Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Summer 1976 by Maine State Library

MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE SUMMER 1976

75 cents

MAINE Governor James B. Longley

FISH AND \VILDLIFE

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner

Maynard F. Marsh

J. William Peppard

Kenneth H. Anderson Direct?r, Planning and Co-ordinatwn Charles S. Allen

Chief Wa1·den

Lyndon H. Bond

Chief, Fishery Division

The Life of the Sunapee

Bnsiness Manager

Ecologogriph

Chief, Wildlife Division Directo,·, lnfo1·mation and Education

Get Yourself in Shape

William L. Herman

18 Minutes in June

L eonard L ee Rue II I

Where Do You Live?

Ralph C. Will

Ralph C. Will Robert W. Boettger

Vol. 18, No. 3

Summer, 1976

Supt. of Hatcheries

(Vacant at press time)

William C. Mincher

STATE OF MAINE

De7n1ty Co1n1nissioner

Clayton G. Grant

Chief, Engineering Division

Richard B. Parks

Chief, Realty Division

Lorenzo J. Gaudreau

Director, Sa/ ety and Snowmobile Registration

Kid-Bits 10

Robert H. Johnson

Dfrecto1·, Wate1·craft Registmtion and Safety

Loading Your Boat 12

Chief Biologist, Atlantic Salmon Commission

Management Units 13

Alfred L. Meister

Advisory Council Dr. Alonzo H. Garcelon, Chair1nan Augusta, Maine Glenn H. Manuel Littleton

Asa 0. Holmes Belfast

Robert D. Steele Scarborough

Burleigh Richards, Jr. Buxton

Ralph L. Noel Auburn

Rodney W. Ross B1·ownville

Maine Fish and Wildlife is published quarterly by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State St., Augusta, Maine 04333, under appropriation 4550. No advertising accepted. William C. Mincher, Editor W. Thomas Shoener, Managing 'Editor Thomas J. Chamberlain, Features Editor William W. Cross, Photo Editor Thomas L. Carbone, Photographer

© Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1976. Written permission must be secured from the Department before reproducing any part of this copyrighted material. Subscription rates: $2.50 for one year, $3.50 for two years, $4. 75 for three years. No stamps, please. Second class postage paid at Augusta, Maine 04330.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

Frederick W. K ircheis

Thomas J. Chamberlain

Letters, Notes, Comment 16 Making a Good Thing Better 19 The "Second Season" 20

Tom Sho ener

Wildlife Management in Action 21

Wildlife Management Institute

Acid Rain 22

Fishes of Maine 23

Dr. W. Harry Everhart

THE COVERS Front: Photo Editor Bill Cross made this family portrait of two adult bald eagles and their single off spring - an appropriate cover subject during the Bicentennial year. Inside Front: You should be able to find two duck nest boxes pretty easily in this reflection shot of a beaver flowage. Four other boxes, which Photographer Tom Carbone claims are there, will take a lot more searching. Inside Back: Michelle Carbone, daughter of Photograpner Tom, demonstrates the proper way to use a buoyant cushion life saving device - held against the chest with clasped hands, with arms through the straps. To assure that the wearer's face remains out of the water, buoyant cushions should never be worn on the back like a knapsack. Back: These three young fellows were observing an important rite of summer in a brook near Patten when Photographer Tom Carbone happened by.

in late October, the submerged bar off Kimball Point in Floods Pond, north of Ellsworth, becomes alive with masses of fish. The brightly colored Sunapee trout (Salvelinus alpinus) have returned to their point of origin for the purpose of perpetuating the species. The water is cold, about 50 Â°F, and the sun has been down for about half an hour. The fish are particular about the spot where they have come to deposit their eggs. The bottom off Kimball Point ranges from six inches to three feet in depth. It gently slopes into deeper water and is composed of a thick layer of rocks ranging from baseball to watermelon size with a few very large

