MDIFW Blog
Maine’s Wild Winter
As temperatures drop well below freezing in our Northeast piece of paradise, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologists are heating up with project updates, innovative research, and vital partnerships. From mammals to mayflies, wildlife staff are collecting and analyzing data in a continuous effort to improve and monitor our state’s wildlife populations. Here’s a peek into some of their current work
Surveying Deer Wintering Areas
It’s a cold, calm February morning when I meet Maine Game Warden Jeff Beach at the Norridgewock airport to go over our flight plan for the day. Jeff is one of three game warden pilots for the state. He arrived at the small airport earlier to fuel his Cessna for a day of survey flights. As a game warden pilot, Jeff patrols the state of Maine from the sky, but he also works on a variety of fish and wildlife projects, including stocking fish in remote ponds, eagle nest surveys, and tracking collared bears, deer, lynx and moose. Our flight today will focus on deer surveys.
Fishing Responsibly with Live Baitfish
With an estimated 90% of baitfish sales occurring during winter, it’s important for anglers to be aware of Maine’s live-bait regulations. Because of the importance of our freshwater ecosystems, we walk a fine line trying to prevent the illegal introduction of harmful fish species while allowing anglers to continue Maine’s cultural tradition of using live baitfish where appropriate.
Fisheries Biologists Encourage Anglers to Harvest their Catch
If you have ever been fishing, either open water or ice fishing, it is likely you have heard someone say, “let them go and watch them grow.” While this catch and release message was important several decades ago when we saw more fishing pressure and higher harvest rates by anglers (and may still help some fisheries), other present day fisheries (and in Maine’s case, many fisheries) rely on harvest by anglers to maintain healthy fish populations and to achieve size quality management goals.
How to Dress Warm in the Winter
The key to a fun day of walking, ice fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or wildlife watching in the winter is staying warm and being prepared. Here are a few tips from Maine Game Wardens, biologists, and staff to make sure you (and your children) stay warm and dry this winter.
Gaining Confidence and Making Friends through Shooting Sports
Interview with Hoi Ning Ngai by MDIFW R3 Coordinator Katie Yates After participating in a firearms workshop hosted by MDIFW for the Ladies Adventure Club at the Department’s Summerhaven Shooting Range in Augusta, Hoi Ning Ngai reached out to share her thoughts on the experience.
Winter Wildlife Watching
Here in Maine we have a wonderful tradition of embracing our state’s winter weather with all sorts of outdoor activities. One of the most basic ways to get outdoors is to go for a walk and explore a natural area. Nothing makes a walk through the woods more memorable than getting to see some wild animals. So here are some tips for better wildlife watching.
What are Maine’s fisheries biologists doing on the ice?
When you see the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife patch on the ice, it isn’t always a Maine Game Warden. Fisheries biologists spend the winter collecting important fisheries data by conducting winter creel surveys on the ice.
New 2021 Fishing Regulations for Moosehead Lake
We will be operating under new regulations when the ice fishing season opens on January 1st, 2021 on Moosehead Lake. Recently, the brook trout population in Maine’s largest lake has seen significant improvement with many fish in the three to six-pound range caught both summer and winter. It’s truly been an incredible few years. I don’t think anyone can remember a time when we have seen this many quality/trophy wild brook trout come from one lake in Maine.
Oil Response Training: Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst
Early in October, you may have noticed several Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife vehicles lining route 202 next to Annabessacook Lake while staff deployed canoes and kayaks into the water, paddling against strong winds and chilly temperatures while others assisted from shore. Some passerby’s slowed down to gawk, some even stopped to inquire what happened, concerned of what might be unfolding.
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