LIMERICK, Maine – An 18-year-old Limerick man was arrested for aggravated assault at 6:20 p.m. today (Saturday, Dec. 29) in connection with a hit-and-run snowmobile-pedestrian accident that seriously injured a 42-year-old man on Friday night.

Patrick Rosa, 18, of Limerick met Maine Warden Service investigators for questioning at 6 p.m. and was arrested 20 minutes later. He was transported to the York County Jail.

The investigation is not ending with Rosa’s arrest, according to MWS Investigator Phillip Dumas.

“We believe that there are others involved and the investigation is continuing,” Dumas said.

The pedestrian, Darrin Smith, 42, of Limerick, was walking his dog on the Limerick Air Field airstrip, which is behind his residence, at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Friday when he was struck. No aid was administered to Mr. Smith after he was hit, Dumas said.

Mr. Smith received multiple fractures, including two severely broken legs and a broken arm. He is hospitalized at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Smith’s seven-year-old daughter found her father in the snow. The Maine Warden Service was notified of the accident at 10 p.m.

Investigator Dugas said Rosa was driving a Ski-Doo Mach Z, a 1000cc machine, at an alleged high rate of speed.

“It’s a big machine,” Dugas said. “And powerful.”

Earlier on Friday, Mr. Smith had filed a complaint with the York County Sheriff’s Office because snowmobilers were using the airstrip – a piece of property that historically was available to snowmobilers but recently was posted as off limits to sledding. Investigator Dumas said it appears that Rosa was not one of the snowmobilers that Smith complained about earlier in the day.

The Maine Warden Service and its Criminal Investigation Unit are working with the York County District Attorney’s Office, the York County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police to investigate the accident. The Limerick Fire Department was used as the investigation headquarters.

Anyone with information on the accident is asked to call the Maine State Police at 1-800-482-0730.

Posted by Tom Remington

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Warden Service is asking the public for any information it may have regarding a hit-and-run snowmobile-pedestrian accident Friday night that seriously injured a 42-year-old Limerick man.

Darren Smith, of Limerick, born in 1965, was walking his dog at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday behind his residence on the Limerick Air Field airstrip when he was struck. He suffered multiple injuries, including two broken legs and a broken arm, according to Sgt. Tim Spahr of the Maine Warden Service.

Mr. Smith was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Spahr said the wardens are seeking any information about the snowmobiler and why this may have happened. The current snowfall has covered the scene, and an extensive investigation is under way, he said.

“He took off,” Spahr said of the snowmobiler. “That’s all we know. It’s a hit and run.”

Anyone with information on the accident may call the Maine State Police at 1-800-482-0730.

Posted by Tom Remington

Hunting safety records in Maine have been kept since 1940. In 1986 mandatory hunter education classes took effect and since that time, Maine has experienced its safest hunting seasons.

The safest hunting season on record occurred in 1998 when there were only 3 reported injuries resulting from hunting activities. In 2003 and 2005, only 5 people were hurt. This year, so far with a few days left in the calendar year, there have been 11 reported injuries and no deaths.

The majority of injuries that occurred were the result of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. All but one were hunters as a person in a boat was injured when a bird shot pellet ricocheted off the water and struck him. No medical attention was required.

Over the past few years, Maine has sold on average around 210,000 resident and non-resident hunting licenses. This number has held relatively steady during this time.

The preliminary figures indicate around 29,400 deer were tagged this season, about what was expected. Final figures will be available at a later date.

Tom Remington

Region A—Southwestern Maine

The ice fishing forecast for southern Maine is excellent! Early ice, beefed up catchable trout stocking programs, and new stocking and management programs should offer even better winter angling in southern Maine than previous years.

Winter-like temperatures have prevailed through the month of December and except for the largest-area lakes, most smaller- to medium-size ponds are supporting some ice. Persistent snow storms, however, likely have reduced some early opportunities for thick black-ice formation before the traditional start to the ice fishing season on Jan. 1. But unless prevailing freezing temperatures in recent weeks change dramatically before Jan. 1st, we are likely to have more “opening day” ice than the recent past few years. Early ice conditions already have allowed anglers to experience some good trout fishing on smaller, shallower ponds, including waters which are open under the county-wide “Class A” designation. Under this county designation, anglers now may catch and keep gamefish, including trout, from the time of ice formation. Some stocked waters where trout can taken from the time of ice formation include: Otter Pond No. 2 and No. 4 (Standish); Knight Pond (South Berwick); Symmes Pond (Newfield); and Adams-Rock Haven Pond (Newfield).

Anglers should be aware of additional statewide regulation changes this season. Among the changes: the minimum length on bass has been lowered from 12 to 10 inches, and fishing is no longer restricted to daytime hours, thus anglers are allowed under general law to fish all hours of the day and night.

Significant stocking this fall including adult retired hatchery brood, and 12- to 14-inch fall yearling brook trout will provide a greater number of fish – and bigger fish — in many of our stocked waters. Most waters that received fall yearling brook trout prior to 2006 were stocked at higher levels in 2006-2007 due to increased production. In fact, our fall yearling brook trout stocking program has more than tripled since 2000. Additional increases in this popular fall stocking program are planned for the future, made possible by the renovation of the Emden State Hatchery using funds provided by a bond referendum several years ago.

Some of the stocking increases this year will occur in our “catchable brook trout” study waters, which are part of a statewide research project to assess angler returns of stocked fall yearling brook trout. During this 3-year study anglers will note an elevated level of stocking fall yearling brook trout in the following study waters: Bear Pond (Waterford); Keoka Lake (Waterford); Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham); Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester); and Crystal Lake (Gray). Biologists and clerks will be conducting winter angler surveys on these waters, and anglers are requested to note any missing fins on trout that are kept or released, as this information will be asked during the survey. Also, approximately 475 brood brook trout (2½ pounds-plus), 190 brood landlocked salmon (2-3pounds), and 225 brood brown trout (3 pounds) were retired from Maine’s hatchery system and stocked in southern Maine. These large fish always are well received by anglers. For a complete list of waters stocked check out the Department’s web site (www.mefishwildlife.com).

A number of winter brook trout fisheries occur where habitat is not suitable to sustain a year round trout fishery, but where fall and winter temperatures support stocking of legal size fish to create winter-spring fisheries. Examples of successful winter-spring brook trout fisheries include: Worthley Pond (Poland); Barker Pond (Lyman); Otter Pond No. 2 (Standish); Littlefield Pond (Sanford); Hobbs Pond (Norway); Knights Pond (South Berwick); Cold Rain (Naples); Halls Pond (Paris); and Silver Lake (Phippsburg); and Sprague Pond (Phippsburg). These waters are fished hard the first few weeks of the season, but often boast high catch rates. Some of these waters continue to offer good fishing throughout the entire winter season.

A new stocking program that was started last winter for kids only is under way. Round Pond (Lyman) is open to youth only during the winter. This small pond is owned by York County Fish and Game, who have partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to create the only exclusively youth winter fishing opportunity in southern Maine. Beefed up MDIF&W fall stocking is intended to provide some exciting action and help promote youth fishing. The pond was fished lightly last winter and as expected good fishing was had by those few who participated. We would encourage youth anglers to experience this unique fishery in southern Maine.