N A COLD WINDY EVENING

The Life of the

SUNAPEE By Frederick W. Kircheis Fishery Research Biologist boulders mixed in. The fish ignore nearby areas with sandy or mud bottoms. As more and more fish come in from the depths of the pond, they form little groups of activity Several males gather around each female as she prepares to deposit her eggs. When she is ready, the female lowers herself into a crevice between the rocks and in a writhing motion releases her yellow eggs, as many as 1,200 of them for each pound of her weight. In the same instant that the female releases her eggs, ,the attending four to seven males release their sperm in a milky cloud around her. The water, set in motion by wave action, readily mixes the eggs and sperm as the eggs, negatively buoyant, settle deep within the spaces between the rocks. This bustle of activity may last well into the night and may go on for several evenings until all of the sexually mature females have deposited their eggs. During the daylight hours, Kimball Point is devoid of Sunapee trout. The fish spend these hours out in the deeper parts of the lake, but as the sun goes 1

Sunapee trout egg.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

down, the fish begin to move. The males are on the spawning ground for most of the season (midOctober through late November) and probably spawn with more than one female. The female Sunapee trout sometimes arrive on the spawning ground weeks before they are actually ready to spawn; and every evening will find some fish movement, if not actual spawning, on Kimball Point.

the fish leave the area; and A the eggs remainallwhere they have settled, unFTER SPAWNING,

guarded, to develop at a rate determined by the water temperature. Hatchery tests have shown that the eggs "eye-up" ( develop to the stage at which the eyes of the fish are first visible) in about 69 days at temperatures just above freezing. After about 98125 days at the same temperatures, the eggs hatch. The newly hatched "sac-fry" are about 3A "-1" long, and each has a large yolk sac attached to its underside. This yolk sac provides nourishment for the young fish so that it can grow and adjust to its environment without the necessity of finding food. The rate at which the sac-fry use up their stored supply of food depends, again, on the water temperature. The warmer the water, the more quickly the fish grows and uses up the food stored in the yolk sac. Generally, in water temperatures just ab'Jve freezing, it will take about two or three weeks for the yolk sac to be absorbed. At this point the young fry become more active, moving about among the rocks on the bottom and searching out bits of food. After they gain ability and confidence, the fry move out into the deeper parts of the lake. Monthold Sunapee trout have been netted off Kimball Point in water as deep as 60 feet. Feeding on tiny animals called zooplankton, these fish grow at a

very rapid rate. The fish begin to feed around the first to the middle of May and reach a length of 3 to 4 inches by the end of August. There is some evidence that young Sunapees remain in small schools and travel and feed together for some time. During the summer months, when the surface temperature of Floods Pond exceeds 50Â°F, Sunapee trout remain in the deeper portions of the lake. As surface waters become cooler in the fall, the fish tend to become distributed throughout the lake; and sexually mature fish prepare to spawn again. Immature individuals continue feeding but over a much larger area of the lake. Growth, however, slows at this time because of the lower water temperatures. Male Sunapee trout do not reach sexual maturity until the fall of their second or third year; the f emales become mature in their third or fourth year. Spawning is a very taxing proposition, especially for the females; and some fish only spawn every other year, using alternate years to add growth and to develop more eggs. As the Sunapees grow larger, their diet changes. Instead of feeding almost exclusively on zooplankton as they did when they were small, they begin to eat bottom-dwelling insects like the larvae of some types of flies. From these Diptera larvae, as they are called, the growing Sunapees graduate to feed on larger organisms, especially small fish, but sometimes including large insects and snails. The most abundant forage fish in Floods Pond is the smelt which, fortunately for the 5- to 6-inch Sunapees, never grow much larger than 4 inches in Floods Pond. After the Sunapees begin to feed on smelt, they grow at a much faster rate; and by the time they are two years old, most of them are 8" long. In Floods Pond, the largest Sunapee trout are about 24" and weigh approximately 3 pounds. Most fish are

Sunapee fry after absorbing yolk sac ..

