Support Maine's State Heritage Fish Waters
Photo courtesy of Cecil Gray.
Unlike most state wild trout programs, Maine’s State Heritage Fish program is a law not a policy. It is also the most widely applied wild or native trout program in the country.
Enacted in 2005, Maine’s State Heritage Fish law originally applied to never-stocked brook trout lakes and ponds only. It was amended in 2007 to include Arctic charr. In 2009 it was amended to add some water-specific exemptions. It was amended again in 2014 to include lakes and ponds that had not been stocked in twenty-five years or more.
“Posting informational signs on Maine’s State Heritage Fish waters not only helps protect this irreplaceable resource, but it is a great excuse to fish some new wild native brook trout water. ”
HELP PROTECT MAINE'S STATE HERITAGE FISH BY VOLUNTEERING FOR, SPONSORING, OR DONATING TO THE JOINT NATIVE FISH COALITION, SPORTSMAN'S ALLIANCE OF MAINE, AND MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE STATE HERITAGE FISH INFORMATIONAL SIGN INITIATIVE.
Maine is the last stronghold for wild native lake- and pond-dwelling brook trout in the United States, accounting for more than 90% of the remaining intact populations. The number one threat to these wild native trout is invasive fish introductions, both game and bait species.
This initiative aims to help protect this ecologically, economically, socially, and recreationally important resource by trying to prevent the introduction of invasive fish species through bucket-biology and the illegal use of live fish as bait.
Approximately 580 of Maine’s self-sustaining brook trout lakes and ponds are protected under the State Heritage Fish law. A citizen-driven legislative action, the law prohibits stocking and the use of live fish as bait on so-designated waters. The goal of this project is to make anglers aware of the location of these waters, status, threats, and the laws in place to protect them.
According to several fish and wildlife professionals we spoke with, 20-30% of those found breaking the law do not know they are doing so. In many cases they do not know where they are, or did not take the time to read the rule book. This includes the illegal use of live fish as bait.
If we can prevent even 10% of the accidental and illegal use of live bait where it poses a threat to wild native brook trout, and save even one water from an invasive fish introduction, the project will be well worth the cost and effort.
With roughly 580 waters, and more being added each year, many of which need multiple signs, the material costs (signs and hardware) for this project will be in excess of $8,000. We have also had to purchase volunteer liability insurance.
The manpower requirements and costs for this project are immeasurable and beyond the reach of most state fish and game agencies. This includes time, gas, gate fees, camping fees, food, administration, etc., much of which is being absorbed by NFC members and volunteers.
THERE ARE FIVE WAYS YOU CAN HELP
PURCHASE A SIGN: For a donation of $55 (which includes shipping) you can have your own Maine State Heritage Fish brook trout sign. A great addition addition to your camp, cabin, cottage, fly tying room, office, (wo)man cave or business, your donation will help pay for roughly four signs. Click here to purchase a sign.
ADOPT A SIGN: For a donation of $20 you can have your name written on the back of a sign and be added to the list of project sponsors on our website. Your sign will be put up at a lake or pond by one of our volunteers. Your donation will help pay for roughly two signs. Click here to adopt a sign.
ADOPT A POND: For a donation of $20 per sign you can personally put up the sign(s) at your favorite State Heritage Fish lake or pond. Depending on access, waters will have between 1 and 5 signs. Write your name on the back of a sign, secure it as directed, take a selfie and send it in for inclusion in our online project photo gallery. You will also be added to the list of project sponsors on our website. Your donation will help pay for your sign(s) and one other. Email us at Info@NativeFishCoalition.org to learn more.
MAKE A DONATION: Make a random donation to help offset the cost of signs, hardware, and volunteer liability insurance. Every bit helps. Click Here to donate.
VOLUNTEER: We are looking for people to go into the field and put up signs. Signs and hardware will be provided along with landowner permission and instructions. It’s a rewarding experience.
VIEW THE LIST OF STATE HERITAGE FISH WATERS & SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER:
You can zoom in and out, move the map within your viewing area, and click on waters to get information and coordinates, as well as a link to sign-up to post the sign(s).
