MDIFW Blog
Aerial Angling Surveys
To effectively manage a body of water for a specific species or type of species, fisheries biologists employ multiple survey and study methods to observe the dynamics of that population or species. They use multiple netting techniques during different seasons and target certain species with each study attempt. However, one of the preferred methods of collecting information about a specific fishery is to ask the people with the most recreation time invested using that fishery, the anglers. In my post Spring Fishing Census, I explained about creel surveys, what they are and why we do them.
C&R Not For All Waters
[caption id="attachment_382" align="alignleft" width="225"] Biologist Jim Pellerin shows a lake trout caught while studying a southern Maine pond.[/caption] For years conservationists everywhere have been preaching conservative angling practices, such as catch and release, in
Hatching and Fledging Birds
Living with wildlife, and allowing wildlife to live with us and despite us, may be difficult at times. With urban sprawl, and the human population branching out into more rural areas, the number of human-wildlife interactions are on the rise. Some of these interactions are exciting and harmless, some are a bit frightful and remind us that wildlife is just that, wild, and some may seem innocuous to us, but may put the critter in peril.
Spring Family Fishing
It's finally spring in Maine and as the ice and snow slowly disappear many of us are itching to get outdoors! In my opinion, there is no better way to get out and enjoy some time together than wetting a line and taking in all the beauty that Maine has to offer.
Spring Fishing Census
[caption id="attachment_379" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Greg Massey and Bob Giguire proudly show one of their spring salmon.[/caption] As the lakes and ponds throughout the state are thawing after a long winter, anglers are itching to get out on the open water.
Fish Fry Growing
First and foremost, before we get into some fishy talk, I’d like to apologize for my absence on this blog the last several weeks. I have switched positions, headquarters, and many duties within MDIFW and will continue to post about three entries I hope you find interesting every month. I am fortunate that with my new position, I will continue to work with the hatcheries division, fisheries division, and wildlife division, and will attempt to keep the blog entries diverse.
Barrow's Surveys
Last week’s adventure consisted of tagging along with our waterfowl biologist on Barrow’s goldeneye surveys. I was excited at the prospect of finding some Barrow’s along the Maine coast, where many species of waterfowl chill out (no pun intended) during the winter months. Admittedly, I had never seen a Barrow’s before, and was more than a little rusty on my Barrow’s goldeneye facts.
Winter Fishing Tips
Most anglers are aware that in the summer when the waters are warming and the lakes and ponds are stratifying, different species of fish will occupy different depths and/or areas of the lake depending upon what they require for oxygen levels and habitat. Many of the salmonids like salmon and lake trout require lots of oxygen, which is carried by colder water, so these species can be found at greater depths. Warmwater fish such as bass require far less oxygen and may be found in the shallows.
Deer Tidbits- A Guest Post
This writing was submitted to me by a colleague of mine, Kendall Marden, from our Sidney office. Kendall is a wildlife biologist, who has years of experience in that field. As some of you may know if you've been reading MDIF&Ws weekly reports, the weekly report is being changed to a monthly report. Kendall wrote this piece for that report, but forwarded it to me when the scheduling changed, 'just in case [I] was looking for something to post for the blog'. Upon reading it my curiosity was piqued and I thought some other readers might enjoy it.
Eyed up Eggs
[caption id="attachment_377" align="alignleft" width="300"] Fish eggs incubating.[/caption] As you may recall, one of my earlier entries was about the salmon egg take at the Raymond fish trap, posted on November 26, 2012.
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