An Act To Establish and Enhance Populations of Large Landlocked Salmon in Certain Inland Waters
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 12 MRSA §12462 is enacted to read:
§ 12462. Landlocked salmon management; select waters and regulations
Beginning October 1, 2009, the department shall manage Green Lake in Hancock County, Sebec Lake in Piscataquis County, West Grand Lake in Washington County and Sebago Lake in Cumberland County primarily for landlocked salmon.
1. Restrictions. The prohibitions in this subsection apply to landlocked salmon in the water bodies listed in this section.
A. A person may not exceed the daily bag limit of 2 salmon.
B. A person may not possess as part of that person's daily bag limit more than one salmon more than 22 inches in length.
C. A person may not keep a salmon less than 14 inches in length and must release such a salmon alive immediately.
D. A person may not keep a salmon between 18 inches and 22 inches in length and must release such a salmon alive immediately.
2. Penalties. The penalties under this subsection apply to violations of subsection 1.
A. A person who violates subsection 1 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.
B. A person who violates subsection 1 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.
summary
This bill directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to manage certain inland waters primarily for landlocked salmon and provides bag limits and length restrictions for landlocked salmon in those waters.