GENERAL FISHING LAWS FOR INLAND WATERS
GENERAL FISHING LAWS FOR INLAND WATERS
A valid fishing license is required . See page 48 for license requirements and fees .
TERMINAL GEAR
NORTH ZONE
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 .
SOUTH ZONE
Use of all legal forms of bait ( including live baitfish / smelts ), artificial lures , and artificial flies is PERMITTED .
SEASONS
NORTH ZONE
SOUTH ZONE
LAKES & PONDS
• From Apr 1 to Sep 30 : Open to open water fishing .
• From Oct 1 to Mar 31 : Closed to all fishing .
• From Jan 1 to Dec 31 : Open to ice and open water fishing .
NORTH AND SOUTH ZONES
RIVERS , STREAMS , BROOKS
• From Apr 1 to Aug 15 : Open to open water fishing .
• From Aug 16 to Sep 30 : Open to open water fishing using artificial lures or flies only . General law length and bag limits apply , except daily bag limit one landlocked salmon and one brook trout .
• From Oct 1 to Mar 31 : Closed to all fishing .
SPECIES
Brook Trout ( includes Splake & Arctic charr )
SEASON AND SPECIAL LAW CODES
SPECIAL SEASON CODES
A : Open to ice fishing and open water fishing from Jan 1 - Dec 31 .
B : Open to ice fishing and open water fishing from Jan 1 - Apr 30 .
CI : Closed to ice fishing .
CO : Closed to open water fishing from Oct 1 - Mar 31 .
SPECIAL LAW CODES
ALO : Artificial lures only . FFO : Fly fishing only . S-1 : Closed to the taking of smelts .
S-2 : Closed to the taking of smelts , except by hook and line .
S-3 : Direct tributaries closed to the taking of smelts .
S-4 : Use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited . ( The use of dead fish , salmon eggs , or worms is permitted .)
DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS
S-7 : All trout , landlocked salmon , and togue caught must be released alive at once .
S-8 : Restricted to two lines per person .
S-9 : Open to fishing only for persons under 16 years of age or persons holding an eligible complimentary fishing license .
S-10 : Closed to all fishing from Dec 1 – Mar 31 .
S-11 : The use or possession of live baitfish / live smelts is permitted .
S-13 : No size or bag limit on bass .
S-16 : Daily bag limit on brook trout ( includes splake and Arctic charr ): 2 fish ; minimum length limit : 12 inches , only 1 may exceed 14 inches .
S-17 : Daily bag limit on brook trout ( includes splake and Arctic charr ): 2 fish ; minimum length limit : 10 inches , only 1 may exceed 12 inches .
LENGTH LIMITS
LAKES & PONDS RIVERS , STREAMS , BROOKS LAKES & PONDS RIVERS , STREAMS , BROOKS NORTH ZONE : 5 fish SOUTH ZONE : 2 fish
5 fish 6 inches minimum 6 inches minimum
Brown Trout 2 fish 2 fish 14 inches minimum 6 " min & 25 " max Rainbow Trout 2 fish 2 fish 12 inches minimum 6 inches minimum Landlocked Salmon 2 fish 2 fish 14 inches minimum 14 " min & 25 " max Togue ( Lake Trout ) 2 fish 2 fish 18 inches minimum 18 inches minimum SPECIES DAILY BAG & POSSESSION LIMITS LENGTH LIMITS
Bass ( Largemouth & Smallmouth )
NORTH ZONE : Unlimited
None
SOUTH ZONE : 2 fish No minimum length . Only 1 may exceed 14 inches . Whitefish 3 fish None Smelts 2 quarts None
Sea-run Atlantic Salmon , Redfin Pickerel , Swamp Darter
Endangered or Threatened Species - No Fishing Permitted
Striped Bass , Shad , River Herring , American Eel , Sturgeon See page A-1 Inland species not listed above Unlimited None
S-18 : Daily bag limit on brook trout ( includes splake and Arctic charr ): 1 fish , minimum length limit 18 inches .
S-19 : Daily limit on brook trout ( includes splake and Arctic charr ): 2 fish .
S-20 : All brook trout ( includes splake and Arctic charr ) less than 6 inches and longer than 12 inches must be released alive at once .
S-21 : Daily bag limit on brook trout ( includes splake and Arctic charr ): 1 fish ; minimum length limit : 14 inches .
S-22 : Daily bag limit on landlocked salmon : 1 fish .
S-25 : Daily bag limit on togue : 1 fish .
S-26 : Daily bag limit on togue : 3 fish ; minimum length limit : 14 inches , only 1 may exceed 18 inches .
S-33 : Maximum length on landlocked salmon and brown trout : 25 inches .