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Contact: Deborah Turcotte, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333


Telephone: work (207) 287-6008 cell (207) 592-1164

Fax: (207) 287-6395

September 14, 2009

IF&W Surveying Anglers on Wild Brook Trout

Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) is asking anglers to give us their opinions on Maine’s wild brook trout fishing opportunities.

Maine’s native and wild brook trout populations represent a unique, valuable and irreplaceable resource. The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture recently proclaimed Maine the last true stronghold for wild brook trout in the eastern United States, with more than twice the number of intact watersheds as the other 16 states in the eastern range combined.

MDIFW 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 United States to get their opinions about wild brook trout 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.

Among the topics covered in the questionnaire 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?

Maine residents and non-residents each have a separate questionnaire they may answer. To take part in the survey, please go to www.mefishwildlife.com and click on the “Wild Brook Trout Initiative Questionnaire.”

“Anglers’ preferences will help MDIFW guide the future management of our brook trout resources. 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,” according to John Boland, Director of Fisheries Operations. “We’re hopeful that the anglers who fish Maine’s wild brook trout waters will develop a vested interest in protecting these resources.”

Recently, the Department’s Wild Brook Trout Initiative received two grants for the development of the web site and to fund other aspects of this endeavor. The Betterment Fund, created by the will of the late William Bingham 2nd of Bethel, awarded $5,000 to the project, and retailer L.L. Bean of Freeport contributed $3,000.

“The Department has received enthusiastic support from around Maine with respect to this Wild Brook Trout Initiative,” Boland 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.”