52 BAITFISH AND SMELT INFORMATION
HARVESTING BAITFISH FOR PERSONAL USE All inland waters ( including rivers , streams and brooks ) are open to the taking of baitfish for personal use unless designated “ closed to the taking of live baitfish ” ( see Special Fishing Laws beginning on page 5 ), with the following conditions :
• Fishing license required – You must have a valid Maine fishing license to harvest baitfish for personal use . Baitfish may not be sold or harvested with the intent to sell without a bait dealer ’ s license .
• Label and tend your traps – Baitfish traps and holding cages must be labeled with the owner ’ s name and address , and must be tended at least once every 7 days by the person who set them . Baitfish traps may only be used to harvest baitfish species , as defined . All other fish must be immediately released alive into the water from which they were taken . Note : It is unlawful to harvest rainbow smelt with a baitfish trap .
• Trap specifications apply – Baitfish traps may not exceed 50 cubic feet in volume and must be fitted with rigid entrance or exit holes .
HARVESTING SMELTS FOR PERSONAL USE Unless closed by rule as indicated within the Special Fishing Laws ( beginning on page 5 ), a person holding a valid Maine fishing license may :
• Take rainbow smelt for recreational purposes by hook and line from inland waters that are open to fishing in accordance with bag limits established by rule .
• Take rainbow smelt for recreational purposes only from the inland waters or portions of inland waters that are naturally free of ice with a dip net in the usual and ordinary way from noon to 2:00 a . m . in accordance with bag limits established by rule . Bag limits established by rule under this paragraph are for a 24-hour period , beginning at noon on a given day and ending at 11:59 a . m . the following day .
A person may not take rainbow smelt with a dip net unless it meets the requirements listed under the dip net definition ( Title 12 , § 12456 ). A dip net when used to take rainbow smelt in a tributary or within 100 feet of the mouth of a tributary must contain a rigid circular frame that is not more than 24 inches in diameter as measured at any point on the hoop and manually operated by a single person ( Title 12 , § 10001-12-A ).
Fishing license required – You must have a valid Maine fishing license to harvest rainbow smelt for personal use . Rainbow smelt may not be sold or harvested with the intent to sell without a bait dealer ’ s license .
IMPORTATION OF FISH PROHIBITED It is unlawful to introduce , import , or transport any live fish or fish gametes ( including baitfish or smelts ) into the State of Maine without a permit ((§ 12509 ). This law helps keep Maine ’ s waters healthy by limiting the introduction of foreign fish diseases and parasites , exotic fish species , invasive plants , and other undesirable aquatic life that can irreversibly damage Maine ’ s natural resources . Do your part by only using locally caught legal baitfish species when fishing in Maine .
STORING LIVE BAITFISH AND SMELTS You may not store or hold live baitfish or smelts in waters where the use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited during the entire fishing season . This includes waters restricted to the use of artificial lures only , waters restricted to fly fishing , and waters where there are other prohibitions on the use of live fish as bait .
COMMERCIAL BAIT DEALER ’ S LICENSE In order to harvest live baitfish and smelts for sale , or to buy and resell them , you must possess a valid bait dealer ’ s license ( Bait Retail License , Bait Wholesale License , or Smelt Wholesale License ). For more information on license requirements or how to obtain a license , contact MDIFW at ( 207 ) 287-8000 or visit mefishwildlife . com .
TIPS ON IDENTIFYING COMMON LEGAL BAITFISH AND SMELT
LATERAL LINE DORSAL FIN
PECTORAL FIN
VENTRAL ( PELVIC ) FIN
ANAL FIN CAUDAL FIN female
ADIPOSE FIN male
Rainbow Smelt
• Long , slender , and silvery
• Adipose fin present
Fathead Minnow
• First dorsal fin ray is short and thick
• Distinctive fat / flattened head shape
• Generally 2 – 2.5 " in length
Creek Chub
• Similar to Lake Chub but with a dark spot at base of dorsal fin
• Upper jaw extends at least to below front of eye
2024 STATE OF MAINE LAWS & RULES FISHING