MDIFW Blog
Cold Winters and Hot Togue Fishing on Sebago Lake
By Assistant Regional Fisheries Biologist Nick Kalejs Thanks to a frigid start to the ice fishing season, many of Maine’s lakes have had the chance to accumulate a solid base of ice. While ice can never be considered completely safe without careful consideration, especially given changing ice conditions due to recent warm weather, many anglers have found that this season has provided plenty of opportunity to find thick ice and get in some quality fishing time.
Sarah's Journey to Becoming a Regional Wildlife Biologist at MDIFW
By Regional Wildlife Biologist, Sarah Boyden Quite often, I get asked how I became a wildlife biologist. As a kid, on a dairy farm in central Maine, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I liked to be outside and I wanted to do something with animals but, beyond that, I had no plans.
Winter Is Baitfish Dealer Inspection Time
[caption id="attachment_2702" align="alignright" width="396"] Bio Specialist Kevin Gallant conducts a Baitfish Dealer Inspection.[/caption] By Merry Gallagher, Native Fish Conservation Biologist Did you know that IFW manages some fisheries for commercial harvest? Most anglers are certainly aware that the live fish that they may use as bait are often wild caught from Maine waters by either
That’s Not Normal, Is It?
By Sarah Spencer, MDIFW Wildlife Biologist All Photos Courtesy of Donna Melanson If you’ve been a regular reader of the MDIFW Blog, you may recall a post from Region C Wildlife Biologist Henry Jones about growths called fibromas which are observed on a variety of wildlife.
Information Gathered At Fishways, Creel Surveys, and Trapnetting Lead To Regulation Changes On Allagash Waters
By IFW Fisheries Biologist Derrick Cote [caption id="attachment_1760" align="alignright" width="225"] A fish tote full of fallfish, suckers and brook trout.[/caption] Managing a wild brook trout fishery can present its challenges.
Richard Dilley, Just One Of Many Volunteers Who Help The Department Conserve and Enhance Maine's Natural Resources
[caption id="attachment_2667" align="alignright" width="382"] Richard Dilley has volunteered for over 18 years, helping steward MDIFW lands and helping out on countless other projects for the department.[/caption] It takes a lot of good people working together to accomplish the variety of work programs undertaken by MDIFW.
MDIFW Fisheries Staff Work With Partners To Enhance Smelt Spawning Runs
By MDIFW Fisheries Biologist Nels Kramer As a follow-up to the excellent smelt article submitted by Kevin Dunham for the June blog, I would like to provide some additional information regarding the work that has been undertaken in the Penobscot Fisheries Region to address smelt spawning habitat issues. Populations of smelt have been in decline in several lakes throughout the region, primarily because of lack of access to their spawning habitat.
Chickadee Checkoff helps Piping Plovers Enjoy Another Excellent Summer on Maine Beaches
[caption id="attachment_2655" align="alignright" width="499"] A piping plover chick blends well into its surroundings.
An Update On The Thissell Pond Reclamation
By Regional Fisheries Biologist Tim Obrey In 2012 and 2013, the Department performed the first chemical reclamations in the Moosehead Lake Region since 1984 when Sawyer Pond was reclaimed after white perch were illegally introduced. A reclamation is usually the last option, the nuclear option, on the list of fisheries management techniques. We devote our careers to protecting and enhancing fisheries and aquatic habitat, so taking things to this level is often the last thing we want to do.
What Is Forest Succession?
By Lands Management Biologist Eric Hoar Forest succession is the process where vegetation establishes and progresses over a time. It frequently occurs following a disturbance whether it be natural such as a wind or fire event, or caused by people, such as a timber harvest. Regardless of cause, forest succession typically begins a period of renewal and progresses through a series of stages. Following a significant event where large openings occur, grasses may initially populate the site, followed by shrub species and, over a period of time, trees will begin to establish. T
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