AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has adopted a rule that will limit the use of live fish as bait. Maine Director of Fisheries and Hatcheries Francis Brautigam says this new rule will better protect wild trout waters. If bait fish escape and breed, they can out-compete wild trout for food.
The Portland Press Herald reports that the department's advisory council unanimously approved the regulation on Wednesday.
The new rule would prohibit the use of live fish as bait in most of northern Maine's lakes and ponds, which make up most wild trout waters in New England.
The new rule will take effect Jan. 1, 2020. The practice will continue in some waters under a special regulation.