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GREENVILLE, Maine -- The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is holding a public hearing at the Greenville High School Auditorium August 31 at 6:30 p.m. to consider regulation changes for the 1999 - 2001 ice fishing and open water fishing seasons. This is one of nine public hearings being held around the state by the Department regarding proposed changes to the 2000 and 2001 fishing season. Regulations are needed to conserve and enhance fishing opportunities throughout the state, and are reviewed biannually.
Fishing quality on Moosehead Lake has improved greatly this year. Changes are being proposed to improve the catch rate and size of the salmon caught during the open water season. The proposal will close the lake to the taking of salmon during ice fishing season. The lake would still be open to ice fishing for species such as brook trout and togue.
Paul Johnson regional fisheries biologist and his staff indicate that heavy fishing pressure during the ice fishing season is impacting the quality of the open water salmon fishery. Improving the open water fishery was a goal determined by the Moosehead Forum, a Focus Group convened by the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The only remaining option for improving open water fishing is reducing the winter take of salmon.
In nearby Chesuncook Lake, in order to sustain this important fishery the department seeks to reduce the handling mortality of landlocked salmon during ice fishing season, and the department is proposing a two line limit for ice fisherman.
"Anglers this past winter had no problems reaching their creel limit on Chesuncook, and because they were handling so many fish, the mortality was higher than it should be. Limiting anglers to two lines ice fishing will still provide anglers a very good opportunity to get their limit while also protecting the salmon resource by reducing hooking mortality," said Johnson.
Other proposals submitted by the department and the public will also be discussed at the hearing.
The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 31 at the Greenville High School Auditorium on Pritham Avenue in Greenville. If you can not make the meeting, you still can register your comments by mail until September 10, 1999. Contact Andrea Erskine, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, 41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.
Uploaded: 8/21/1999
Uploaded: 8/21/1999