The top picks for great lake trout action remain consistent over the last few years, including Great East Lake (Acton), Sebago Lake (Naples) and Thompson Lake (Otisfield). All three waters will offer good catches of 16- to 22-inch togue, with Sebago being the most consistent producer of trophies each year. The lake trout found in Sebago are even fatter than last year, with reported increases in average size quality. In fact, togue exceeding 23 inches were commonly reported by anglers in 2007. The largest catches of lake trout are usually taken by jigging, and this technique is particularly effective on Sebago and Thompson lakes.

The best winter prospects for large salmon (over 4 pounds) are Trickey Pond (Naples), Bryant Pond (Woodstock) and South Pond (Greenwood), but the fishing for salmon is generally very slow on these waters. Most other regional waters open to winter salmon fishing offer higher catch rates, including some of the less fished waters like Long Lake (Naples/Harrison), Panther Pond (Raymond), and Kezar Lake (Lovell), although the fishing on these waters appears to have increased in recent years.

Increased availability of brood salmon have allowed for the creation of some relatively new salmon fishing opportunities in waters marginally suited for salmon. Most of the retired salmon brood was stocked in Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro), Thomas Pond (Casco), Tripp Lake (Poland), Mousam Lake (Acton), Presumpscot River (Windham), Pennesseewassee Lake (Norway), and Highland Lake (Windham). We are also in the second year of a new salmon program using larger fall yearling stocked salmon on Keoka Lake (Waterford). This stocking program will largely benefit winter anglers, but some carry-over to the open water fishery is anticipated.

Splake enthusiasts will find fast action, but heavy fishing pressure on Bryant Pond (Woodstock) and Trickey Pond (Naples). In addition, a new splake stocking program was initiated on Bear Pond (Waterford), where larger 14-inche splake were stocked for the first time last fall to create faster fishing for ice anglers. This stocking program has produced successful fisheries at Big Wood Pond and Squa Pan Lake, both located in northern Maine.

Brown trout anglers have no shortage of waters to fish. With the exception of the more popular fisheries, like Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester), Middle/Upper Range Ponds (Poland), Worthley Pond (Peru), Hancock Pond (Denmark), and Square Pond (Shapleigh), many of the approximately 35 regional brown trout waters will receive little fishing pressure even though these waters offer quality fish. Sampling undertaken the past several years continues to indicate the presence of a high percentage of fish between 3 and 6 pounds, although densities are generally low. So get away from the crowds and check out some of the those ponds you don’t hear about. But be patient. Brown trout are not known for fast fishing yet they are some of the largest fish caught in the region each year.

The 225 brood brown trout retired this past fall were stocked in four rivers open to year-round fishing. Those are the Mousam River, Ogunquit River, Royal River and Presumpscot River, as well as Mousam and Little Ossipee lakes.

A small rainbow trout stocking program is providing some relatively new fishing opportunities in southern Maine. In addition to continued stocking of rainbows in most waters that have been experimentally stocked over the last 5 to 6 years, new stockings this past fall will provide rainbow trout winter action on Stanley Pond (Porter), Norway Lake (Norway), and Forrest Lake (Canton) this winter. Little Ossipee Lake (Waterboro) also will be stocked, but not until spring.

For those that still like to open water fish throughout the winter, there are several year-round river fishing opportunities in the region that have been enhanced under beefed up fall stocking programs. These waters include the entire Presumpscot River, the Saco River (particularly below Skelton Dam and Hiram Dam), and the lower Royal River (below Elm Street). Additional open water trout fishing opportunities continue to increase in popularity on some tidewater rivers, including the Mousam River (Kennebunk), Ogunquit River (Wells), and Salmon Falls River (South Berwick). We are requesting anglers to provide fishing information on these three stocked tidewater rivers. To help get this collection effort done, we have posted angler survey boxes at streamside angler access locations, have recruited some anglers to keep personal fishing logbooks, and have provided area tackle shops with personal fishing logbooks. This information will be used to support improved management of the three tidal rivers and possibly future program expansions.

– Francis Brautigam, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Gray

Region B – Central Maine

In a few short days, the day that is perceived to be the traditional opening of the ice-fishing season will arrive on Jan.1. In reality, anglers have had the opportunity to fish through the ice in numerous lakes and ponds throughout the region for a while now. These waters are identified in the regulations booklet as “A” waters, while those that open on January 1 are “B” waters. “A” waters are open to fishing for all fish from the time ice forms until March 31. Be advised that some waters have special regulations or limited seasons. Others may be closed to ice fishing. For example, Echo Lake in Fayette is open for ice fishing during January and February only and is restricted to two lines (5 are allowed at night for cusk only) and a one fish limit for salmon and togue. Be sure to check your regulations booklet before you head out, wherever you plan to fish.

Again this year, our hatchery staff has done a stellar job in stocking out over 55,000 fish for winter angling opportunities. Below are some examples of where those fish found homes: Big Indian Pond (Saint Albans) 500 brook trout; Wassokeag Lake (Dexter) 500 brook trout; Cobbossee Lake (Manchester) 1,000 brook trout; Alford Lake (Hope) 250 brown trout; Quantabacook Lake (Searsmont) 500 brown trout; Hosmer Pond (Camden) 100 brown trout; Sheepscot Pond (Palermo) 500 brook trout; Maranacook Lake (Winthrop), 500 brook trout; Lake George (Canaan) 400 rainbow trout; Unity Pond (Unity) 1,200 brown trout; Damariscotta Lake (Jefferson) 60 brook trout (brood); Messalonskee Lake (Oakland) 500 brook trout; East Pond (Smithfield) 250 brook trout; Nequasset Lake (Woolwich) 400 rainbow trout; Three Mile Pond (China) 600 brown trout; Washington Pond (Washington) 600 brown trout; Great Moose Lake (Hartland) 40 brook trout (brood); Megunticook Lake (Lincolnville) 1,000 rainbow trout; Garland Pond (Garland) 10 brook trout (brood).

Please note that the above list is just a small sampling of what is out there for winter fishing opportunities. Also note that I’ve included some ponds on the list that were stocked with retired brood brook trout. These fish are in the 3-pound range and they are always hungry. Almost 1,200 fish of this size were stocked in 44 different waters this fall in addition to our scheduled stocking.

With the recent cold weather, some ice formed quickly, especially on the smaller ponds. But the frequent snows we’ve had recently have insulated the existing ice cover and slowed down freezing. Many lakes and ponds have a deceptive mantle of snow covering what may be unsafe ice thicknesses. Always check for adequate ice conditions before venturing on any body of water. There is some terrific information on judging ice conditions on Page 46 of your regulation booklet. Use it, but use your own good common sense to guide you too.

The long and the short of it is that there are lots of fish waiting to be caught! It promises to be exciting winter fishing around the Mid-coast Region.

