BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 28, 2020
Brook trout are one of Maine’s signature wildlife species, along with moose, loons and lobsters. Brookies are part of the interior Maine brand, and their presence is an indication of a relatively healthy environment. With fewer than 300 never-stocked brook trout lakes and ponds left in the state, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and others went to the Maine legislature in 2005 to gain some much needed protections. This resulted in the State Heritage Fish law. Unfortunately, it has some of the weakest, and most inconsistent, protections. It’s time for some consistent and meaningful regulations on all our State Heritage Fish waters. ~ Bob Mallard, Native Fish Coalition