Lobstermen, Fishers Have Cheaper Bait for Fishing Season

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine lobstermen are out fishing after a cold winter - but they have many more options for bait fish than they did last year.
 
The state Department of Marine Resources says bait fish are much less expensive than last year, where the price of herring rose to as high as 60 cents a pound. The Portland Press Herald reports that herring costs about half as much this year.
 
Commissioner Pat Keliher says it is definitely better but still not a great price. Herring went for around 18 cents a pound in 2015.
 
Demand for bait has been low this year due to the month-late start to the fishing season because of cold weather. Keliher says the late start has helped keep demand and prices down on bait.