The state has adopted a recreational fishing rule that will limit the use of live fish as bait in much of the northern management zone in order to protect wild trout waters, including tributaries and outlets of heritage ponds.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife’s Advisory Council approved the rule by a unanimous vote of 10-0 on Wednesday.

The new regulation would prohibit the use of live fish as bait in most of northern Maine’s lakes and ponds, which represent the majority of the wild brook trout waters in the Northeast. The use of live fish has been allowed in most of northern Maine for generations. In some waters, the practice will continue under a special regulation.

read full story: Portland Press Herald