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

14" - 16" long and weigh 1 to 11,4 pounds. Males are smaller than females and almost never exceed 12" in length.

the females do not spawn until their fourth year and that there are two years between each spawning, then some of these fish may be 12 years old. Closely related Arctic charr in Canada have been known to reach 24 years of age, and it is quite possible that Sunapee trout may live to an age of 12 years.

and summer, Sunapee trout are called "white" trout or "silver" trout by those anglers that fish for them. This is due to the pale white or silver color of the fish. As the spawning season approaches, the fish change into very beautiful specimens of red and orange hues, quite fitting for a fish named aureolus by the first scientists who studied them. The sexually mature males and females both become highly colored, and telling the difference between the sexes is not easy by color alone. Shape, however, does lend a clue as to the differences between the sexes. The male never does develop the hooked jaw, or kipe, that salmon do, but he does become very sleek and lean while the females fill out with eggs and are quite robust and fat. The maximum age of Sunapee trout is not known, but fish have been aged up to seven years, and some mature female fish have been captured as many as four times on the spawning run. If it is true that URING THE SPRING

is the water supply of the City of Bangor and is off limits to use by the general public, the life cycle of the Sunapee trout continues year after year largely unobserved. Only the prying eyes of fishery biologists interrupt and disturb the beautiful fish during their courtship. • INCE FLOODS POND

SUGGESTED REFERENCES Everhart, W. Harry, et. al. 1966. Fishes of Maine. 3rd edition. Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Game, Augusta, Maine, p. 49. Havey, Keith A. 1969. "The Sunapee: Maine's Rarest Trout." Maine Fish and Game. Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Game. Reprint No. B-208. Kircheis Frederick W. 1976. "Radio Equipped Sunapees." Maine Fish and Wildlife. Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Reprint No. B-380.

ecologogriphs ..... ........ ... ..... .. .. .. ...... ... .... ... ..... ... ..test your outdoor knowledge ACROSS 1. 5. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 22. 24. 26. 27. 28. 29. 31. 32. 34. 36. 37. 38. 40. 41. 44. 47. 48. 51. 54.

A far-north salmonid: Arctic - - - · To search for food. The snowshoe rabbit: varying - - · Tusks. Direction (abbrev.). The jaguarundi. Compass point. To point a gun. Compass point. A plantation of trees. A jackdaw. Backward undercurrent: under_ _ _ Affirmative. The hooknose of silver salmon. Chopping tool. Our largest heron having yellow bill : common _ __ Skunk's I. D. Long-necked, long-legged wading bird. A small, stemless, aquatic plant of mustard family. The organ of smell. Genus of plants or animals (suffix) . Steamship (abbrev.). Sub-surface artificial fly. To light. The Tree Planter State (abbrev.). A perennial herb of the lily family. Micro-organisms found in pond scum, etc. Found at the end of a stem of a tree. Inlet.

55. 56. 57. 58. 60. 61.

39. 42. 43. 45. 46.

What annual rings of a tree denote. Perform. Three-toed sloth of S. A. Consuming. A trawl line : line. Large stream (abbrev.).

49. 50. 52.

DOWN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 14. 20. 21. 22. 23. 25. 27. 29. 30. 33. 35.

Animal resembling the leopard. Grass cut and dried for fodder. Bow and _ __ To rise upon its hind legs, as a horse. One of our rarest furbearers. Open Valley (abbrev.). An ocean or lion may produce this noise. Dry. A gymnasium. Compass point. Large, American moth with eyelike spots on its wings. The only upright swimming fish. A young swan. On the ocean. A large, extinct bird. Plants or herbs. Bovine quadrupeds. Female elephant. Total development of vegetation thru a geological period (ecol.). Small shoots or branchlets of a tree. A boat propelled by oars. A narrow lane or path.

53. 56. 59.

A device for catching birds, etc. An Eskimo shelter. A digit on the foot. Blood (comb. form). A bordering ditch or watercourse (ecol.). To forbid; prohibit, such as camping, etc. Environmental Engineer (abbrev.). Brittle substance of melted lava, sand, etc. Cone-bearing evergreen tree. Doctor (abbrev.). Number of pups born to the fur seal (Rom. Num.).