Once you have requested a pond(s), you will be emailed several documents explaining the process, giving you permission to pick up your signs and hardware and how to do so, and authorizing you to put the signs up.
Be sure to read all the documents provided to you before you head into the field...
Signs and hardware can be picked up at Sportsman's Alliance of Maine headquarters at 205 Church Hill Road in Augusta. Be sure to call ahead to make an appointment and remember to bring all your documents with you.
PROJECT TIME-FRAME
It will take five years or so to get the bulk of waters posted, and it is very likely we will never be able to get to all of them. By the time we post the majority, we will have to circle back to replace damaged, lost, stolen, and vandalized signs. As a result the project will never be completely "done." But even 75%, a very attainable goal, will be a huge step in the right direction.
PROJECT MILESTONES
In late September 2019, NFC National Chair and founding Maine Chair Chair Emily Bastion and Executive Director Bob Mallard, both current Maine Advisory Council members, posted a State Heritage Fish sign on the 200th water to receive such, aptly named Lucky Pond, less than a year and a half into the project...
NFC National Vice Chair and Maine Chair Emily Bastion and Executive Director and Maine Board member Bob Mallard. (Jeffrey Moore)
Another milestones reached in 2019 were the first postings of signs on tribal land owned by the Penobscot Nation. This involved custom signs featuring the tribal seal and colors. NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard and friend Jeff Moore posted 3 signs on 2 waters, and left a tribal member, Lobster Daylight, with a sign to post on a 3rd water.
In 2019, Emily Bastian and Bob Mallard posted the first signs on state-owned land managed by Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL). Like tribal-owned land, this involved custom signs with BPL’s logo and special colors to fit the “wilderness” theme of our public lands. This also involved mounting boards that were supplied by NFC.
In mid June 2021, all-star volunteer team Leslie, Jim, and Matt Kelly posted a State Heritage Fish sign on a small water in northern Aroostook County, the 300th water to receive such, and less than three years into the project.
Another milestones reached in 2021 were the first postings of signs on tribal land owned by the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township. This involved custom signs featuring the tribal seal and colors. Tribal staff posted 3 signs on 3 waters.
THE NUMBERS…
North Maine Woods, Inc., has generously offered free day access ($10 per day for ME residents, $15 for nonresidents) to NFC volunteers and one guest for the purpose of putting signs up. The number of free days will be dictated by the number of waters being addressed. To learn more click here.
Carrying on a Maine Tradition...
Maine's State Heritage Fish waters are a national treasure. If we can save even one lake or pond from a costly-to-correct, or worse, impossible-to-correct, nonnative invasive fish introduction our cost and efforts are justified. Please help NFC, SAM, and IFW get these important informational signs posted.
Organizations That Have Supported the Initiative
(Click on Logo to Learn More)
This project was funded in part by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, in which proceeds from the sale of a dedicated instant lottery ticket ("Lucky Catch") are used to support outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation. For more information about MOHF click here.
commemorative beer
Our friends at Northwoods Brewing Company in New Hampshire released a State Heritage Fish commemorative beer in April 20023. Like most people, they appreciate what we have in Maine in regard to our legally protected State Heritage Fish waters.
Full can wrap…
Emily Bastian, Chandler Woodcock, and David Trahan. (Bob Mallard)
George Smith fishing the Kennebec River. (Bob Mallard)
Click Here to Read GeorgeSmithMaine.com
CUSTOM SIGNS
Below are custom signs we developed for State Heritage Fish waters on state- and tribal-owned lands. These signs recognize the unique ownership and stewardship of these invaluable wild native trout resources.
To learn more about the Maine chapter of Native Fish Coalition click here
Native Fish Coalition founding member, Executive Director, and Maine Advisory Council member Bob Mallard with the first State Heritage Fish sign posted June 2018, Misery Pond, Misery TWP, Somerset County, Maine. (Jeffrey Moore)