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Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission

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REGULATIONS

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The angling season for Atlantic salmon in Maine is CLOSED YEAR ROUND until further notice

Following two public hearings (Machias and Bangor) in November of 1999, the Interim Executive Director recommended to the Atlantic Salmon Board (December 22, 1999) that the State of Maine ban angling for Atlantic salmon in the State of Maine.  The Atlantic Salmon Board approved this recommendation, unanimously, and on December 28, 1999 this closure became effective.

On November 13, 2000, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced Atlantic salmon populations in 8 Maine rivers (Dennys, East Machias, Machias, Pleasant, Narraguagus, Ducktrap and Sheepscot rivers and Cove Brook) were officially declared endangered in those 8 Maine rivers.

Therefore, it is unlawful to angle, take or possess any Atlantic salmon from all Maine waters (including coastal waters), and it is a federal offense to take fish in the above mentioned 8 Maine rivers.  Any salmon incidentally caught, must be released immediately, alive and uninjured.  At no time should the Atlantic salmon be removed from the waters.

Violations of regulations of the Atlantic Salmon Commission are punishable pursuant to12 M.R.S.A., 9902.

Note: See Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife open water fishing law book for regulations concerning fishing near any dam which contains a fishway or trap. For additional regulations and laws, check with the Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Maine Statutes Regulating the Commission

TITLE 12: CONSERVATION