2021 Fishing Laws Available Online
Being a responsible user of the Maine outdoors means staying informed of, and complying with, the current laws and rules. It’s easy, just touch or click 2021 Maine Inland Fishing Laws to download the booklet.
New ways to find the special fishing laws
Want to check to see if a waterbody has special fishing laws? Check the Maine IFW website for an easy to use searchable database of special fishing laws. You can search for a specific water body, by town, county, or special fishing code such a FFO (fly fishing only), or “open to open water fishing.”
Or check out the Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT), a map-based online tool to give you a quick and easy way to see which of Maine’s thousands of inland waters have special fishing laws.
Beginner’s Guide to Ice Fishing in Maine
Are you interested in going ice fishing for the first time? Are you getting back into the sport? Check out the new IFW guide to learn about essential gear, how to find a place to go, and what to do. Click or touch here for the new Ice Fishing Guide for Beginners.
Ice Safety:
- Remember to always use extreme caution when venturing onto Maine’s waterways. Accessing lakes and ponds should be avoided unless you can be certain of ice conditions by checking ice thickness.
- Before stepping out, use a chisel or auger to test ice thickness in several places. Remember that ice seldom freezes uniformly and conditions are always changing and can vary from one location to the next. Ice that forms over flowing water and currents, especially near streams, bridges and culverts, can be particularly dangerous.
- Before you head for a day of ice fishing, ALWAYS tell someone where you are going and when you will return.
Free Fishing Days – Bring an aspiring angler
Free fishing days are February 13-14 and June 5-6, 2021. On these days, any person (except those whose license has been suspended or revoked) may fish without a license. All other laws and regulations apply on these days.
