Free Fishing Weekend Cast a line or set a tip-up during one of Maine’s Free Fishing Weekends, February 18-19 and June 3-4, 2023. On these days, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days.
Can kids fish free in Maine?
A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older, to fish in inland waters or transport fish taken from inland waters.
Can you use worms for ice fishing in Maine?
From Jan 1 to Dec 31: Open to ice and open water fishing. Use or possession of live fish as bait is PROHIBITED. The use of all other legal forms of bait (including worms and dead baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED.
Is ice fishing at night legal in Maine?
Night Fishing: Except as otherwise provided by rule, all waters open to fishing are open to fishing 24 hours a day. All lines must be under the immediate supervision of the person who set them (Open Water Fishing – Title 12, §12652, Ice Fishing – Title 12, §12659-A).
Do you need a license to ice fish in Maine?
Before we start with gear, the absolute first thing you need to do before heading ice fishing is to buy your Maine fishing license. You can purchase a fishing license online at mefishwildlife.com and children under 16 do not need a fishing license to ice fish.
Do you need a fishing license in Maine to fish on your own property?
Private property anglers do need a license when fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon or halibut. Maine too allows anglers to fish from their land in public waters without a fishing license but only if the property is used for “agricultural purposes”.
How many fishing poles are you allowed in Maine?
In Maine, you can fish with 2 rods when the water isn’t frozen. You can use up to 5 rods when ice fishing. In Maryland, you can fish with up to 3 rods. It is legal to fish with 2 rods in Massachusetts.
How old do you have to be to get a lifetime fishing license in Maine?
Resident Lifetime License Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 284 State St., 41 SHS Augusta, Maine 04333-0041 Lifetime licenses for hunting, fishing, trapping and archery are now available to residents of Maine who are 65 years of age or older or who are 15 years of age or younger.
Can you fish with worms in Maine?
Use or possession of live fish as bait is PROHIBITED. The use of all other legal forms of bait (including worms and dead baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED. Use of all legal forms of bait (including live baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED.
Where is the best ice fishing in Maine?
The best ice fishing lakes in ME include Moosehead Lake, Sebago Lake and East Grand Lake. The most popular species through the ice, across the state, include trout, perch and pike.
What bait do you use for ice fishing?
ICE FISHING BAIT For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows. You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish. Ice fishing jigging also works with artificial ice fishing bait.
Do red worms work for ice fishing?
Red wigglers will work best when you’re targeting walleye or trout, but tend to be too much for panfish when fishing through the ice during the winter months.
Can you use treble hooks in Maine?
A treble hook with three points is still considered one hook by legal definition in Maine. There are some places that specify single pointed hooks. Otherwise yes you can put bait on a treble hook (with waxworms I put one on every point), but only one if the lure has more than one hook.
How many ice fishing traps can you have in Maine?
In Maine, each angler can have five traps set up so many will use a combination of traps and jigging at one time.
Are umbrella rigs legal in Maine?
Is an Umbrella or Alabama Rig legal in Maine? The Alabama rig is legal to use in Maine with the following stipulations, there can only be a single baited hook on the line, the other lines can have artificial lures but you can only have a single baited hook.
How long can you ice fish in Maine?
Spending time on a frozen lake with friends and family is one of the best ways to have fun and (hopefully) catch dinner in the winter. Tasty land-locked salmon, lake trout, brook trout, cusk, smelt and white fish are all popular catches. Ice fishing begins on Jan. 1 and lasts until March 31.
Can you ice fish in Maine right now?
Wondering where you can fish right now? A “S-10” code indicates the body of water is closed to all fishing from December 1 – March 31. In the north zone, all “A” and “B” season fishing waters are open to ice fishing through the end of April.
Can I fish in Maine with a NH license?
Yes. The exception is that if you hold a NH Recreational Saltwater Fishing License, you may legally fish in all coastal and estuarine waters of Massachusetts and Maine. If you are visiting another state, you will have to purchase their saltwater license.
What is the penalty for fishing without a license in Maine?
Each day a person violates this subsection, that person commits a Class E crime for which a minimum fine of $50 and an amount equal to twice the applicable license fee must be imposed.
Can you lobster on Sunday in Maine?
Lobster fishing is permissible on Sundays from Sept. 1 until May 31, both days inclusive. 1 to May 31; it also is legal to set lobster traps at any time throughout the year.
Can anyone fish for lobster in Maine?
A non-commercial license for lobster fishing can only be issued to only one individual who must have a minimum of eight years of age while making the application (Maine). Remember that a non-commercial license gives the licensed person the chance to engage in those activities defined.
How big do Stripers have to be to keep in Maine?
SIZE LIMITS The fish must be equal to or greater than 28 inches and less than 35 inches total length. “TOTAL LENGTH” is a straight line measurement from the lower jaw to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched together. DISPOSITION Personal use only, sale is prohibited.
Are worms considered live bait?
Living organisms, like worms, insects and minnows are live bait. However, some fish and wildlife agencies may group both living and non-living bait into a broad category of “bait” which includes anything used to attract fish by scent or taste.
Can you keep catfish in Maine?
With all the cold water in Maine, it doesn’t make a good home for most catfish. You can find catfish in some private ponds and in the river systems, like the Kennebec River but the only serious populations of catfish are in a few major lakes like Damariscotta Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Graham Lake and Sebago Lake.
What does Maine lifetime license include?
Maine Resident Applicants 70+ Years of Age For a one-time fee of $8.00, a senior lifetime license entitles the holder to all privileges they are qualified to receive including hunting, trapping, archery, and fishing.