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Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Accepting Game Warden Applicatons

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife are currently accepting applications for the position of Game Warden.
This is certified, uniformed, law enforcement work as a member of the Maine Warden Service, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, protecting inland fish and wildlife resources and the safety of the public.

See the Recruitment Video for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife... HERE............  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JniiqGh-Pfw

Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Announces Free Fishing Weekend........

 

Free Fishing Weekend in Maine and Tips for Taking Kids Fishing

May 26, 2015 at 10:49 am by Emily MacCabe

On Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31 the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is promoting free fishing days to encourage people to get out and enjoy Maine’s waterways. This free fishing event is open to any person except those whose license has been revoked or suspended. All Maine fishing regulations apply. For a complete list of fishing regulations, including limits and sizes, visit www.mefishwildlife.com

What better opportunity to introduce a youngster to the sport? Here are some tips for taking kids fishing for the first time: First, understand that fishing with children is not the same as fishing with your buddies.  The trip needs to be centered on them.  In fact, I recommend you leave your fishing equipment at home so you can focus solely on assisting them with their own.Keep it simple.  Use a basic spincasting rod/reel combo such as a good ol’ Zebco 22.  Look for one with a smaller reel so their hands can comfortably control the “button” to release the line.  Fish with a bobber, a hook and a worm and target species such as perch, bass, crappie or other panfish that are often easy to catch and abundant.  Consider saving the trout fishing for a trip later on.
Make it a shore thing.  If you fish on shore kiddos have the freedom to move around and don’t feel isolated or confined, which will surely lead to boredom quickly.  If they want to take a break, let them take a break! Chase butterflies, tadpoles, splash in the water; if they’re having fun in the outdoors then the trip is a success.
Make sure you teach skills.  Allow them to do as much of the work as they are willing or able to do.  Teach them how to put the worm on the hook, how to cast properly and accurately, and even how to handle their fish.  If they are game right away, make sure you explain what you’re doing while they watch.  If they’re really not interested then take a break and go throw a frisbee around for a minute. The goal is that eventually they will have the skills and independence to enjoy fishing on their own.
Stress the importance of safety.  Teach them to look around before each cast and always be aware of where their hook is.  Also, I suggest making sure you both wear a hat with visor and eye protection (sunglasses or youth size shooting glasses work great).  It’s not a bad idea to have them wear a PFD, even on shore if they’re nervous around the water or they are not a strong swimmer. Most importantly, be relaxed and make it fun.  As you head out leave behind the tension and take along an open mind and a lot of patience.  Don’t measure the success of your trip by the number of casts made or fish caught.  Remember to praise children for their patience and cooperation and do what you need to do to make the day a positive memory even if that means stopping for a special treat on the way home.
I hope you take the opportunity to head outdoors with a young person in your life and discover all there is to benefit from fishing as a family. For more information about fishing as a family check out www.takemefishing.org. Learn more about Maine’s Hooked on Fishing program by contacting Brittany Humphrey at brittany.humphrey@maine.gov

Daily Updated Fish Stocking Reports Now Available on Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Website

Fish Stocking Reports

 

Fish Stocking Report Now Available With Daily Updates

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is now providing fish stocking reports featuring daily updates from hatchery staff.
Instead of hearing when and where the hatcheries have stocked well after the season has ended, anglers now will be able to easily locate waters freshly stocked with catchable trout.
Waters are grouped by county, listed by town, and include the date of stocking as well as the species, quantity, and size of fish released.
- Todd Langevin, Superintendent of Hatcheries, Augusta

You can access the updated Fish Stocking Reports by going to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's web page here...........  http://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/stocking/stocking.htm

Camp North Woods ~~Maine Fisheries & Wildlife

Camp North Woods
Our Mission
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is dedicated to providing opportunities to youth in the outdoors, where they can learn lifelong skills and the importance of sustaining Maine's natural resources.
...

