Maine Outdoor Journal

By Bruce Joule

The 2009 saltwater regulations are available, and so are the fish, both inshore and offshore.

With stripers and mackerel in our inshore waters and cod and haddock there for the taking outside, the 2009 season is well under way. Not coincidently, this is also the time of year that the Department of Marine Resources' Saltwater Recreational Program is swamped with inquires about regulations.

I will be doing this column every other Sunday from now until the end of September, so I would like to use this first installment to let anglers know what's up, regulation-wise. If you have questions, need more information about a specific topic or just want to report a good catch, e-mail me at: Bruce.Joule@maine.gov. You can also contact the Saltwater Recreational Program by calling 633-9505 anytime, and by following the prompts, you can hear or request paper copies of this year's regulations.

If you are interested in learning about or participating in some of our other angler programs (Tackle-Busters, Volunteer Angler Logbook Program, Maine State Saltwater Records, etc.) check us out on the Web at: www.maine.gov/dmr/recreational/rechomepage.html or give me a call.


STRIPED BASS : Federal regulation: It is unlawful to fish for, take or possess striped bass in federal waters, greater than three miles from shore.

Statewide regulations: Open always, except the Kennebec watershed (see below). A person may take and possess one fish per day. The fish may be between 20 and 26 inches total length, inclusive, or 40 inches or greater in total length. Personal use only, sale is prohibited. Fish must remain whole and intact. Hook and line only, no gaffing of striped bass.

Kennebec regulations, including the Sheepscot and Androscoggin Rivers and all related bays and tributaries: Open season is July 1 through Nov. 30, inclusive.

Closed season: Striped bass fishing is prohibited from Dec. 1 through April 30, inclusive.

The Kennebec watershed is defined as all coastal waters inside and upstream of a line drawn from the outer extremity of Cape Small, in Phippsburg, to the outer extremity of Salter Island, thence to the outer extremity of Cape Newagen, in Southport. This area includes the coastal waters of Popham Beach and the adjoining state park, Reid State Park, and all riverine waters of the Kennebec, Sheepscot and Androscoggin rivers, including all bays and tributaries of those rivers to the head of tide. Due to the removal of Edwards dam, the "head of tide" in the Kennebec River for enforcement purposes is now at the downstream side of the power line located upstream of the Calumet Bridge at Old Fort Western Bridge in Augusta.
ATLANTIC COD: Minimum size 24 inches; 10 fish per person per day. Cannot retain cod from Nov. 1 to April 15, inclusive.
ATLANTIC MACKEREL: No minimum size or bag limits.
ATLANTIC SALMON: It is unlawful to angle, take or possess any Atlantic salmon from Maine waters (including coastal waters).
BROWN TROUT: Minimum size 14 inches; two fish per angler per day.
BLUEFISH: No minimum size; three fish per angler per day.
HADDOCK: Minimum size 18 inches; no bag limit.
HALIBUT: Minimum size 38 inches; one fish per boat per day. All retained fish shall immediately be tagged with an approved landings tag.
POLLOCK: Minimum size 19 inches. Exception: a creel limit of six pollock per person per day that are under 19 inches is allowed for recreational fishermen in Maine territorial seas.
REDFISH: Minimum size 9 inches; no bag limits.
RAINBOW SMELT: Method of take: hook and line, dip net. Bag limit: June 16-March 14: no limit, personal use only unless harvester holds commercial fishing license; no license is required to sell smelts taken through the ice. March 15-June 15: Two quart limit regardless of method of take.
SHAD: No minimum size; a person may fish for or possess only two fish per day.
WINTER FLOUNDER: Minimum size 12 inches; eight fish per angler per day. Please note that when fishing for groundfish, recreational anglers are limited to two hooks per line and one line per angler.
TUNA AND SHARKS: An Atlantic HMS Angling permit is required for all vessels fishing recreationally for Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish. For more information, contact the NMFS at 978-281-9260 or visit http://nmfspermits.com.
We have had many inquiries about what a person needs to take people out fishing for a fee. In addition to the standard U.S. Coast Guard six-passenger license (which everyone who is taking paying passengers must have), a captain who is charging people must have a Maine Tidewater Guides license. Those who fail to have one and are checked by the Marine Patrol face a mandatory three-day stay in jail, plus a hefty fine. Call me if you have questions.

As always, the sale of fish by recreational anglers is prohibited.
A GLIMPSE OF '09 REGULATIONS : STRIPED BASS: In state waters, one fish per day, from 20 to 26 inches total length, or 40 inches or longer total length.
BROWN TROUT: Minimum size 14 inches; two fish per angler per day.
BLUEFISH: No minimum size; three fish per angler per day.
TO HEAR OR TO REQUEST paper copies of the 2009 saltwater regulations, call 633-9505 and follow the prompts.

This report is prepared by Bruce Joule, Maine Department of Marine Resources, P.O. Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor 04575. Call 633-9505 or e-mail: bruce.joule@maine.gov