MISSION STATEMENT

PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND RESTORE wild NATIVE FISH POPULATIONS THROUGH STEWARDSHIP OF THE FISH AND THEIR HABITATS


maine chapter of nfc is Dedicated to THE memory of:

The late Clinton “Bill” Townsend of Canaan, Maine, Maine's foremost “fish conservationist.” Few if any have done as much for Maine’s rivers and wild native fish as Bill. And he did it quietly and without fanfare, teaching anyone who was paying attention that getting things done was more important than getting credit for doing so. No one stood taller, no one fought longer or harder, and no one accomplished more. Bill's departure from this world has left a void that will not soon, if ever, be filled. Thanks for all you did Mr. Townsend...


MAINE native fishes

Maine is home to five native charr and salmon: Brook trout, lake trout, Arctic charr, landlocked salmon, and Atlantic salmon. Numerous other native fish can be found in Maine as well, including cusk, lake whitefish, smelt, alewife, shad, striped bass, sturgeon, and American eel. Maine is the last state with an active restoration program for federally listed and critically endangered Atlantic salmon. Landlocked salmon, Salmo sebago, Maine’s state fish, are native to just four lake systems: Sebago, Sebec, Green, and West Grand. Maine is also home to the last wild native Arctic charr, formerly known as blueback tout and Sunapee trout, in the contiguous United States. Maine is the last stronghold for wild native lake- and pond-dwelling, large river, and sea-run brook trout, with over 90% of the remaining populations. To say Maine is critically important to the survival of many of the nation’s wild native fish would be fair.



Status, Threats, and Conservation

Like most states, Maine’s native fishes face many threats and challenges including development, pollution, habitat degradation, climate change, angler exploitation, state-sponsored stocking, and especially, nonnative invasive fish introductions. Currently, Maine is experiencing what could be referred to as an invasive fish epidemic. Nonnative muskellunge have all but eliminated native brook from the St. John River, nonnative Pike can now be found in Sebago Lake and throughout the Belgrade Lakes, and invasive smallmouth bass have established self-sustaining populations throughout the Kennebec, Dead, Rapid, Penobscot, and Dennys Rivers, as well as many other lakes and rivers. Three of the twelve remaining native arctic charr waters in Maine have suffered invasive smelt introductions in recent years, one of which also suffered a nonnative lake trout introduction. Two of these waters were reclaimed, and one is likely lost. All of Maine’s historic landlocked salmon waters have been stocked with landlocked salmon, and all are now home to a number of nonnative fish species. Atlantic salmon are classified as “Endangered” under the United States Endangered Species Act, and they hang by a thread propped up almost solely through stocking. Unfortunately, attempts to get the state to list them have failed. Redfin pickerel are classified as “Endangered” under Maine’s Endangered Species Act (MESA). Swamp Darter are classified as “Threatened” under MESA. Eight fish are classified as “Species of Special Concern” under MESA, including sea-run brook trout and Arctic charr. Shortnose sturgeon are listed as “Endangered” under Maine’s Marine Endangered Species Act (ESA.) At roughly 585 waters, Maine’s State Heritage Fish law is the most widely applied wild trout program in the nation. While it prohibits stocking and the use of live fish as bait, it lacks consistent and protective tackle, bag, and length limit regulations. A change enacted in 2020 prohibits the use of live fish as bait by rule, not exception, in the critically important North Zone.


MAINE nfc board

Below is our Maine Board of Directors and Officers.  This dedicated group of volunteers are our "boots on the ground" in Maine, home to several rare native fish including federally endangered Atlantic salmon, the last Arctic charr in the contiguous United States, and roughly 90% or more of the remaining wild native pond-dwelling and sea-run brook trout.    


MAINE nfc ADvisory CounCil

Below is our Maine Advisory Council.  This group of volunteers represents a veritable all-star team of subject matter expertise and hands-on experience.  They work with the Maine board to identify areas in need of attention, while providing technical assistance.       


in memory of


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