Keep Maine's waters clean and healthy





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






plastic lures
Your lure called. It wants to stay attached to your hook.

Soft plastic lures are fish-catching machines. Unfortunately, they’re also surprisingly good at disappearing into lakes, hanging from trees, or getting launched into orbit after an overly ambitious cast.

And while losing a lure now and then happens to everyone, soft plastics left in the water can create problems for fish and the environment. Fish may mistake them for food, and nobody wants their favorite fishing spot turning into an underwater junk drawer.

The good news? A few small habits can make a big difference for generations to come.

Three ways to fish responsibly with soft plastic lures:

1
Properly dispose of soft plastic lures

Used-up plastics belong in the trash, not the lake, boat ramp parking lot, or wedged into a tree branch like some kind of sad fishing ornament. If your bait is toast, please toss it properly in a trash can or recycling canister.



2
Secure your lure

O-rings (pictured above), hooks with a twist lock or built-in bait holding device, and swimbait keepers are a few great tools to keep you fishing and your lure where it belongs — think of them as seatbelts for your bait. 



3
Check your bait often

We get it. Every angler has looked at a shredded bait and thought: "“It’ll probably survive another cast.” "Spoiler alert: it more than likely will not survive another cast.

*Remember, it is time to replace or repair your lure if:*


* The lure keeps sliding down the hook
* The lure has a minor cut
* The plastic is stretched or brittle
* You have caught several fish and worked the lure over abrasive cover


A quick lure swap helps keep fish healthy, waters clean, and your fishing buddy from saying, "“Told you so.”" Thanks for doing your part to keep Maine waters clean, healthy, and full of fish—not forgotten plastics.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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fishing

What’s Biting This Month?

Before you load up the tackle box and tell everyone you "“know a spot,”" check out the latest monthly fishing report. From water conditions and hot bites to stocking updates and seasonal tips, our fisheries biologists share what’s happening on the water across Maine—so you can spend less time guessing and more time fishing.

*Fishing Report* [ [link removed] ]


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warden on a boat

Know Before You Cast

Fishing regulations can change from one waterbody to the next, and nothing ruins a good day on the water faster than realizing you definitely should have checked first. Before you head out, be sure to brush up on Maine’s fishing laws for season dates, size and bag limits, special regulations, and more to avoid headaches down the road.  

*Maine Fishing Laws* [ [link removed] ]


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Outdoor Partners logo [ [link removed]? ]
Protect the Practice

* *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 and soft roads.
* *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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More information

* Buy a fishing license [ [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] ]
* Current stocking report [ [link removed] ]
* Maine Fishing Guide [ [link removed] ]
* Fishing with soft plastic lures [ [link removed] ]
* Use of lead fishing tackle [ [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] ]