ANSWER ON PAGE 17

@ Doug Jackson 197b

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

GET YOURSELF IN SHAPE By William L. Herman Professor of Physical Education Slippery Rock (Pa.) State College that this hunting season will be the last for some individuals who take to the woods. Some of them will have to be carried outvictims of heart attack. It happens every year. Many other hunters will subject their hearts to dangerously stressful situations that are unhealthy, foolish, and unnecessary. Most of us take much better care of our hunting equipment than we do of our bodies. We all know of hunters who sit behind a desk all year long and engage in little or no strenuous physical activity until deer season opens. The combination of physical work and excitement that takes place during big-game hunting subjects the unconditioned heart to a burden that could be (and in some cases is) fatal. The author maintains that there is no reason for hunters to take such a risk. They should make an effort to keep themselves in good condition during the entire year. This is the best insurance against heart attack due to the unaccustomed physical activity that occurs during hunting season. If you are one of the majority who does not maintain a satisfactory level of physical fitness during the entire year, it is recommended that you get yourself in shape before hunting season begins. Your life could depend upon it. First, it is wise to have a physical examination to ascertain your health status. Upon approval of your doctor to engage in a shape-up program, you should

T IS A SAD FACT

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

begin the project on a gradual basis. Do not attempt to accomplish a miracle! Remember, you are interested in a healthy heart for hunting; you are not training for the marathon! An individual who has lived a sedentary life can not and should not strive to become physically fit for hunting in a few short days. Approximately 10 minutes per day of sustained strenuous physical activity is sufficient at the start. Strenuous physical activity is defined as activity that causes the heart to beat at a rate faster than the normal resting rate. Some of the best activities to use in your shape-up program include bicycling, hiking, jogging, swimming, tennis, splitting wood, and other physical activities that get your heart rate up for a period of time. If you do not have a place to do these activities, you can always run in place (stationary running) in the bedroom, basement, or garage. After several weeks of conditioning, you should gradually increase the amount of time for exercising (sustained strenuous physical activity) to approximately 20 minutes per day. There is little need for most hunters to increase the amount of time beyond this in future weeks. A sportsman cannot make better use of his time and effort than in getting and keeping himself in shape. The gamble he takes by not doing so is one not worth the risk. The stakes are too high. Get â&#x20AC;˘ yourself in shape! Hunt again next year! 5

At only 18 minutes of age, the fawn stands on its own four uncertain legs. These have been a busy 18 minutes.

13:oo Instinct the next and :mother d. Inin t step in th ' 1ctate u es of lite. ese first

Photos ÂŠ by Leo na r d Lee R ue III

4:00

The newborn, still resting from the toil of birth.

Photographs by Leonard Lee Rue III _10:00 The fawn gatherÂˇ 'restmg and mg strength warmthÂˇii: this . new and environment.

12:00 Contented, and taking a first real look at the world, while mother stays near.

- - .. --

The Residency Dilemma

WHERE

YOU

LIVE? /

By Ralph C. Will Busines

Manager

LAWS requiring licenses for hunting and fishing in Maine distinguish between residents and nonresidents to determine the fees to be charged. They further define "residents" to mean "domiciliaries" of Maine. Considerable confusion and misunderstanding is occurring among members of the general public over the qualifications of a domiciliary. Three basic legal principles have been clearly confirmed by the courts with regard to the concept of domicile: The first is that any United States citizen must be a legal domiciliary of a state or United States possession. The second is that while a United States citizen may have more than one place of residence, he may have only one domicile; there is no legally recognized circumstance in which a United States

