Maine anglers should be aware the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is proposing to change fishing rules on a number of Maine waters. Proposals range from changing the lower protected slot on lake trout in Sebago Lake from 23 inches to 26″, to allowing anglers to harvest unlimited landlocked salmon under 14 inches on a number of the Fish River chain lakes and thoroughfares.
The Departments 2018 proposals also include adding 6 waters to the Heritage list and delisting 4. Two of the delisted waters are being removed to allow the Department to stock those particular waters. This is certain to be controversial.
All proposals are posted on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website. Here are direct links.
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/StatewideSpecialsRuleMaking_2019%20FINAL.PDF
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/HeritageAlteredDeletedProposals_2019%20FINAL.PDF
One Public Hearing is scheduled:
Date, time and location of Public Hearing: Tues, August 14, 2018 @ 6:00 p.m. – Hilton Garden Inn, Ballroom C, 250 Haskell Road, Bangor
Anyone unable to attend the public hearing may submit written comments on any of the proposals to Becky Orff, Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 284 State Street, #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333; becky.orff@maine.gov. The deadline to submit comments is August 24, 2018.