– Robert Van-Riper, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Sidney

Region C — Downeast

Finally, Maine experiences a real winter, complete with early-season ice and plenty of snow! Winter anglers who lamented the warm January temperatures and lack of early ice in recent years are excited and ready to pursue their favorite sportfish. So test out your ice auger, register your snowmobiles and ATVs, change your leaders, and prepare to enjoy winter in Maine.
Many of the lakes discussed above have special fishing regulations. Be sure to consult your ice fishing law book for applicable regulations on the lake you plan to fish.

Finally, a new regulation adopted for this ice fishing season permits night-time ice fishing under the following regulation: “Except as otherwise provided by rule, all waters open to ice fishing are open to ice fishing 24 hours a day. All lines must be under the immediate supervision of the person who set them.”

If you intend to fish in Hancock or Washington County, here are some good spots to fish:

Brook trout
 Keene’s Lake (Calais). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 8-inch trout and 150 fall yearling trout averaging 11 inches, Keene’s was stocked with 40 16-inch retired brood stock trout averaging 1.7 pounds.

 Goulding Lake (Robbinston). Expect good action on 6- to 11-inch trout with some larger individuals.

 Indian Lake (Whiting). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 11-inch trout, Indian Lake was stocked with 35 16-inch retired brood stock trout.

 Keeley Lake (Northfield). This small pond is a good place to escape from the wind as much of it is narrow with high banks. Catch rates can be good for both brook trout and splake. Brook trout stocked this fall ranged from 6 to 11 inches. Keeley is located about a mile from the closest paved road.

 Montegail Pond (T 19 MD). This pond is popular with anglers from Cherryfield to East Machias for its good catch rate on 6- to 11-inch trout plus an occasional larger fish.

 Rainbow Pond (T 10 SD). Located a mile west of Tunk Lake, this remote trout pond is difficult to reach. Because of its location, it is only lightly fished, yielding some nice trout.

 Anderson Pond (T 10 SD). Anderson Pond is a new stocking of 6- to 8-inch fall fingerling trout. It was stocked in 2006 and 2007. This remote pond requires some determination to access, but could provide some surprises. We would appreciate angler reports (207-434-5925) from those who fish it this winter to help us evaluate the success of this introductory stocking.

 Blunts Pond (Lamoine). Blunts Pond is a new stocking of 12- to 14-inch fall yearling brook trout. Anglers should try this easily accessible small pond.

 Jacob Buck Pond (Bucksport). Anglers who catch one of the 50 retired brood stock brook trout averaging over 2 pounds will be pleasantly surprised.

 Lower Hadlock Pond (Mount Desert). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 11-inch trout, Lower Hadlock was stocked with 25 retired brood stock trout that averaged 16 inches.

 Echo Lake (Mount Desert). Echo Lake is expected to provide good action for trout. Fishing is restricted to two lines and 2 trout. Trout must be 12 inches or larger, and no more than one can exceed 14 inches.

 Round Pond (Mount Desert). In addition to its regular stocking of legal-sized fall yearling brook trout averaging 11 inches, Round Pond was stocked with 25 retired brood stock brook trout averaging 2-plus pounds.

 Craig Pond (Orland). In addition to annual fall stockings of 6- to 11-inch trout, Craig Pond was stocked with 50 retired brood stock trout that averaged 16-plus inches. An additional 30 retired brood stock salmon will provide additional action.

Landlocked salmon
 Cathance Lake (Cooper and Plantation No. 14). Cathance is a perennial favorite among salmon anglers for larger fish with a chance to catch a wild trout.

 Nash’s Lake (Calais). In addition to its regular salmon fishery, 30 retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery were stocked here late in the fall.

 Gardner Lake (East Machias). Salmon growth and catch rates have improved.

 Schoodic Lake (Cherryfield). Located in the blueberry barrens, this lake is lightly fished in the winter so could yield some surprise catches.

 Big Lake (T 27 ED). Big Lake is a popular winter salmon lake, especially in the early season. Each fall, many spawned-out salmon from Grand Lake Stream drop down into Big Lake for the winter, often providing fast action. Consult your lawbook for a description of a section near the mouth of Grand Lake Stream that is closed to fishing.

 Tunk Lake (T 10 SD). Knowledgeable anglers know that Tunk has a 16- to 20-inch protected slot limit where no salmon may be harvested, so there is a chance for a real beauty when fish over 20 inches are caught. Catch rate is slow, but the lake also has a fast catch rate on togue.

 Green Lake (Dedham and Ellsworth). Green Lake is always popular with anglers who want to fish for salmon with an additional option of a chunky togue.

 Long Pond (Mount Desert Island). Fall trap netting indicated that salmon growth has rebounded in response to two stockings of smelt eggs by biologists. Anglers should be pleased with the improvement in growth.

 Eagle Lake (Bar Harbor). We expect a steady fishery for average-sized salmon this winter at Eagle Lake.

 Craig Pond (Orland). Thirty retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery were stocked here late in the fall and will provide action for larger salmon.

 Brewer Lake (Orrington). Salmon growth has improved following transfer of smelt eggs in recent years. Some larger salmon will be caught here this winter from a late fall stocking of 30 retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery.

 West Grand, Grand Lake Stream Plantation. West Grand has a delayed opening of Feb. 1. We expect good action for salmon this winter due to increased stockings during each of the past three years. With additional fisheries for togue, lake whitefish and cusk, anglers will enjoy the variety of species they may catch.

Lake trout (togue)
 Beech Hill Pond (Otis). Anglers have a chance at fairly fast action when they fish for togue at Beech Hill.

 Green Lake (Dedham and Ellsworth). Green Lake is one of eastern Maine’s most popular fisheries for fat, chunky togue of above-average size. Anglers should note that the minimum length on togue at Green Lake has been changed to 23 inches to create a higher quality fishery in this lake that has demonstrated the potential to grow fat, large togue.

 Toddy Pond (Orland). Anglers have a chance at fairly fast action.

 Tunk Lake (T 10- SD). Tunk has a very abundant population of stunted togue, and anglers are strongly encouraged to harvest their limit.

 West Grand (Grand Lake Stream Plantation). Biologists weighed, measured and examined numerous togue at West Grand during the past year. Fish condition (fatness) has declined, so anglers are encouraged to harvest togue here in an attempt to reduce the population and improve fish condition.

Brown trout
 Round Pond (Charlotte). Brown trout grow very well here by feeding heavily on abundant juvenile yellow perch.

 Pennamaquan Lake (Charlotte). Located just downstream of Round Pond, brown trout grow very well here also by feeding heavily on abundant juvenile yellow perch.

 Jones Pond (Gouldsboro). This pond is popular with coastal anglers for its variety of fish species.

 Flanders Pond (Sullivan). This pond also is popular with coastal anglers for its variety of fish species.

 Lower Hadlock Pond (Mount Desert). Biologists expect an improvement in this brown trout fishery based on a return to stocking fall yearling brown trout instead of spring yearlings, which had not produced acceptable catches.

 Spring River Lake (T 10 SD). Spring River Lake is one of eastern Maine’s best producers of larger brown trout.

