© 2024 Maine Public

Bangor Studio/Membership Department
63 Texas Ave.
Bangor, ME 04401

Lewiston Studio
1450 Lisbon St.
Lewiston, ME 04240

Portland Studio
323 Marginal Way
Portland, ME 04101

Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Maine Regulators to Consider Smelt Shutdown on Tuesday

PORTLAND, Maine - The future of Maine smelt fishing is up for a key vote that could restrict the harvesting of the wriggling fish.

A Maine advisory committee was set to decide Tuesday if the state will enact new regulations to protect the declining populations of the fish. Smelts are popular in Maine among winter ice fishermen and as a batter fried treat.

The new rules would divide the state into three smelt management "zones,'' with the strictest rules on the southern coast. The rules would mean no smelt fishing in the southern part of Maine from March 15 to June 30.

The Department of Marine Resources Advisory Council was scheduled to consider the new regulations at 1 p.m. State officials expected a ruling near the end of the day.