Maine DIFW reminds of annual law changes for river, stream, brook fishing
(Photo courtesy Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife)
(Photo courtesy Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife)
Each year on August 16 general law fishing regulations change for river, stream and brook fishing. Under general law, from August 16 to September 30, rivers, streams, and brooks remain open to open water fishing using artificial lures or flies only. Bait fish, smelt, and worms cannot be used under general law during this time. General law length and bag limits apply, except daily bag limit one landlocked salmon and one brook trout.
This annual law change helps protect Maine's salmonids as they prepare to spawn in the fall.
Always check the special fishing laws to see if the water you are fishing has special exceptions to the General Law. You can view special fishing laws on the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website or use the map-based display of fishing laws called FLOAT.
