253 North Dexter Road, Dexter, ME 04930
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253 North Dexter Road, Dexter, ME 04930 |
Winners were:
Long Lake in Belgrade is open again this winter. Everyone should be aware that it will be closed to ice fishing next year. After another 3 years of evaluation and sampling, IFW will be able to make a decision as to opening the lake again or keeping it closed. It all depends upon the effect of ice fishing to reduce the number of pike and how that relates to salmon/trout survival. The new regulations effecting commercial harvest of smelt has raised some hackles. Contrary to rumors, MIAA, as an organization, did not take a stand on this bill when it came up for a hearing. However, various groups of our Association expressed their views and were encouraged to do so by the leadership. Because all parties involved would be giving up something in this bill, we felt that the IFW Committee should hear all sides and respond fairly. We think they did. The commercial harvest using drop nets ends with ice out. All 8 quart ponds are closed at ice out and revert back to 2 quart limits for spring dipping (eliminates 8 qt. limits) . The large diameter dipnets are now illegal within 100 feet of a tributary and in that 100 ft area the maximum net size is 24” hoops. All smelt harvested by those with the wholesale license must have and use a #14 grader at the time of taking. Commercial smelt harvest by hand line now requires the use of a #14 grader. Many handliners are upset with this regulation. What many do not understand is that almost all of the lakes that are good producers of smelt (caught by hook/line) are managed salmonid lakes. Because of the heavy fishing pressure and the taking of large numbers of small smelt, something had to happen. Either the eventual closing of the smelt fishery or a method to sort and return the small smelt. We think the use of the grader solves several points of contention and keeps these lakes open to the hook & line fishery. Smelt fishing on a regular fishing license (dip or hook/line) is still a 2 quart limit, however only 5 dozen (60) smelt may be alive. Many complaints about this regulation. Granted, the keeping of the 5 dozen live smelt may seem very restrictive to some, but you must understand the gravity of the enforcement problem of the prior law. Unlawful commercial harvesters were using that loophole. What many don't understand is that the prior law had a 2 quart daily bag and the same possession limit. Which meant all anglers could have no more than 2 quarts of live/dead smelt in their possession at any time unless they had a commercial smelt license. Many anglers with the regular fishing license failed to comply with the law. Now, there is no question about the law, if you wish to catch and possess for you own use more than 2 quarts of smelt (that's about 15/18 dz. smelt), you must purchase a commercial smelt license. I hope this clarifies to everyone the effects of the new regulations. Our web site address is: maineiceanglers.org Visit the site and provide us with your pictures, comments, and suggestions to make it a better internet destination. |
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