AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The early ice-out on Maine lakes has prompted a hastily enacted law to start the open water fishing season now.
A lone mallard swims along the shore of Lake Auburn in Maine Monday, March 22, 2010, as the ice-out on the lake is early this year. (AP Photo/Sun Journal, Jose Leiva)
Gov. John Baldacci on Thursday signed a bill that opens the fishing season on all lakes, ponds and brooks where the season would normally begin April 1. That does not include waters with specific regulations that start the season after April 1, as listed in the 2008-2009 Open Water Fishing Law Book.
For lakes and ponds where fishing starts early, bag and size limit rules in the 2008-2009 Open Water Fishing Law Book apply until the new rule books come out April 1.
Inland fisheries Commissioner Roland "Danny" Martin says people have been anxious to drop their lines since ice fishing ended early in some parts of the state.
Report a correction
In order to make comments, you must verify your account.
In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.
Login or create an account here.
Our policy prohibits comments that are:
- Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
- Excessively foul and/or vulgar
- Inappropriately sexual
- Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
- Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
- Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.