AINE

citizen may have more than one place of domicile. Finally, the courts have defined "domicile" to consist of two elements : residence in fact and an intention to remain indefinitely. With these basic legal principles in mind, let us now delve into the questions of domicile within the State of Maine. A domiciliary of Maine must reside within the state, or if he does not reside full time, he must have a place to return to in the state. He must clearly show that he intends to maintain his domicile by meeting Maine statutory requirements and also intends at some time to return to the state to reside. There have been court decisions confirming that a person living in two states is a domiciliary of the state in which he physically resides for more than six months of the year; however, a person who has clearly established and maintained residency within the

state, has a place to return to, and indicates intent to return, could be physically in Maine for as little as a few days each year and still be a domiciliary. In such a situation, a person not only must have a place to return to, which may be his own property, a parent's home, or a relative's home; but also, and equally important, he must show intent to maintain his domicile by complying with Maine statutes. This would include maintaining voter registration, filing a State of Maine income tax return as a resident; and it would also preclude taking any action in another state which could be construed as a positive action to establish domicile there. Filing Maine income tax as a resident includes reporting all income, regardless of where derived, and would include all earnings reportable on a federal income tax return, with some minor exceptions.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

n general, a person may register to vote within the state immediately when entering, but this alone does not make him a domiciliary of the State of Maine; it only establishes his eligibility to vote. A person entering from another state must comply with Maine statutes fully; thus, if a person was registered to vote out of state, he must register to vote within the State of Maine in order to negate his out of state registration. If a person has a driver's license, he must show intent to comply with Maine statutes by applying for a Maine driver's license. If a person owns one or more automobiles in Maine, he must show intent to comply with Maine statutes by excising and registering those motor vehicles in Maine, in the town in whichÂˇ he intends to reside.

rom the town clerk's point of view, eligibility to purchase any resident license requires that the above criteria be met. In addition, under Maine statutes, any applicant for a fishing or hunting license who has moved to Maine must have resided in the state during the three months next prior to the date an application is filed for the resident license. In addition, any person establishing a Maine residency must be prepared to file a State of Maine income tax return as a resident, as previously discussed. Maine statl1tes provide that the burden of proof is upon the applicant requesting a resident license. Because town clerks are very busy and residency is complicated, the Fish and Wildlife Department has adapted .a useful

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

form to assist the public in determining domicile. This is the Statement of Domicile which all resident license agents received with their 1976 licenses. The Statement of Domicile is intended to assist an applicant in providing the basic information necessary to determine domicile and eligibility for a resident license. Any town clerk should require a form to be filled out by any applicant if there is a question of that person's domicile. If an applicant refuses to fill out the statement or does not fill it out completely, the clerk should refuse to sell him a resident license. The following factors are used in determining residency in Maine: - If the person drives in Maine, his or her license must be a Maine license, or proof of application for a Maine license must be submitted. - If the person owns a car which is driven in Maine, it must be registered and excised in Maine. - If the person is registered to vote, the registration must be in a Maine voting precinct. -A husband and/ or wife and minor children must have the same place of domicile. For instance, a man working in Maine is not eligible to be a Maine resident if his wife and family are living in another state - unless husband and wife are legally separated. - If the person files a federal income tax return, he or she must also (with minor exceptions) be prepared to file a State of Maine income tax return, covering all income from all sources. -The person must be able to prove to the license agent's satisfaction that he or she has lived in Maine continuously, with his or her immediate family, for three months before applying for the license. This must be done after the person has complied with any of the above conditions which are applicable.

Summer 197 6

If a clerk questions any answers on the statement or knows of any facts which may affect the domicile of the applicant, the clerk should not sell a resident license and should send the statement to Augusta for a decision. If a clerk, after selling a resident license, becomes aware of facts which might affect eligibility for a resident license, this information should be sent to Augusta. An investigation will be made, and the clerk will be informed of the applicant's domicile status. The burden of proof is on the applicant, and filing a Statement of Domicile is not proof unless the clerk is willing to accept it. For example, an indigent person living with a friend, without a car or driver's license, and not registered to vote is a difficult case to determine. After the applicant completes a Statement of Domicile, the clerk may reasonably request that he supply two or three letters from residents of that particular town in Maine with whom the clerk may check to verify that the applicant has lived in Maine continuously for three months or more.

e urge our license agents to

W remember that a degree of understanding is helpful when dealing with the public on the domicile question. To the applicant, it is confusing, and difficult to understand. The agent should treat applicants with respect, but no agent has an obligation to sell a license to a person who is intoxicated, abusive, or belligerent. And finally, the most important factor in dealing with residency and the public is the agent's experience, dedication, and good judgment. â&#x20AC;˘ 9