 Walker Pond (Brooksville). Walker Pond has yielded the largest brown trout (greater than 11 pounds) in the Hancock-Washington County region. Stocking has been suspended for two years due to loss of public access, but for anglers who can find a way to access the lake, there still are some large fish. Both the Department and the townspeople are working to provide future public access so stocking can resume at this important lake.

 Upper Lead Mountain Pond (T 28 MD). Brown trout have performed better here than salmon, which were previously stocked, because brown trout feed on a wider variety of forage than was used by salmon.

Splake
 Jacob Buck Pond (Bucksport). Located close to the population center of Bucksport, this easily accessible pond has been a consistent producer of attractive 12- to 18-inch splake, along with a variety of other species in the catch.

 Fitts Pond (Clifton). This small pond produces some very attractive splake during most winters.

 Lower Springy Pond (Otis). Splake feed heavily on smelts and juvenile white perch here, producing some above-average sized splake. In addition, 35 retired brook trout broodstock averaging 16-plus inches were stocked late in the fall.

 Mopang Lake (T 29 MD). This highly picturesque lake is one of our best large splake producers, along with yielding some average-sized salmon.

 Pleasant River Lake (Beddington). Located just south of Mopang Lake, Pleasant River Lake has been a consistent producer of attractive splake, along with occasional salmon. Thirty retired broodstock salmon from the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery were stocked here late in the fall.

 Second Lake Old Stream (T 37 MD). Located far from paved roads, Second Lake is one of our best producers of splake.

 Keeley Lake (Marshfield). Keeley has not produced large splake, but its action is consistent for a small lake.

Chain pickerel
Great Pond (Great Pond Township); Eddington Pond (Eddington); Spectacle Pond (Osborn); Seal Cove Pond (Tremont); Upper Patten Pond (Orland); Fields Pond (Orrington); Lower and Middle Lead Mountain ponds (T 28 MD); Rocky Pond (T 22 MD); Scammon Pond (Eastbrook); Beddington Lake (Beddington); Patrick Lake (Marion); Rocky Lake (Whiting); and Hadley Lake (East Machias).

White perch
Bog Lake (Northfield); First, Second and Third Chain lakes (T 26 ED); Boyden Lake (Perry); Second Gardner Lake (Marion); Georges Pond (Franklin); Clifford Lake (T 26 ED); Jones Pond (Gouldsboro); Graham Lake (Waltham); Brewer Lake (Orrington); Alamoosook Lake (Orland); and Pierce Pond (Penobscot).
– Rick Jordan, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Downeast Region

Region D – Western Mountains

The big news in western Maine this year is that thanks to expansion of the Embden hatchery we’ve stocked lots of fish for ice fisherman to catch. Also, we have a new lake open to ice fishing.

First the stockings — these are all fall yearling fish, which means that they’re nearly 2 years old when stocked this fall and generally are in the 12- to 14-inch range. The stocking locations are: Clearwater Lake (Industry0 1,500 brook trout; Embden Lake (Embden) 1,000 brook trout; Haley Pond (Dallas Plantation) 450 brook trout; Hancock Pond (Embden) 800 brook trout and 200 salmon; Lufkin Pond (Avon) 200 splake; Oaks Pond (Skowhegan) 300 splake; Smith Pond (Brighton Plantation) 400 brook trout and 400 brown trout; Webb Lake (Weld) 3,300 brook trout and 1,300 brown trout; Wentworth Pond (Solon) 450 splake; Wesserunsett Lake (Madison) 2,200 brook trout and 2,200 brown trout; Wilson Pond (Wilton) 1,100 brook trout; and Wyman Lake (Moscow) 2,500 splake.

In addition to these fall yearling fish, we’ve stocked even bigger brook trout (retired brook fish) in a number of waters: 50 in Porter Lake, 50 in Clearwater, 75 in Wilson, 30 in Crowell Pond, New Sharon, and 30 in Norcross Pond, Chesterville.

Pleasant Pond in Caratunk is open to ice fishing for the first time this year per Group B with a liberal limit on lake trout. The daily bag limit on togue is five fish and minimum length limit on togue is 14 inches. Other regulations in effect are S-4 (use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited) and S-19 (daily limit on trout: 2 fish). Because it has been closed to ice fishing until this year, anglers aren’t familiar with the lake. It is deep and will take a while to safely freeze over. So if you fish there be very careful. Also, be aware that the town has implemented a parking ban on town roads near Pleasant Pond.

Please note the following error in the new ice fishing law book: Weeks Pond (also known as Smith Pond) in Brighton Plantation in Somerset County was inadvertently omitted but it is open to ice fishing per Group B, as it has been for many years. And, as noted above, we’ve stocked a total of 400 fish there this fall for the ice fishing season.

Look for biologists Dave Boucher, Dave Howatt, and Ethan Tracy who will be checking anglers on the following waters this winter: Clearwater Lake, Porter Lake, Oaks Pond, Wentworth, and Pleasant Pond.

— Forrest Bonney, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Strong

Region E — Moosehead Lake Region

Well Ole Man Winter arrived on time this year for a change. Exactly one year ago, you could walk across the grass lawn and throw a canoe into Moosehead Lake, but today we are back on schedule for a normal winter. The Greenville cove froze the last week of November and the lake is slowly making ice. As always, anglers should take care when venturing out this winter especially over the deeper areas of the lake, which are the last to freeze. We also have been blessed with a couple early snowstorms, so the snowmobiling should be excellent in the Moosehead Lake Region in the new year. You can get weekly updates on the status of the riding at http://www.mooseheadriders.org.

Smaller ponds in the region like Brann’s Mill Pond, Harlow Pond, Fitzgerald Pond and Prong Pond are now open for business for those anglers interested in catching a few early fish. All of these ponds were stocked in October with 12- to 14-inch brook trout, and early reports indicate anglers are getting out on the ice in December.

Kids should give Drummond Pond in Abbot a try this winter. This is the first winter the pond is open and this little gravel pit pond is exclusively for kids under age 16. We stocked the pond in October with brook trout so the fishing should be good. We would like to thank the “elves” that are keeping the parking lot plowed this winter. We appreciate the effort to keep everyone safely off Route 15.

We do have a couple big changes for this winter in the Moosehead Lake Region that anglers should be aware of. First, we have significantly liberalized the bag limits on lake trout on Moosehead Lake. For the past 15 years or so, we have seen the number of small lake trout increase dramatically in the lake. As a result, we have seen a decline in the forage base, primarily smelts, as the number of predators increased. There have been peaks and valleys in growth but we have not been able to maintain our goals for growth for either togue or salmon. Recent data indicate another wave of small lake trout entering the fishery. In an effort to be proactive, we have implemented a no-size or bag limit on lake trout less than 18 inches starting this winter. We also have increased the bag limit on lake trout over 18 inches from one fish to two fish. We encourage anglers to remove as many of the smaller lake trout as possible. We simply cannot feed them and the quicker we remove them, the quicker the recovery will be. We hope these new, very liberal regulations will be a short-term endeavor.

