T2R6) in Piscataquis County at the outlet of Moosehead Lake; the fishway and the area within 50 feet of any part of the fishway shall be closed to fishing at all times.There is no fishing in or from the fishway at the Sheepscot Lake Dam in the Town of Palermo in Waldo County.
(Note: These provisions do not restrict the taking of alewives and smelts in accordance with laws regulating marine resources). (§12457)
17. SPECIAL BAG LIMIT. Whenever any waters have a special bag limit, no person shall possess more than one day’s bag limit taken from those waters.
18. MARK FISH. It is unlawful to tag, fin clip, or otherwise mark any fish to be released alive into the inland waters of the State without the expressed written consent of the Commissioner.
19. SPECIES IDENTIFICATION. It is unlawful to possess or transport fish dressed in such a manner that the species of the fish cannot be identified unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking. (Smoking does not constitute cooking).
20. REMOVAL OF HEADS AND TAILS. It is unlawful to alter the length of salmon, trout, lake trout, lake whitefish, and black bass unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking. (Smoking does not constitute cooking).
21. THOROUGHFARES. The general fishing laws which govern lakes and ponds also apply to throughfares (includes seasons, bag limits, length limits, etc.)
22. LEGAL FISH BECOME PART OF THE DAILY BAG LIMIT. Any fish, except baitfish and smelts, legally taken from inland waters must be immediately released alive into the waters from which it was taken or must be killed at once. Any fish killed becomes part of the daily bag limit. (§12611)
23. LEAD SINKERS. A person may not sell or offer for sale a lead sinker for fishing that contains any lead and weighs 1/2 ounce or less. (§12663-A)
24. BAIT CONTAINERS. A person who sells bait may not provide or sell the bait in containers that are composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam plastic. This does not apply to baitfish. (§12553-2)
Definitions of Maine Fishing Rules And Regulations
May 12, 2008
Artificial Lure means any fishing lure constructed by humans as an imitation or substitute for natural bait or fish forage and includes, but is not limited to artificial flies, spinners, spoons, poppers, plugs, jigs and plastic, rubber or other artificial imitations of natural bait. An artificial lures only rule prohibits the use of any live, dead or chemically preserved natural or organic bait or food.
Dip Net except when taking smelts in a tributary or within 100 feet of the mouth of a tributary, a device consisting of a rigid frame filled with netting, firmly attached to a rigid handle and manually operated by a single person; and when used to take smelts in a tributary or within 100 feet of the mouth of a tribuarty, a device consisting of a rigid circular frame that is not more than 24 inches in diameter as measured at any point on the hoop, filled with netting, firmly attached to a rigid handle and manually operated by a single person. (Title 12, §10001)
To Fish means to take, catch, kill, molest or destroy, or attempt to take, catch, kill, molest, or destroy any fish.
Fly means a single-pointed hook dressed with feathers, hair, thread, tinsel, or any similar material to which no additional hook, spinner, spoon or similar device is added.
FLY FISHING means casting upon water and retrieving in a manner in which the weight of the fly line propels the fly. No more than 3 unbaited artificial flies individually attached to a line may be used. (NOTE: It is unlawful to troll a fly in waters restricted to fly fishing only).
HOOK means a single fishhook constructed with 1, 2 or 3 points.
MINIMUM LEGAL LENGTH is the total length of a fish measured from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail with the lobes of the tail squeezed together.
SALMON means the same as landlocked salmon.
SET LINE means a line extending into the water and rigged to catch fish that has one end secured to the shore or to a fixed or buoyant object and that is not personally attended.
SINGLE-BAITED HOOK means a single baited apparatus designed to catch only one fish at a time.
SNAGGING means 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.
TRIBUTARY means a brook, stream, or river flowing directly or indirectly into a lake, pond, or another brook, stream, or river. A lake or great pond shall not be construed to mean tributary. The tributary to a great pond shall not be considered a tributary to the outlet of that great pond.
TROLL means to fish by trailing a line rigged to catch fish behind a watercraft being propelled by mechanical, wind, or manual power. (Tandem flies are allowed when trolling.)