MISTAKES THAT CAN DRO~N YOU!!

with boating and swimming high on the list of recreational activities. And most of us who spend time in water recreation are safe, sensible people who observe the safety rules and avoid making mistakes. Here are 10 mistakes people make when boating and swimming - any of them can, and have, caused drownings, and they all should be carefully avoided! UMMER IS HERE,

1. Not learning how to swim. Many people believe that they aren't going to fall overboard, or go out where the water is over their heads. But what if, by accident, this happens to you? Your chances are much, much better if you swim - even beginners have saved their own lives. 2. Swimming in unsupervised or unsafe places. In order to "beat the crowds," people frequently go swimming where they can be alone, "without the lifeguard bothering me 10

all the time." They don't stop to think that beaches are crowded because they are safe, supervised places to swim. 3. Fighting undertows, tides, or currents. If you seem to feel that you are stronger than these forces, forget it. Instead of wasting your strength fighting against the pull of the water, let it work for you by swimming across it at an angle, or simply floating with the current and conserving your strength until you are in a position to move only a short distance to safety. 4. Swimming right after eating, or when overheated. These are sure ways of getting into trouble, even though many people will tell you, "I've done that many times and never had a problem." The fact is, cold water can cause a full stomach to cramp badly, and the rapid temperature change when an overheated body plunges in can cause even more serious reactions. Wait a while - the summer's long enough. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

5. Scuba diving without a flag, and alone. We are not designed to stay underwater for long periods of time. It is unnatural, and many people have odd reactions to this strange environment. Take a buddy along when you go skin diving, and keep checking on one another. And remember - if you don't tell the boaters up above .where you are, with a flag or other suitable marker, they will never know, and can't be blamed for running you down. 6. Standing up in your boat. Even though almost 25 per cent of boating deaths are caused by standing up in the vessel, people frequently think that it's all right to do so, as long as you're careful. You can't do it, and still be careful enough! 7. Not staying with an overturned boat. This is also a very common mistake people make - and a very dangerous one. Whether it's because they feel like a coward, or whether they really think they can just swim easily as far as they have to to reach the shore, or whether they think the boat will sink, anyway -many people have drowned because they left the boat and tried it on their own. 8. Not bothering to take along safety de-

vices. No matter what some people think, life jackets are not for sissies, they're for safety. If you don't have one on, at least have it handy. And just because you're surrounded by water, don't assume that you're ready to put out any fire - take along a fire extinguisher every time you go out in your boat. 9. Not learning the boating laws. Don't assume that "the other fellow" knows the laws - he may be thinking the same thing. And take charts of the waters along with you visibility can go from unlimited to nothing very fas~ and rocks and other obstructions have a way of looking alike after a while. 10. Driving your boat recklessly. How often have you seen small boats with motors too large for them, loaded with people, and loaded off-balance? It happens frequently, and these people are asking for trouble. Speed is not the answer to boating fun-living to have fun again is! Well, there you are. The more of these mistakes you make, the surer you are to have an accident. But, if you're like most of us, having an accident is the last thing you want to do. So remember- SAFE BOATING IS NO ACCIDENT!

During this bi-centennial year, we all are hearing more and more about this great country of ours. But how much do you know about the State of Maine? Here's a chance to find out! ACROSS 2 Popular Maine game fish 4 Maine state motto (Latin for "I Lead") 5 Maine state fish - second word (see 12 Across) 7 Maine state tree - first word (see 3 Down) 10 Maine's largest county (4,209,053 acres) 11 Maine state bird 12 Maine state fish - first word (see 5 Across)

DOWN 1 Animal on Maine state seal 3 Maine state tree - second word (see 7 Across) 4 Accomplish; act 6 Maine's largest lake (117 square miles) 8 Maine's largest freshwater fish 9 Maine's highest mountain (5,267 feet) Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

3 4

6 7

9 10

Answer on pace 17

A few people moving about in a small boat have a tremendous effect on the boat's stability. Here are a few things to remember: 1. Distribute the load evenly. 2. Keep the load low. 3. Don't stand up in a small boat. 4. Don't overload.

