Laws & Rules

Search the Fishing Laws & Rules

Index

• General Fishing Law Seasons and Bag Limits
• General Fishing Laws and Definitions
• Anglers, Do Your Part to Protect our Waters
• Special Fishing Laws
• Fishing License Requirements and Fees
• Baitfish and Smelt Information
• Aquatic Invasive Species
• Fishing with Soft Plastics
• Recreational Angling for Migratory Fish
• International Waters Between Maine & New Brunswick
• Interstate Waters Between Maine & New Hampshire
• Tribal Waters
• Freshwater Fish Safe Eating Guidelines
• Regulating Harvest

How to Find the Fishing Regulations for the Water You Want to Fish

1. General Fishing Laws apply to all inland waters. See General Fishing Law Seasons and Bag Limits and General Fishing Laws.
2. Check if the water you want to fish is listed in the alphabetical Special Fishing Laws.

• If water is listed - Any exceptions to the General Fishing Laws will be designated by text or Special Season or Law Codes.
• If water is not listed - Only General Fishing Laws apply. Unlisted Tribal Waters located in Passamaquoddy or Penobscot Indian Territory are an exception. See Tribal Water Laws.
  

Keep in Mind:

Some waters (tributaries, outlets, connected waters) are not listed individually and may be listed with the main waterbody, or waters with an S-3 code (tributaries closed to taking smelts).

Some waters are collectively listed under one of the following area listings: Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Baxter State Park.

Laws of the Maine Outdoors

Being a responsible user of the Maine outdoors means staying informed of, and complying with, the current laws and rules.

This Fishing Laws and Rules section of the website is a summary of fishing laws (enacted by the legislature), rules (enacted by the Commissioner), and educational information that is published by MDIFW.

Laws within this book: This book includes and summarizes many of the inland fishing laws (enacted by the Legislature) and includes statutory section number. To find all inland fishing laws see: Title 12 Part 13.

Rules within this book: Annual revisions of this book are filed with the Secretary of State and, as a result, the rules contained in this booklet (enacted by the Commissioner) have the force of law as printed. Special Fishing Rules which are applicable to waters managed on an individual basis are listed on the Special Fishing Laws page.

Educational information: This book also includes educational information for anglers.