The Moosehead Lake Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its first Moosehead Lake Togue Ice Fishing Derby with Ricky Craven this winter, which it hopes will become an annual event. The weekend fishing derby is scheduled for Jan. 26-27. This derby will help us reach our management goal of removing lake trout from the lake and raise money for some local and national charities. There will be cash prizes for the 3 biggest lake trout. Contestants also will get a ticket for each small fish they bring in, for entry in a drawing for other prizes. You can check out the Chamber’s webpage to learn more at: http://www.mooseheadlake.org. So come out and enjoy the wilderness setting of Moosehead Lake, assist us in managing the lake, and help raise a few dollars for some of Ricky’s favorite charities.

For those anglers who just can’t seem to put away the fly rod, then you may want to give the East Outlet a try this winter. The section from the dam down to the Beach Pool will be open for catch and release fishing starting on Jan.1. This is a great stretch of river for salmon and brook trout fishing. Be careful getting into the water this time of year. You can expect shell-ice and deep snow along the river.

– Tim Obrey, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Greenville

Region F — Penobscot Region

With several weeks of cold weather and snow already behind us, the upcoming ice fishing season should get off to a good start. Here are just some of the opportunities for ice fishing enthusiasts:

Kids Only Ponds:
Kids 15 and younger have several opportunities to be the star of the show, with some assistance from mom and dad when needed, of course. Pickerel Pond located at the Maine Youth Fish and Game Club beside the Stud Mill Road near Milford, Little Round Pond in Lincoln, Jerry Pond in Millinocket, Rock Crusher Pond in Island Falls and Harris Pond in Milo are all kids only ponds that the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife stocks several times throughout the year with brook trout. In fact, all of these ponds recently received supplemental stockings of fall yearling brook trout ranging from 10 to 14 inches long, as well as retired brood stock ranging from 14 to 18 inches long this past fall.

Coldwater Sport Fish:
 Schoodic Lake (Brownville, Milo and Lakeview Plantation): Schoodic Lake continues its remarkable recovery from the poor fishing of the late 1980s and early 1990s, and is once again a premier destination point for anglers in search of quality lake trout (togue) and landlocked salmon. A new regulation for this season will allow anglers to keep two togue as part of their daily limit, but only one can be over 23 inches in length. The intent of the new regulation is to protect some of the larger togue in the lake while still allowing angers to take two togue home with them if they would like. The Department’s effort to restore the smelt forage base in the lake over the past decade continues to benefit salmon and our trapnetting results from last fall indicate that Schoodic is prime to give up some nice fish this winter (and potentially a trophy or two). Salmon trapnetted last fall averaged over 3 pounds in weight, and the largest was over 7 pounds!

 Cold Stream Pond (Enfield, Lincoln and Lowell): Growth of landlocked salmon at Cold Stream Pond remains very good, as they have responded well to the liberalized bag limit of lake trout (Daily limit: 5 lake trout, 14 inches) and reduced stocking rate of salmon, which has helped reduce the forage pressure on smelt in the lake. While catch rates of salmon may be a bit slow, anglers often find this an acceptable trade-off considering the potential size quality of the fish. Those looking to mix-it-up a bit should put a few lines on bottom in deeper water for togue. Togue in Cold Stream Pond typically range in size from 2 to 4 pounds, however the lake is known to occasionally give up a lunker of 15 pounds or greater. Anglers should set their lines with live bait a foot off bottom in water depths of 20 feet or more. An alternative and often preferred way to fish for togue is to lay a dead bait right on the bottom. It also helps to smash the bait up a bit before threading it on the hook, which will help disperse the scent.

 East Grand Lake (Danforth, Forest City, Orient and Weston): The landlocked salmon fishing at East Grand in recent years has been on the downside due to poor smelt survival and potential negative impacts of illegally introduced landlocked alewife into the system. In response, the Department has been decreasing the number of salmon it stocks in recent years to allow the smelt population a chance to rebound. Recent assessments of salmon growth at East Grand suggest that the strategy is beginning to work and salmon are improving in size. The trade off will be lower catch rates of salmon for a few years until smelt populations recover and salmon stocking is increased. On the other hand, the lake trout fishery at East Grand has recently become very popular both for the size of fish being caught and for the number of fish being reported by anglers.

Some of the other landlocked salmon waters in the region known to provide good action for quality sized salmon include:
 The Jo-Mary’s (Upper, Middle, and Lower), Millinocket Lake and the Pemadumcook Chain of lakes, all just north and west of the town of Millinocket;

 Pleasant Lake (Island Falls) and Deering Lake (Weston) both have the reputation of producing some of the fattest salmon in the Penobscot Region;

 East Musquash Lake, Pleasant Lake (Kossuth), Junior Lake, and Lower and Upper Sysladobsis (Dobsie) lakes can all be accessed off Route 6 running east from Lincoln to Topsfield;

 Finally West, Duck, Spring and Nicatous lakes east of the town of Burlington are known for fast action, especially early on in the season.

Anglers should keep these waters in mind later in the season as well when fishing pressure tends to decline.

Some of the other lake trout waters worth a try include: Millinocket, Ambajesus, Pemadumcook, Lower Jo-Mary, and First and Third Debsconeag lakes.

Matagamon Lake near the north entrance to Baxter State Park has a new regulation in place for this season, allowing anglers to keep a total of three togue daily from 14 to 18 inches in length, one of which may be over 18 inches. We encourage anglers to keep these smaller togue when they catch them, as we are trying to thin some of the stockpiled smaller fish from the lake and hope to see an improvement in growth of togue in the future. Matagamon also has self-sustaining populations of landlocked salmon and brook trout, so anglers will want to stagger their traps both along the shoreline and in the deeper waters to take advantage of the multiple opportunities.

Other Opportunities:
There currently are four waters stocked with splake, a hybrid species created by crossing lake trout and brook trout. Splake generally are stocked in lakes and ponds with water quality capable of supporting a cold water fishery, but for various reasons the traditional principal coldwater species (landlocked salmon, brook trout, and lake trout) managed by the Department have performed poorly. Splake resemble either lake trout or brook trout in appearance, or something in between, so all splake stocked in Region F waters are fin clipped prior to stocking to reduce confusion with other species that may inhabit these lakes (mainly brook trout). Splake waters include Lower Togue Pond, Cedar Lake, West Seboeis Lake and Endless Lake.

Nicatous Lake is the only lake in the region currently stocked with brown trout. There have been mixed reviews over the years concerning the success of this fishery due to the low catch rates, but our assessments have shown that Nicatous has the ability to produce some nice fish. Recently, salmon have been stocked in the lake in addition to brown trout, so anglers heading to Nicatous should carefully inspect their catch to ensure correct species identification (see page 40 of the 2008 Ice Fishing Regulation book for a guide to identification of brown trout versus landlocked salmon).

Finally, the region has a tremendous amount of opportunity for those in pursuit of warm water game fish (pickerel, perch, bass). Often these species are considered second fiddle to coldwater species, but in my opinion there’s nothing better than a fry of fresh perch, or even pickerel, when prepared correctly. Just a few of the warm water lakes in the region include: Chemo, Pushaw, Mattamiscontis, South Branch, Saponac, Dolby Flowage, Number 3 Pond, Baskahegan Lake, and most of the lakes in the town of Lincoln including Mattanawcook, Crooked, Folsom, Center, Caribou, Egg, and Cambolasse.

