New Rules Proposed Regarding Use Of Bait In Northern Maine

By Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Moosehead Lake Region [caption id="attachment_3403" align="alignright" width="333"] A fine Arctic charr caught in the Moosehead Lake Region[/caption] If you keep your ear to the tracks regarding fishing in Maine, then you’ve probably heard about the Department’s proposal to change rules pertaining to the use of live fish as

Giving Landlocked Salmon a Head Start in Crescent Lake

By Fisheries Biologist Nick Kalejs Here in Maine, we are lucky to have an abundance of coldwater fisheries. Still, perhaps no fish is more closely linked to the Sebago Lake Region than the landlocked salmon. In fact, landlocked salmon are often referred to as Sebago salmon. Over twenty lakes and ponds in the area, many within the Sebago Lake basin, are stocked annually with landlocked salmon, providing exciting recreational fisheries in many unique bodies of water.

Have you purchased a new fishing rod lately? How about a new tackle box? If so, then thank you!

By Joe Overlock, Fisheries Management Supervisor Most people don’t realize that when they buy fishing gear, they are directly helping the fish they love to catch. It is all thanks to a law passed in 1950 called the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act (named after the congressmen who spearheaded the effort).

Intervale Brook: Restoring a Historically Log Driven Stream in Maine

By Merry Gallagher, Native Fish Conservation Biologist Historically, many Maine streams were used to transport logs from the woods to the mills.  To increase the efficiency of moving the logs, boulders, in-stream logs and other habitat features were removed, stream channels were often bulldozed and straightened to facilitate log transport, and side channels and flood plain access would be blocked or bermed.  These operations degraded trout habitat by decreasing the overall quantity and quality of pools, removing in-stream structures and cover elements beneficial to fish, and

Lake Whitefish Research Underway

New study may shed light on how lake whitefish populations can persist in the presence of smelt By Dylan Whitaker, Whitefish Research Technician Lake whitefish, a Maine native, can be a prime target for ice anglers interested in jigging up large fish on small tackle.

Early Winter Conditions Present Unique Challenges for Fishery Management

By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Kevin Dunham The fall of 2018 was a challenging one meteorologically for conducting some fishery management activities.  After all, a large portion of our daily duties takes place outdoors (Yes!) and, somewhat perversely, most fisheries biologists don’t mind working in adverse weather and actually find it “relaxing”.  To a point. Our

Branch Lake’s Coldwater Fisheries Have Come Roaring Back

By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Greg Burr For years, Branch Lake in Ellsworth possessed a vibrant coldwater fishery, but in 2000, public access to the lake ended.

Early Season Ice Fishing Opportunities Abound In Region D In Western Maine

By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Dave Howatt Winter has come early to western Maine. Ice thickness is steadily growing on many of our waters, and the conditions continue to get better and better.

Moosehead Lake: The Year of the Brook Trout

[caption id="attachment_3218" align="alignright" width="466"] IFW biologists handled this handsome male brook trout in the fall of 2018 that weighed in at 7.3 lbs.[/caption] By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Tim Obrey I know the Chinese calendar says 2018 was the year of the dog, but for those that fish Moosehead Lake, it was the year of the brook trout…big brook trout.  It seemed like w

Lake Saint George – Trap Net Results Mean Very Good Things for the Upcoming Winter Fishery

  By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Wes Ashe The Saint George River flows approximately 50-miles from its headwaters in the town of Liberty to its estuary in Thomaston. Along its route, the St. George has long stretches of flowing riverine habitat and seven lakes encompassing nearly 3,000 acres.