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Maine => Ice Fishing Maine => Topic started by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 05:47 PM

Title: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 05:47 PM: I was fishing down by the station today and started talking to a couple other fishermen(caught nothing, by the way). I mentioned that I had thought about putting a minnow trap in to try and catch some bait. He told me that if I get caught taking smelt from Sebago that I would get a big fine. I am not looking to catch smelt in particular...I was just hoping to save myself a little money. Anybody know the law pertaining to this matter? Thanks.
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: rude the dude on Feb 11, 2010, 05:50 PM: Used to be 8)
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 05:56 PM: So I can't attempt to catch bait at all there?
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: SebagoSlayer on Feb 11, 2010, 06:01 PM: I wouldnt try it just because someone might get the wrong idea and report it.
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: fishingsurveyor on Feb 11, 2010, 06:05 PM: I belive the law say S1 closed to taking smelts :'(
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: SebagoSlayer on Feb 11, 2010, 06:06 PM: Quote from: fishingsurveyor on Feb 11, 2010, 06:05 PM
I belive the law say S1 closed to taking smelts :'(

I didnt think so but wasnt 100% I saw tons of smelt around the shore on tuesday prolly 1,000's
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 06:07 PM: Thanks...I'm heading to Moosehead at the end of the month for a week. Anyone know the rules on trapping smelt up there?
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: SebagoSlayer on Feb 11, 2010, 06:10 PM: Trapping or jigging? I know theres a bait shop near the rockwood motel who sells them if i remember correctly.
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 06:17 PM: Yep...fishing surveyor is right. Found it in the law book. I have one of the steel mesh minnow traps. I have had good luck using dog food as bait in the warmer months. I figured that if I was going to be up there for a whole week, I could save some money by catching a few myself.
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: MG39 on Feb 11, 2010, 06:26 PM: Quote from: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 06:17 PM
Yep...fishing surveyor is right. Found it in the law book. I have one of the steel mesh minnow traps. I have had good luck using dog food as bait in the warmer months. I figured that if I was going to be up there for a whole week, I could save some money by catching a few myself.

Let me know when you catch a smelt in a bait trap, it will be a first for me. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: Snowfun on Feb 11, 2010, 06:54 PM: Quote from: MG39 on Feb 11, 2010, 06:26 PM
Let me know when you catch a smelt in a bait trap, it will be a first for me. ;D ;D
Wouldn't that be nice. It would save a ton of work. ;D
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 07:02 PM: I wasn't specifically targeting smelt...I just didn't want to get in trouble if a warden saw my trap in the water.
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: mtaeagles15 on Feb 11, 2010, 07:30 PM: Quote from: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 07:02 PM
I wasn't specifically targeting smelt...I just didn't want to get in trouble if a warden saw my trap in the water.

Don't worry about it smelt don't go any where near bait traps. You will never catch one in it.
Title: Re: Catching smelt in Sebago...is it legal?
Post by: shoota69 on Feb 11, 2010, 07:33 PM: Quote from: mtaeagles15 on Feb 11, 2010, 07:30 PM
Don't worry about it smelt don't go any where near bait traps. You will never catch one in it.

Good to know...thanks!