February 15-16, 2025
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
*mefishwildlife.com*
Free Fishing Weekend is February 15-16, 2025
woman and man ice fishing and catching a largemouth bass [ [link removed] ]
Grab a friend, neighbor, family member, colleague... it's time to go fishing!
During Free Fishing Weekend, any person may fish without a license. "Those whose license has been suspended or revoked cannot participate in Free Fishing Weekend. "
It's a perfect weekend to try ice fishing for the first time! Or maybe you haven't fished in years or since you were a child... Leave the excuses at home and go fishing. You'll be glad you did! Here is some helpful information to help you plan your fun day on the ice:
*Looking for a place to go?* Check out our monthly fishing report [ [link removed] ] or view the stocking report [ [link removed] ] to see where we stocked fish this fall.
*Wondering where to buy baitfish or smelts?* Find a bait retailer [ [link removed] ] (be sure to check the water you are fishing allows live baitfish and smelts to be used).
*Wondering what gear you need to get started and what to do when you arrive?* View our Beginner's Guide to Ice Fishing in Maine. [ [link removed] ]
*Have other questions about ice fishing?* Check out these frequently asked questions and answers. [ [link removed] ]
*Is a learn to ice fish clinic more your style?* Join us at our Winter Outdoor Extravaganza [ [link removed] ] on Saturday, February 15 at Range Pond State Park in Poland.
*Want to freshen up your ice safety knowledge? *View these ice safety tips [ [link removed] ] and remember to always check the ice for yourself.
We hope to see you out on the ice!
*View Fishing Report* [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________
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] ].
________________________________________________________________________
Outdoor Partners logo a circular logo with green and blue land symbol
*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] ]
________________________________________________________________________
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] ]
________________________________________________________________________
More information
Buy a fishing license [ [link removed] ]
Monthly fishing report [ [link removed] ]
Beginner’s guide to ice fishing in Maine
[ [link removed] ]Find a bait fish and smelt retailer [ [link removed] ]Ice safety tips [ [link removed] ]
Search Maine fishing laws [ [link removed] ]
2025 Fishing Law Book (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT) [ [link removed] ]
Protect our Waters from Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]
Fishing resources [ [link removed] ]
Current stocking report [ [link removed] ]
Maine Fishing Guide [ [link removed] ]
Fishing with soft plastic lures [ [link removed] ]
Stay Connected with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: Facebook [ [link removed] ] Twitter [ [link removed] ] Youtube [ [link removed] ] LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] Govdelivery [ [link removed] ]
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ] | Unsubscribe All [ [link removed] ] | Help [ [link removed] ]
________________________________________________________________________
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] ]