Maine Fishing Today
May 12, 2008
Maine Fishing Today
Maine Fishing Today is an Internet fishing magazine complete with articles and stories from experienced outdoor writers and your average everyday fisherman who is just dying to tell his/her story. Maine Fishing Today has fishing tips, photos, forums and pages of valuable resources to aid you in your fishing experience.
While you’re visiting, make sure to check out the Daily Bag Limit, a fishing blog that covers news, insight, opinion and commentary all about the world of fishing.
Milt Inman Photo
Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce
May 12, 2008
Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce
8 Station Place
PO Box 1247, Bethel, 04217
207-824-2282
1-800-442-5826
E-Mail – info@bethelmaine.com
Website – www.bethelmaine.com
Along with providing information on activities, shopping, and dining in the greater Bethel area, the Bethel Area Chamber offers a one-call reservation service for a variety of lodging. The Bethel Area Chamber is open daily at its headquarters at the Railroad Station. Restrooms and free internet access.
True North Adventureware
May 9, 2008
True North Adventureware
196 Walkers Mills Rd, Bethel 04217
207-824-2201
E-Mail – adventureware@mac.com
Website – www.truenorthadventureware.com
Outdoor sport shop offering clothing, footwear and accessories for fishing and outdoor activities, full selection of hats, compasses, maps, camping gear and sun-protection clothing. Open 7 days.
Sun Valley Sports & Guide Service
May 9, 2008
Sun Valley Sports & Guide Service
129 Sunday River Road, Bethel 04217
207-824-7533
877-851-7533
E-Mail – svs@sunvalleysports.com
Website – www.sunvalleysports.com
Drift boat and wading trips on the Upper Andro in Maine and New Hampshire, Orvis endorsed Master Maine Guides Rocky & Lisa Freda, Nate Wight, William Clunie, and Dick Walthers.
Western Maine’s only Orvis Dealer & Fly Shop, fishing licenses, hatch info, canoe & kayak rentals, ATV tours, Moose safaris, whitewater raft trips, casting instruction, Cabin rental.
Open 8 am – 5 pm daily.
Setter’s Point, Inc.
May 9, 2008
Setter’s Point, Inc.
613 Sawin Hill Rd, Albany Township 04217
207-824-8824
E-Mail – jell@megalink.net
Website – www.setterspoint.com
Master Maine Guide, fly fishing, wading and drift boat, private 2 acre stocked trout pond, year round bird hunting & clay shooting on registered commercial shooting area of 215 acres.
Moose Rock Guide Service
May 9, 2008
Moose Rock Guide Service
William Clunie – Maine Master Guide
P.O. Box 124
49 Main St.
Dixfield, Maine 04224
207-562-7564
Cell: 207-491-1254
Email: info@mooserock.org
Website: http://www.mooserock.org
Master Maine Guide – Fly-Fishing Instruction – B&B-style Lodging
Whatever your outdoor needs, Moose Rock Guide Service can help you have a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience. From an early-morning fishing trip-of-a-lifetime or a spine-tingling coyote-calling adventure, to a calming sunset photo tour or a peaceful river canoe trip, Moose Rock Guide Service offers the ultimate outdoor getaway.
Aardvark Outfitters
May 9, 2008
Aardvark Outfitters
108 Fairbanks Road, Farmington 04938
207-778-3330
www.AardvarkOutfitters.com
A fly fishing guide service specializing in drift boat adventures on the Androscoggin and wade fishing the legendary Rapid River. FFF certified casting instructor, Bob Dionne, will introduce anglers to new waters and help them become better anglers. Retail sales of outdoor gear including rods, reels, canoes and kayaks.
Fishing Rules And Regulations
May 9, 2008
Fishing Rules and Regulations
For a complete listing of fishing rules and regulations.
The following links provide you with partial and/or general provisions of the rulings governing fishing in Maine. You should always carry a law book and fully understand the laws governing the waters you are fishing. These publications are for your convenience only.
Bag Limits/Possession/Minimum Lengths/Seasons
Special Regulations ( S-Codes )
Buy Your Fishing License Online
Boating Rules and Regulations
For a complete listing of the boating laws
A Message From The Commissioner
A Message From the Boating Law Administrators