Featuring Game Warden Mentors from the hit TV Series North Woods Law on Animal Planet!
Camp Highlights
•Sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.
•Camp Hosted by the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond.
•Week 1: July 15 - July 19 - All Boys
•Week 2: July 29 - August 2 - All Girls
•Any boy or girl that is at least 8 years old before July 15, 2015 and no older than 12 years old on August 2, 2015 can apply for the lottery.
•Lottery cost: One chance for $5. One entry per child.
•If selected, camper is responsible for $400 tution fee.
•Bryant Pond 4-H Camp and Learning Center is ADA certified.
•There will be 96 lottery winners - 48 campers per week.
•Lottery winners will be composed of 70% Maine residents and 30% non-residents.
•Safe and comfortable learning environment with trained professionals.
•Hands-on instruction and training in the following activities: ATV, Boating, Paddle Sports, Turkey & Deer Hunting, Outdoor Survival, Map & Compass, Life of a Maine Game Warden, Archery, Shotgun, Rifle, Spin Fishing, Fly Fishing, Fly Tying, Trapping, and more!
•Camp instructors will include: Maine Game Wardens, State Biologists, Recreational Safety Coordinators, Information & Education Staff, Bryant Pond 4-H Camp & Learning Center Staff and Maine Outdoor Professionals.
•The Saturday of each camp week will be a Family Field Day. Parents can join their child for the day and participate in the outdoor activities. Parents will also be able to stay overnight at camp at an additional cost.
Camp North Woods
4H Brant Pond
For more information, please contact:
Brittany Humphrey
Outreach Coordinator
284 State St
SHS #41
Augusta, ME 04333
Email: brittany.humphrey@maine.gov

Camp North Woods Information ~~Maine Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is pleased to announce Camp North Woods!

Camp North Woods will be held at and hosted by UMaine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond this summer and will feature Maine game warden mentors from the hit TV series North Woods Law!

There are a limited number of spaces at Camp North Woods so a chance lottery will be held on June 8, 2015. Each child may enter the drawing only once. The entry fee is $5 and all proceeds will go to support Camp North Woods. Interested campers can apply for the online lottery by visiting bit.ly/campnorthwoodslottery.

For more information about Camp North Woods visit bit.ly/campnorthwoods

Volunteers Needed for Maine Brook Trout Survey ~~ Maine Audobon Society

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Audubon (MA), and the Maine Council Trout Unlimited (METU) are seeking volunteer anglers to survey remote ponds and coastal streams for brook trout this fishing season. Information provided by volunteers will be used to identify previously-undocumented wild brook trout populations across the state.
To learn how you can volunteer, please visit http://maineaudubon.org/wildlife-habitat/brook-trout/.
“Identifying the ponds and coastal streams with wild brook trout will greatly assist IFW in planning our conservation and management strategies over the next several decades,” noted IFW fisheries biologist Merry Gallagher.
Maine has hundreds of remote ponds that have never been surveyed by fisheries biologists nor have any record of past stocking. The project’s focus on both remote ponds and coastal streams offers anglers a chance to explore new areas of the state.
“Volunteers should be enthusiastic about fishing for brook trout, be comfortable in remote settings and have a sense of adventure,” noted Jeff Reardon of Trout Unlimited.
Wild brook trout have declined significantly throughout their eastern range, and today Maine is home to 97% of the intact wild brook trout lake and pond habitat in the eastern United States. Brook trout require clean, cold water and habitat connectivity to survive. Wild brook trout are a nationally significant resource and Maine is considered the last stronghold of these fish.
The Maine Brook Trout Survey Project was launched by project partners and anglers in 2011. To date, 252 active volunteers have successfully surveyed 288 remote Maine ponds. Of those waters, 127 ponds were recommended to MDIFW for a formal survey after brook trout were caught or observed. Based on the fact that these ponds had never been formally surveyed by MDIFW and there are no records of any past stocking, these trout are likely previously unknown populations of native or wild brook trout.
Based on the success of the Pond Survey, the project expanded in 2014 to include coastal stream surveys from Kennebunkport to Cobscook Bay. Brook trout that live in coastal streams may spend part of their lives in saltwater and come back to freshwater to spawn. Currently, little is known about the distribution and life history of sea-run brook trout in Maine, so volunteers are needed to help identify watersheds containing this special and elusive fish.
Volunteer anglers are needed to survey 300+ ponds in northern Maine and coastal streams ranging from Kennebunk to Lubec. Surveys can be completed any time before September 30, 2015. The prime time for coastal stream surveys is mid-April through June, while pond fishing can be productive in both the spring and fall. Project partners will provide maps, data sheets and instructions on how to survey ponds and streams.
For more information about the Brook Trout Survey Project, please visit http://maineaudubon.org/wildlife-habitat/brook-trout/.


http://maineaudubon.org/wildlife-habitat/brook-trout/.