Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §7155, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 1985, c. 234, §2, is amended to read:

2. Rules. The commissioner shall promulgate adopt all necessary rules relative to permits to insure ensure that derbies and tournaments are conducted only at such times and places and in such a manner as is consistent with the fisheries management objectives of the department. Such rules shall must include:

A. Specifying the number of derbies or tournaments that may be conducted in a given body of water and the dates within which they may be conducted. These rules shall must be reviewed periodically; and

B. Fixing the maximum total value of prizes which that may be awarded at each derby or tournament.

Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, fishing derbies are limited to one every other year in a given body of water.

Sec. 2. 12 MRSA §7571, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1979, c. 420, §1, is amended to read:

All inland waters of the State are closed to ice fishing except those which have been that are opened to fishing through the ice by rule of the commissioner. All inland waters that are open to fishing through the ice are open from February 1st to March 31st.

Sec. 3. 12 MRSA §7572, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1989, c. 493, §45, is further amended to read:

1. Two-line limit. Unless otherwise provided by rule, a person licensed to fish may fish through ice in the daytime with not more than 5 2 lines set or otherwise, which shall that must be under that person's immediate supervision, in any waters which have been that are opened to ice fishing by the commissioner.

Sec. 4. 12 MRSA §7572, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 438, §35, is further amended to read:

2. Cusk. Unless otherwise provided by rule, a person licensed to fish may fish through the ice in the nighttime for cusk in waters that have been opened pursuant to section 7571, subsection 2, by using not more than 5 2 lines set or otherwise. All lines set for cusk in the nighttime must be visited at least once every hour by the person setting them.