New Opportunity:
Molunkus Lake in the Aroostook County towns of Molunkus and Macwahoc was stocked this fall with nearly 1,000 fall yearling brook trout ranging is size from 10 to 14 inches. Biologists have attempted to establish a coldwater fishery in the lake for years, stocking both landlocked salmon and brown trout, but with little success. Fall yearling brook trout have done fairly well at other lakes around the region in recent years, and may provide an acceptable fishery at Molunkus as well. We will monitor the lake during this winter to assess catch rates and determine the success of our efforts. The lake also supports healthy populations of warm water game fish including white perch, pickerel and small-mouth bass.

– Richard Dill, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Bangor

Region G – Aroostook County

The region has been covered in a deep blanket of snow which has been great for snowmobiling, but it has added an insulating layer to ice forming on the lakes. Fortunately, we have been experiencing cold air temperatures that over time will add to ice thickness for the Jan. 1 start of the 2008 ice fishing season. We have heard reports of slush forming on some of the larger lakes from the weight of the snow. Anglers venturing onto a lake for the first time will want to consider unhooking tote sleds to check travel conditions and make a path to their destination for easier going with their load of gear.

New regulations have been implemented for this upcoming season, and the new ice fishing law book should be required reading prior to any fishing trip this winter.

Except as provided by rule, all waters are now open to ice fishing 24 hours a day. All lines must be under the immediate supervision of the person who set them. The exception being that all lines set at night for cusk must be visited at least once every hour by the person who set them. On page 10 of the law book are three new entries that define ice fishing, an ice fishing device and an ice fishing trap. The definition of illegal fishing, also on page 10, notes that the restriction to fish other than by the use of a single pointed hook and line does not apply to smelt fishing. Also eliminated was the regulation that allowed night fishing using 3 hooks per line, hooks not to be less than 4 inches apart.

Anglers in southern Aroostook now will be able to fish for smelts at night at Drew’s and Nickerson lakes. Drew’s Lake also has received a stocking of fall yearling splake that should make for great fishing at the start of the season. The togue regulation at Nickerson Lake has been changed to allow the taking of 3 togue with a minimum length limit of 14 inches; only 1 may exceed 18 inches.

In central Aroostook, Squa Pan Lake continues to be a popular destination for the splake and smelt fishery. Fall yearling brook trout have been stocked in Arnold Brook Lake. This has been a disappointing fishery the past few years but this easily accessible lake might be a good destination early in the year.

Smelt anglers that routinely fish Long, Cross, Square and Eagle Lakes for smelts from Jan. 1-14 should be aware that this fishery still is limited to night fishing from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise. There is no limit on the number of hooks per line. From Jan. 15-March 15, fishing is allowed for all fish 24 hours a day.

At Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain, the daily bag limit on togue now is 6 fish with a minimum length limit of 14 inches; only 1 may exceed 23 inches. The daily bag limit on salmon is 3 fish with a 12-inch minimum length limit. There has been no change in the brook trout regulation. Anglers fishing Eagle Lake may legally possess 6 togue, 3 salmon and 2 trout in one day.

First, Second and Third Musquacook Lakes also have had the daily bag limit on togue increase to 6 fish with a minimum length limit of 14 inches; only 1 may exceed 23 inches. An angler fishing one of these lakes may legally possess in one day: 6 togue and 2 trout.

At Portage, St. Froid and Square lakes, 3 salmon may be harvested per day with a minimum length limit of 12 inches. A reminder that the minimum length limit on whitefish is 16 inches and the daily bag limit is 3 fish.

Anglers fishing Big Eagle and Churchill Lakes need to be aware that the daily bag limit on togue has increased to 2 fish. These lakes remain closed to the taking of whitefish.

Regulations have been liberalized on these waters to reduce predation on the smelt population and/or to improve growth rates on coldwater gamefish.

Fishery staff from the Ashland headquarters will be surveying anglers on Long Lake, St. Froid Lake, Portage Lake and Carr Pond in the Fish River Chain; Millinocket and Millimagassett lakes; Madawaska Lake; and early in the season, Drew’s and Nickerson lakes. As always, angler cooperation with IF&W biologists is greatly appreciated.

–David J. Basley, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Ashland

“Catchable Trout”

Most of the brook trout fishing opportunity for winter anglers in central and southern Maine occurs in lakes and ponds that are stocked in the fall with 10- to 14-inch trout by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlifes’s Hatchery Division. This fall stocking is part of the Department’s Catchable Trout Stocking Program.

Approximately 20,000 of these legal-sized brook trout are stocked each fall in these regions alone. The intent of these stockings is to provide trout fishing opportunity in waters that do not sustain year round brook trout fisheries for a variety of reasons, such as a lack of suitable cold-water habitat in summer, competing fish species, or no brook trout spawning habitat. The trout that do survive the winter provide fishing opportunity right after ice out but these trout very seldom live through the summer to be around the following winter. Due to their close proximity to population centers, waters in this part of the state experience moderate to high angler use during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. MDIF&W’s catchable trout stocking program provides anglers with the opportunity to catch legal size brook trout in addition to other coldwater fish species (brown trout, landlocked salmon, and rainbow trout). Additionally the region provides diverse fishing opportunities for warm-water fish species.

During the 2006 and 2007 ice fishing seasons, fisheries biologists from MDIF&W’s Sidney office and the Bangor office’s Lake Research Group creel surveyed a number of central Maine waters that were stocked with fall yearling brook trout. Not unexpectedly, more questions emerged than were answered. On some waters anglers were catching brook trout, while on others hardly a brook trout was caught during the entire season.

Based on the 2006 and 2007 creel surveys and supporting data from other regions a multi-year study to intensively investigate angler catch and return rates on waters stocked with fall-yearling brook trout was developed. The objective of the “Catchable Trout Study” as we call it is to determine what conditions provide the best returns to anglers. A better understanding of where catchable trout perform best will help guide future stocking decisions to maximize angling success. As such our focus is on the environmental parameters of the stocked waters, stocking methods, quality of the stocked trout, and public access…It is always up to the anglers to catch the fish though!

As part of this study IF&W fisheries biologists from the Gray and Sidney offices and the Lake Research Group will be conducting creel surveys on 16 waters, ranging in size from 6 to 665 acres, during the first four weeks of the 2008 ice fishing season. These study waters are: Barker (Parker) Pond (Lyman); Bear Pond (Waterford); Biscay Pond (Bremen); Cochnewagon Pond (Monmouth); Crystal Pond (Gray); Flying Pond (Vienna); Keewaydin Lake (Stoneham); Keoka Lake (Waterford); McGrath Pond (Oakland); Nequasset Lake (Woolwich); Otter Pond No. 2 (Standish); Round Pond (Lyman); Sabbathday Lake (New Gloucester); Salmon Pond or Ellis Pond (Oakland); Wilson Pond (Wayne); and Worthley Pond (Poland).