Safety Afloat Rests On

LOADING YOUR BOAT

....

"'0o:1

rn ....

;:i 0

i ::, 0

And Common Sense Is The Rule

WHAD' YA

NEAN

of seats in a boat is not an indication of the number of persons it can safely carry. Many of the boat's characteristics determine its safe load in persons: the hull volume and dimensions, material the boat is made of, weight of the engine, for example. If it is an outboard hull, whether there is an effective engine well inboard of the transom notch where the engine is mounted is of importance. Methods for determining safe loading capacity have been developed by the boating industry and the U. S. Coast Guard. Using these standards, mote and more manufacturers are displaying a plate on their boats showing recommended weight capacity. Usually, this appears in number of persons as well as the number of pounds for persons, motor, fuel, and gear. But these are only recommended values for fair weather conditions. They do not relieve the operator of the responsibility for exercising individual judgment. Where boats do not exhibit a recommended weight capacity, the boatman must take such additional precautions as are required by the particular boat and conditions to be encountered. Place the passengers toward the centerline of the boat, and evenly distribute them so the boat will be trimmed slightly down by the stern. It is dangerous for passengers to change places or move about in a small boat clipping along at a fair speed. So if it becomes necessary for such movement, stop or slow the boat before beginning any changes in position. Persons moving about in a small boat must keep low and near the boat's centerline. 12

HE NUMBER

UNSAFt 'I

THlS 50.\~ BRAND NEW!

In the absence of capacity plates, there is a double check, which if properly used, will help prevent overloading. L XB

- - = ... . . . . . . . . . . (number of persons)

L B

= Overall Length = Maximum Width

(Both dimensions in feet and tenths of feet)

The result, taken to the nearest whole number, gives the number of persons that can be put aboard without crowding in good weather conditions. This readily calculated expression gives quite reasonable results for a wide variety of boat types. Second, one must also check the weight carrying capacity to be certain the boat is adequate for that number of persons, taking into account their actual weight as well as the weight of the engine, fuel, and equipment. The weight carrying capacity of a small boat having a conventional hull can be checked by determining the allowable weight in pounds from the expression: 7.5 X L X B X De

== ==

== . . . . . . . . . . . .

(pounds for persons, engine, fuel, and equipment)

L Overall Length B Maximum Width De = Minimum Effective Depth of the Boat

Measure De at the lowest point that water can enter. This takes account of low transom cut-out or credits an acceptable engine well. All dimensions are in feet and tenths of feet. After you have obtained the weight carrying capacity of your outboard boat, whether from the manufacturer's capacity plate or by the above formula, be sure to see if your intended load comes within the limits by completing this little table. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

WEIGHT AND PERSON CAPACITY TABLE ( 1) Weight Carrying Capacity of Boat . . . . ........................ lbs. Add weight of: -outboard motor . . . .. ...................... ab~ -battery . . . . . . ........................ lbs. -fuel tank and fuel (gas == 6 lbs. per gal.) . . . ........................ lbs. -equipment: anchor, oars, radio, etc ......................... lbs. (2) Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................ lbs. (3) Remaining Weight Available for Persons . .. ...................... lbs. [Subtract (2) from (1) ] --LIMITS-( 4) Weight Available for Persons (same as (3)) ........................ lbs. BUT NOT MORE THAN ( 5) Calculate: LXB - - == Persons 15

