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White fish disappeared from Sebago Because of acid fallout and access of extra Phosphorus as part of the lowering of PH and no other reason. after Sebago's lost a year or so later Moosehead Lake lost them a year or so later Caribou and Chesuncook lost all of their White fish. But to bring back proper PH it would be a costly process everyone choses to blame other reasons.
You sound just like a state official, Smelts were in Sebago where they were allowed to spring dip them but they were declining in numbers as were the white fish they both need a high PH to be healthy .Togue and Salmon and white fish all live together in the great lakes together and many other lakes that are healthy .
What about lakes that have declining rainbow smelt populations as well as the whitefish. Then what is the leading factor. I have noticed considerable decline in smelt at places my dad took me as a boy. I have taken my son and we would go every night until they are running then when they come in, it's like they come into the stream 1 or 2 at a time. We might get a dozen if we stay all night. Not like when I was a kid. It's fishing pressure and environment contamination. From humans period.
These are all goog facts. Why has the state closed smelt dipping?