Ice fishing for brook trout requires a different approach than fishing for brown trout, landlocked salmon, or togue. Shallow water and structure are probably the most important things to think of when ice fishing for brook trout. Water less than 10 feet deep associated with aquatic vegetation, boulders or rocky points are usually excellent locations to fish for brook trout. If fishing traps use worms or small minnows, bait should be placed just under the ice. Jigging with small jigs (rubber or marabou bodies) or spoons can at times bring fast action. Remember that winter water temperatures are suitable for trout throughout a lake and that prey items favored by brook trout will be in these shallower areas. It is hard to think that the rocky point where you catch bass during the summer is the best place to fish for brook trout during the winter, but give it a try, you might be surprised by the success you have! Experiment with your techniques until you find what works.

– Joe Dembeck, Research Fisheries Biologist, Bangor

Posted by Tom Remington

When and Where:

Thursday, 27 December 7 PM
Location: TMCC Nature Learning Center
1245 Bald Hill Road, Albany, NH

Join Chris Lewey for a slide lecture on the birds of winter. Why do some birds migrate? Why do some remain as year round residents? Why do many species visit us here in New England only during these winter months? Find out all the answers as we take a closer look at the variety of species you may see at and away from your feeder. Chris will discuss the ecological pros and cons of feeding birds and how you can improve your feeding areas with the birds in mind. Bring your recent sightings and we’ll discuss the current avian activity of the day. We’ll take a look at some of the birds and (bird-watchers!) in the area. It’s often an interesting flock to investigate!
This will be a good opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about and possibly participating in our 19th annual Christmas Bird Count that is scheduled for Saturday January 5, 2008.

chris lewey, executive director
chris@ravenwildlife.com

RAVEN I.P.
474 Butter Hill Road
Chatham, NH 03813-5308
603.694.2200 office
603.694.2535 fax
www.ravenwildlife.com

Tom Remington

Contributing writer for U.S. Hunting Today, A. Sayward Lamb, emailed a few photos and a brief story about how turkeys in Maine are getting along with the recent cold and heavy snow. Here’s what he said and a few photos to look at.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom: My son Jim, just sent these photos of wild turkeys in his “Mother-in-law” tree. (Actually, it is a Crabapple tree) located within a few feet of the entrance to his home in Oxford, Maine He says that sometimes he has as many as six turkeys at a time in that tree, feeding on the small crabapples.

I just talked with my son Ron, who lives in Sebec, and he has a flock of about fifty wild turkeys who come into his shed at his farm and eat apples that are stored in a bin there. He says that they stay in some evergreens that are located near his farm pond and they feed on burdocks that are located in an adjacent field. Ron says the burdocks are about four feet high, so they stick up above the snow and are easy for the turkeys to reach.He noticed that several of the turkeys have balls of burdocks attached to the feathers on the sides of their bodies, and some of the balls are as big as softballs. He wonders if they are carrying them along to feed on at a later date? My sons tell me the snow is about thirty inches deep, and the temperature is very cold—down near zero some mornings.

Last evening I talked with my grandso, Nathan Morse, who told me he has been hunting this month for partridges with his German short haired pointer, and one day that he hunted it was down to only eight above zero. Is he an avid bird hunter, or what? And yes, he has be able to shoot some birds. He said his dog has been able to point the birds; that have been roosting on the lower branches of evergreen trees. I asked him how deep the snow was when he hunted and he said way up over his knees. One thing for sure, with my short legs, I would need snowshoes to hunt at this time of year in Maine.

Tom Remington

This Christmas Card was designed and hand painted by Milt Inman, Skinny Moose Media’s chief photographer.

And a little “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” performed by Tom Remington.

Tom and Steve Remington and all the staff of Skinny Moose Media and U.S. Hunting Today

Earlier this year the Maine Legislature, under pressure from hunters and other sportsmen groups, formulated a deer task force group to find ways to improve deer habitat and control coyote populations in Maine, particularly in the North Woods and Eastern Maine. The task force has concluded its work and it is my understanding have submitted their recommendations to the Joint Standing Committee of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. This work should become public information soon.

In an article published in the Lewiston Sun Journal, V. Paul Reynolds, editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal and a registered Maine guide asks:

…..will something of substance actually be done to control coyotes in deer yards, or will this all just be deja vu all over again?

Reynolds points out in his article that this is not the first time studies and recommendations have been made for something to be done.

As far back as 1985, another so-called Public Working Group recommended that the Department (MDIF&W) “increase coyote harvest and expand coyote control.” Then, again, 10 years later in 1995, after deer biologist Gerry Lavigne told legislators that coyotes account for 30 percent of deer mortality in Maine, the state legislature mandated that the Department “conduct a study to determine impact of coyotes on deer and propose recommendations to encourage coyote control.”

Northern and Eastern Maine has had a problem for some time getting its deer populations up to management goal levels. It has been said that two reasons have hindered that – essential habitat reductions and an overblown coyote population. While the state continues to work with landowners to find ways of protecting and improving deer habitat and in particular wintering deer yards, efforts to control coyotes have been hampered by lawsuits.

The first lawsuit resulted in the banning of the use of snare traps for coyotes. Snares were used around winter deer yard areas to catch coyotes preying on deer. Buckling under the pressure of animal rights groups, the state gave in and allowed the ban on the use of such traps.

Yet again, the state recently settled a lawsuit out of court filed by the Animal Protection Institute, seeking protections for the Canada lynx. As part of that settlement, MDIFW agreed to once again place restrictions of trap usage. Larger traps used by coyote trappers were eliminated because of unfounded fears that lynx might get caught in them.

When you talk with trappers across Maine, the overwhelming consensus that I get is that once the state banned the use of snares, the only effective means of trapping the coyote was gone.

Even though MDIFW has lengthened coyote hunting seasons and has even allowed nighttime hunting, this effort has virtually no affect on coyote populations. The recent upturn in pelt prices has helped motivate a few more hunters and trappers but not to any point that would result in population reductions.

As we sit and wait the findings of the deer group, we will then see what, if anything, the JSC will propose for legislative action to help save a threatened whitetail deer herd.

Or will we be staring down the barrel of another all talk and no action recommendation?

Tom Remington

Mark Latti has been the information guy at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for the past nine years and he is moving on and over. He will become the new Public Information Officer at the Maine Department of Transportation. I want to thank Mark for everything he has done for the past nine years and wish him the very best of luck at his new position.

In the meantime, Roland Martin, Commissioner for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, swore in four new wardens.

AUGUSTA, Maine – Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin today swore in four new Maine Warden Service game wardens during a ceremony at the service’s Sidney Regional Headquarters.

“They’re going to do great work for the state of Maine,” Martin told the wardens’ families and supervisors who attended the event.

“Wear that uniform with pride,” he instructed the wardens.

The four wardens were graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy last Friday, but their education is not over yet. After the holidays, the wardens will attend orientation on Maine Warden Service policies and procedures. Then they’ll train with a supervisor in a district near their hometowns. Starting in June 2008, they’ll attend Warden School for 14 weeks. Once completed, each warden will be assigned to a district.

