Start planning your winter ice fishing adventures





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






It's almost time for that first FLAG!

two females carrying ice fishing gear onto ice with fresh snow on trees and on ice [ [link removed] ]

You may already have a list of waters you plan to hit as soon as the ice is ready... But if you're up for a new adventure or recommendation, or want to target a different species, we've got a list of recommendations from fisheries biologists across the state in the December and January Fishing Report [ [link removed] ].?

Mother Nature doesn't always cooperate, and we still need the right conditions to set in before ice will begin to form in most of the state. Be patient, start planning, get your traps ready, and do your ice dance! Hopefully we will be chasing flags soon. Always check the ice for yourself and use extreme caution.?

For more information on where to fish and tips from Maine's fisheries biologists, read the December and January fishing reports at?mefishwildlife.com/fishingreport [ [link removed] ].

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*View Fishing Report* [ [link removed] ]


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Maine inland fishing laws

The 2023 inland fishing laws are in effect until 11:59 PM on December 31, 2023 and can be found online at mefishwildlife.com/fishinglaws [ [link removed] ].

To help you begin planning your 2024 fishing trips, the 2024 Inland Fishing Law Book [ [link removed] ] is now available online.

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person drilling an ice fishing hole with an auger
*Enjoy your day on the ice, and remember these tips*

There is no question, ice fishing is a large part of Maine's outdoor heritage. Enjoy your ice fishing trip, and remember:??


* *Leave no trace ??*Carry out all that you carry in.?
* *Park in public or designated areas*?- Don't block paths or other roads. Be mindful of muddy, soft road conditions.
* *Respect private property ??*Utilize public access sites or areas where you have permission to park or access.
* *Be prepared ??*Check the weather, bring what you need for the day, and let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
* *Take care of your catch?*???**If you are practicing catch and release, do so quickly and responsibly.?If you harvest your catch, please bring it home with you. [ [link removed] ]


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man setting ice fishing trap
Beginner?s guide to ice fishing in Maine

Starting a new hobby can be both exciting and intimidating, luckily ice fishing is a winter hobby that can be enjoyed with a few pieces of equipment and there are endless opportunities throughout the state. Learn what gear you need to get started and more in our beginner's guide [ [link removed] ].?



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ice fishing hole
Ice safety tips

Winter is one of the greatest seasons to enjoy the Maine outdoors but to do so safely, you must keep in mind that ice conditions are always changing. There are many factors to consider when determining whether the ice conditions are safe, and they can vary from day-to-day and from one water body to the next. Here are some important tips and tricks to keep in mind when judging ice conditions. [ [link removed] ]







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More information

Buy a fishing license [ [link removed] ]
Monthly fishing report [ [link removed] ]
Beginner?s guide to ice fishing in Maine [ [link removed] ]
Ice safety tips [ [link removed] ]
Search Maine fishing laws [ [link removed] ]
Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT) [ [link removed] ]
Protect our Waters from Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]
Fishing resources [ [link removed] ]
Fish stocking report [ [link removed] ]
Maine Fishing Guide [ [link removed] ]
Fishing with soft plastic lures [ [link removed] ]
Learn how to be a good land user [ [link removed] ]
Hire a registered Maine guide [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ?41 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0041 ? (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]