AUGUSTA — Seeking help from wild brook trout anglers, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will troll their waters of opinion during a survey.

The results are expected to help the department guide the future of Maine's brookie resources, according to a Monday report.

"The goal is to help anglers enjoy Maine's unique gift of wild brook trout waters in a responsible and sustainable manner while connecting them with fishing services from sporting camps to fly shops," John Boland, director of fishing operations, said.

"We're hopeful that the anglers who fish Maine's brook trout waters will develop a vested interest in protecting these resources," he added.

The department has partnered with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to produce a questionnaire that is being sent via e-mail to tens of thousands of anglers throughout Maine and the nation, the report stated.

Among topics covered are: Do you like fishing ponds or streams? Do you prefer remote or drive-to waters? Fly-fishing with lures or bait? Would you like to hire a registered guide? Do you camp out or stay in a lodge when out fishing?

The questionnaire is part of the Wild Brook Trout Initiative, a three-tiered effort to promote the conservation of wild brook trout, to improve communications with anglers and outdoors groups, and to market Maine's unique wild brook trout resources.

"Maine's native and wild brook trout populations represent a unique, valuable and irreplaceable resource," the report states.

The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture recently proclaimed Maine the last true stronghold for wild brookies in the eastern U.S., with more than twice the number of intact watersheds as the other 16 states in the eastern range combined.

Recently, the department's Wild Brook Trout Initiative received two grants to develop the Web site and to fund other aspects of the endeavor.

The Betterment Fund, created by the will of the late William Bingham II of Bethel, awarded $5,000 to the project. Retailer L.L. Bean of Freeport contributed $3,000, Boland said.

"The department has received enthusiastic support from around Maine with respect to this Wild Brook Trout Initiative," he said. "These donations are greatly appreciated and, hopefully, will pave the way for a productive working relationship with the various groups connected to trout fishing in Maine."

Maine residents and nonresidents each have a separate questionnaire they can answer. To participate, visit the department's Web site and click on the "Wild Brook Trout Initiative Questionnaire."

tkarkos@sunjournal.com