“Being a Maine Game Warden is something to be proud of,” said Maine Warden Service Acting Colonel Gregory Sanborn. “You have the best job in the state of Maine.”

During today’s ceremony, the four wardens recited a service oath administered by the Commissioner, and their Warden Service badges were pinned to their jackets by family members.

The new wardens are:
 Aaron Cross of Morrill, whose father, Dale, pinned the badge;

 Kevin Pelkey of Brunswick, whose wife, Anne-Marie, pinned the badge;

 Chris MacCabe of Monmouth, whose father, Karl, pinned the badge. MacCabe’s mother, Penny, watched the pinning.

 Eric Dauphinee of Willimantic, whose wife, Michelle, pinned the badge. His parents, Steve and Deanna Dauphinee, watched the pinning.

For Mr. and Mrs. Dauphinee, the event was an emotional one. Their son, Troy, also is a Game Warden.

“This is the second time this has happened for my wife and I and I couldn’t be more proud,” Steve Dauphinee told the attendees.

More than 125 people are employed by the Maine Warden Service. The job responsibilities of a warden include the enforcement of laws and department rules in the areas of fish and wildlife conservation, recreational vehicle usage, and search and rescue.

Tom Remington

On January 24, the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission is planning a meeting to hear public debate on the prospects of opening up a spring catch and release fishing season for Atlantic salmon. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Holden Elementary School.

Presently, there is a short season in the fall on a short stretch of the Penobscot River near Bangor, but some anglers would like to see a spring version of that. According to Kevin Miller of the Bangor Daily News, even the biologists involved in this project are not in complete agreement.

A mortality assessment performed by state fisheries biologists determined that the proposed May fishery would pose “extremely low” risks to the fish. But even biologists at the Bureau of Sea Run Fisheries and Habitat — the agency that oversees restoration and management of Atlantic salmon — have been split about whether the state should hold a spring season.

Evidently the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is debating whether to add the Penobscot salmon to the endangered list. Should that happen, most conclude that it would put an end to any kind of salmon fishing on the Penobscot River.

Tom Remington

As has been typical all across Maine since even before the inception of Gov. Baldacci’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place, we have heard what it is that makes Maine special and what we need to do to protect that. Today in the Kennebec Journal, Richard Barringer, chair of the governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place, tells readers about the astounding conclusion the council has come to in order to protect Maine’s quality of place.

The Governor’s Council on Maine’s Quality of Place believes it has found the key: That the enjoyment of Maine’s land, water, wildlife, historic buildings, cultural assets and scenery is more critical than ever to Maine’s economic future. We no longer can take these for granted, as once we could. We must secure them, invest in them, and preserve access to them for residents and visitors alike as the very foundation of a sustainable Maine economy.

Really, this is nothing new! None of us should be surprised. As I have said before, it appears that most Mainers, at least those wanting to be heard, seem to put more value on the things Barringer mentions above. Just take a look around. Most development and new industry is told they aren’t wanted. Maine people want things to remain just the way they are. And so it does.

Prior to the governor’s council meetings, wasn’t it already clear what was important to the citizens of Maine? Everywhere you turned you could read or hear someone exclaiming about Maine’s beauty, the opportunities we have on lakes, rivers, stream, hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting, skiing, our state parks, national forests and national parks. To go along with this we have Maine leaders decrying that Maine’s tourism industry is the future of jobs and saving Maine’s economy. At the same time, other leaders put little future stock in this industry because the jobs are seasonal, few benefits and are too dependent on uncontrollable things like weather, gas prices, etc.

My concern is this. Being that Barringer claims that his Council has found the key to protecting Maine’s quality of place and that key is something that most of us knew from the beginning, then what was behind the governor’s thinking when he appointed the members of the Council?

I’m not here to ridicule the members of the Council. I know very little of any of them. But when you look at the backgrounds or interests of which they represent, I have to question whether this group is best representing the interests of Maine and her quality of place.

The governor’s Council, aside from his support staff and employees of the State Planning Office, is made up of 17 members. Here is a sampling of the interests being represented:
1. A Research Professor
2. City Manager
3. Greater Portland Landmarks
4. Maine Coast Heritage Trust
5. Mountain Counties Heritage Network
6. Natural Resources Council of Maine
7. Realtor
8. Kennebec Valley Council of Governments
9. CEO of a family owned business
10. Planning Consulting business
11. Private business owner
12. Development Company
13. Reny’s Department Stores
14. Town Planner
15. Engineer-Architect Company
16. Maine Highlands Guild
17. Maine Community Foundation, Inc.

I’m not sure that I can find how this cross section of interests have come to the conclusion that the key to Maine’s quality of place is as stated.

In Barringer’s piece he further goes on to explain how this key ingredient is going to save Maine’s economy while at the same time protect its quality of place.

These assets have long attracted seasonal residents and tourists. Now they attract retirees, new businesses and skilled workers, even as the importance of tourism to our economy grows steadily. Through tourism alone, our quality of place to seasonal visitors now accounts for more than one-fifth of our entire economy and 17 percent of all our jobs, compared to just 9 percent in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Most of all, our quality of place is an attractive asset for the workforce we need for the 21st century — workers with the skills to build our new manufacturing, technology, research and development and professional service industries highly value quality of place. That is what the Governor’s Council found in studying these industries here in the United States and around the globe.

The council also found that treating quality of place as an economic asset means more than just coming up with funds to preserve nice places. It means investing in Maine’s quality of place assets in a bold, new development strategy, driven by local people, while organizing state government as a supporting, helpful partner and coach.

Rah, rah, rah! Go team go! Fight team fight! Win team win! What I think he is trying to say is what I was told not that long ago from the superintendent of one of Maine’s school districts when I asked why Maine’s teachers were among some of the lowest paid teachers nationwide. Essentially what I was told was that people who chose to live in Maine, because it’s such a nice place to live, need to understand that the trade off was a substantial reduction in pay in exchange for the “quality of place” (not his words).

So, are we now to conclude that because a group of business people have determined that Maine’s quality of place is determined by “the enjoyment of Maine’s land, water, wildlife, historic buildings, cultural assets and scenery” and this will be “the very foundation of a sustainable Maine economy”, we have all been saved?

Are we to tell all interested businesses coming to Maine, well at least any that Maine might determine as to not overstep the qualifications of “quality of place”, that we know that our corporate taxes are among the highest in the nation and that we know that Maine is one of the highest taxed states in the nation and we know that Maine has pretty places, a lot of water, an abundance of wildlife, historic buildings and cultural assets and because of that you don’t have to pay your workers competitive wages or benefits? Is this our future?

Make no mistake about it. Finding a balance between preserving what the council says is the key to “quality of place” and revitalizing Maine’s economy is no easy task. To be honest, I’m not sure it can even be done. But for me, I’m going to be quite skeptical about taking recommendations from a group that really seemed to have little or no representation of any of the key elements of what they have deemed essential to Maine’s future.

Maybe it’s time for Baldacci to form another group to study the results of the last group. This is about all that he can manage to do during his tenure as governor. Why not just one more.

Tom Remington

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Tom Remington