Bill > LD728

This bill amends Maine's fishing regulations regarding smelt fishing by clarifying that anglers may temporarily hold more smelt than the daily bag limit while actively fishing, provided the fish remain alive and are kept in a grader or similar live containment device. Specifically, the bill allows fishers to exceed daily bag limits during their fishing activity and provides them an opportunity to measure their catch before deciding which fish to keep or release. When finished fishing for the day, anglers must immediately release any live smelts that exceed the daily bag limit directly at the water's edge. This modification provides more flexibility for smelt fishers by allowing them to temporarily hold and assess their catch without immediately discarding fish that might exceed the prescribed daily limit, while still maintaining conservation principles by requiring the release of excess live fish at the end of the fishing session.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=728&snum=132