Maine State Library Maine State Documents Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Law Books Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 1-1-2005 Maine Ice Fishing 2005/2006 Regulations Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_law_books Recommended Citation "Maine Ice Fishing 2005/2006 Regulations" (2005). Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Law Books. 454. http://digitalmaine.com/ifw_law_books/454 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Law Books by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STATE OF MAINE ICE FISHING 2005/2006 REGULATIONS Regulations effective Ice-in 2005 - March 31, 2006 www.mefishwildlife.com A MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR I want to thank you for choosing to ice fish in Maine. Maine is well known for its wealth of natural resources. Those of us who live and visit Maine recognize the value of Maine’s waterways. Where else but Maine can you fish in over 6,000 lakes and ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams for gamefish such as brook trout, landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass. Over 260,000 people fish in Maine each year, creating an economic impact of nearly $300 million annually. These anglers support over $100 million of wages and salaries, and generate nearly $200 million in retail sales. They also reel in nearly $20 million in tax revenue to the state. Your fishing license dollars not only are a boon to the state’s economy, but it is your license dollars that fund the Department of Inland fisheries and Wildlife. These dollars are used to enhance fishing opportunities, raise and stock fish, protect habitat and ensure and create access to our waters. Your license dollars are an investment in Maine. Thank you for purchasing a Maine fishing license this year, and investing in Maine’s outdoor future. John E. Baldacci Governor HOW TO USE THIS BOOK • Determine the town and county of the body of water you will be fishing. • Read the instructions under the county heading. • Then look for the body of water. • Read all the codes relating to that water. • An S code refers to Special Regulations listed on page 6. • Most brooks, streams, and rivers are closed to ice fishing. • Any that are open are listed. There are no longer county specials, specials are now in with the specific water body. 1 Special Regulations: page 6 A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER Thank you for choosing to ice fish in Maine. What an array of choices now await you — over 6,000 lakes and ponds throughout the state, each uniquely a part of Maine. Before going ice fishing this year, please familiarize yourself with the rules and regula- tions on the water that you wish to fish. We tailor laws to many individual waters, not only to protect a resource, but also to improve it. Through surveys, we have learned that on some waters, people want to try for a trophy fish, and on other waters, anglers may only be interested in the total number of fish they catch. When you purchase a license, funds from the license sale are used to improve and protect the fisheries throughout the state. It helps pay for stocking, research, surveys, and enforcement, all of which are designed to enhance our fisheries. We want to hear what you think about fishing in Maine. This year, when you are done fishing in Maine, please log on to www.triptracks.com. At this site, you can record data about your fishing trips which will be used by our biologists to better manage the state’s fisheries. TripTracks is a more modern, user-friendly way for us to gather information on fishing throughout the state. Your comments assist us in the management of many of Maine’s favorite fishing waters, so I hope you take the time to let us know what you may have caught and how many hours you have spent enjoying Maine while fishing. Enjoy the privileges that come with purchasing a Maine Fishing License. Maine is a wonderful state where the changes in seasons only means changes in opportunities. Roland D. Martin Commissioner The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior. Accordingly, all Department programs and activities must be operated free from discrimination in regard to race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against should write to the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. Special Regulations: page 6 2 TABLE CONTENTS STATE OF MAINE OF ICE FISHING REGULATIONS ICE-IN 2005 – MARCH 31, 2006 I. General Laws Season/Bag/Possession/Minimum Length Limits ............ 8 General Regulations & Guidelines .............................. 9-10 II. Definitions, Laws and Guidelines Laws Pertaining to Licenses .......................................... 45 Laws Pertaining to Bait Dealers/Use of Live Bait ........... 10 Laws Regarding Ice Fishing Shacks ...............................11 III. Special Exceptions by County Androscoggin ................................................................. 12 Aroostook .................................................................. 13-14 Cumberland ............................................................... 15-16 Franklin........................................................................... 16 Cover photo Hancock .................................................................... 17-19 of Whitney & Kennebec .................................................................. 20-22 Drew Cross Knox ............................................................................... 23 taken by Lincoln ............................................................................ 24 Emily Jones Oxford ........................................................................ 25-26 Penobscot ................................................................. 27-29 Piscataquis ................................................................ 30-32 © 2005 Maine Department of Sagadahoc ..................................................................... 33 Inland Fisheries Somerset ................................................................... 34-35 and Wildlife Waldo ............................................................................. 36 Washington ............................................................... 37-39 York ........................................................................... 40-41 IV. International Boundary and Border Waters New Brunswick/New Hampshire .......................... 42-43 V. General Information Tips on Releasing Fish ....................................................11 Fish Consumption Advisory .............................................. 7 Fish Identification ........................................................... 42 Fishing Derbies & Tournaments ..................................... 10 Ice Conditions ................................................................ 47 IndianTerritory ................................................................. 44 License Fees .................................................................. 45 Sunrise/Sunset Chart for Jan., Feb., & March ............... 46 Free Fishing Days: February 18 – 19, 2006 Free ice fishing days will take place on Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding President’s Day each year. Any person, except those whose license has been revoked or suspended, may fish on these days without a license. All other laws and regulations apply. 3 Special Regulations: page 6 STATE of MAINE DEPARTMENT of INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE ROLAND D. MARTIN Commissioner PAUL F. JACQUES Deputy Commissioner MAIN OFFICE 284 State St., 41 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0041 (207) 287-8000 For our automated line with seasonal information/updates on hunting and fishing seasons and laws — call (207) 287-8003 or visit our website: http://www.mefishwildlife.com REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS Ashland ...... 435-3231 Greenville .... 695-3756 Bangor ....... 941-4440 Jonesboro.... 434-5925 Enfield ........ 732-4132 Sidney ......... 547-5300 Gray ........... 657-2345 Strong .......... 778-3322 If You Are In Need Of The Services Of A Game Warden Call State Police At The Following Toll-Free Numbers Augusta ................ 1-800-452-4664 Orono ................... 1-800-432-7381 Gray ..................... 1-800-482-0730 Skowhegan .......... 1-800-452-4664 Houlton ................. 1-800-924-2261 Thomaston ........... 1-800-452-4664 Members of the Commissioner’s Advisory Council Sheridan R. Oldham — Androscoggin, Kennebec, and Sagadahoc Counties .....872-7136 R. Leo Kieffer (ViceChair) — Aroostook County ....................................................493-3190 Ron Usher — Cumberland County ........................................................................854-8530 John Law — Franklin and Oxford Counties ...........................................................369-0804 David Wardwell — Hancock County .....................................................................326-4128 vacant — Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties ................................................... vacant — Penobscot County .............................................................................. vacant —Piscataquis and Somerset Counties ................................................... Lance Wheaton — Washington County .................................................................448-7726 Robert Savage (Chair) — York County ..................................................................637-2261