In a particular loading situation, the operator should obey whichever value, number of persons, or weight carrying capacity sets the lower limit. It should be kept in mind that the use of a boat may relate to its capacity. Take water skiing, for example. Most boats towing water skiers have, in addition to the boat operator, one person to observe the skier. A boat used for waterskiing should, therefore, have capacity for three or more persons, as well as an engine of sufficient horsepower to tow the skier. If the boat is to be put to such uses as skin diving, water skiing, or even swimming, it should be stable enough to withstand the off-center load which is applied when persons are re-boarding it from the water. The foregoing capacity calculations give reliable results for most boats. However, lightweight boats may be very sensitive to the movement of passengers, while boats which are very heavy for their size may have little freeboard to start with. Besides, a boat may have been altered by a previous owner, perhaps making it top-heavy. For these reasons, it is a good idea to check your boat out in the water. To be certain that a boat actually has the calculated capacity for general water-sport activities, a simple stability test can be performed as follows: (a) Start with the engine and operating gear in normal position, and place the maximum calculated weight for persons on board on the centerline and in the middle of the boat. (b) Move part of the weight for persons from the center all the way to one side of the passenger carrying area. It should be possible to shift about twothirds of the weight for persons to one side of the boat without having the boat take water. ( c) If this can't be done, the total weight for persons should be reduced to a value at which the boat passes the test. In simpler terms, if the boat is able to carry five or six persons safely, it should not be swamped if three or four persons are all on the same side and the rest are at the center. The weather and water conditions should be taken into account, too. If the water is rough, the number of persons carried should be reduced. This is especially important when operating in coastal waters. NOTE: The weight and capacity formulas are applicable to only Class A and Class 1 motorboats (boats less than 26 ft. in length). â&#x20AC;˘ Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

MANAGEMENT UNITS What. Where Why ... he term "wildlife management units" is often heard today in conversations concerning hunting and trapping seasons in Maine. The Department's Wildlife Division set up the present eight units (see the map on the next two pages) in 1973 and has found them to be very useful in discussions of management programs and problems. Nearly everyone realizes that wildlife populations vary in number and distribution in different parts of the state. Similarly, we realize that these variations occur to a large extent because of numerous ecological similarities and/ or differences (climate, vegetation, soil, etc.). Study of these characteristics has shown us areas of Maine over which the general conditions are quite similar. We have divided the state into eight of these management units at present. They were called ecological zones at first, but the term was changed to one we feel is more meaningful. It would be feasible and perhaps desirable to have more than eight, but for several reasons, eight is the number right now. The characteristics of each unit are generally quite constant throughout the unit. This was arranged by nature - we are just looking at things the way they exist. It can be pointed out that from north to south or east to west in one unit, there may be at different times or seasons quite noticeable differences; but by and large, conditions in one section of a unit will be generally about the same over the unit as a whole. To come anywhere near eliminating the differences completely would require creating many more management units than would be convenient or easy to deal with. We expect to continue using our management units in setting various hunting and trapping seasons as we have been doing for several years. The units are very helpful to us and should be also to the general public. In many instances, we will be able to indicate hunting and trapping zones by referring to the management units, and regulations booklets or folders will carry copies of the map. Use of the units to distribute hunting pressure should be a valuable method in our various management programs.

KEY TO STAR RED AREAS

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS JULY 1976

Numbered stars appear in some plac es on the map wh e re th e re is not room enough to print the name . The t a ble he re w ill prov ide the name for each number .

The management units sh own have been formed on the .• basis of land-use, human population distribution, climatic conditions, soil type, forest type, physiography, and present political boundaries. Where WELS WELS possible, without com promising t he original / 11 / T17R 1J IT17Al2 • RU WELS WELS purpose of t he zoning, co unt y li nes have W EL been used as boundary lines. / • T16A14 T1 9A1 2

WELS

W ELS

NORTHERN WILDERNESS This unit includes Maine's largest undeveloped tract and sustains a very small human population. It, too, lies in the northern climatic zone ; but the basic soils are shallow, stony, sandy loams, as opposed to the predominant channery loam soils in most of Unit I.

• R16 ' WELS

T14A14 WELS

T14R15 WELS

T1 5A13 WELS

1 1 Eas 1oofl C it y 12 Mechan,c Falt s

T18 A11

WELS

T14A13 WELS

SI John PTT

Walla orass PIT

~:~I~:~

T13R16 WELS

T15A121 T15A 11 WELS WELS

T14R11 WELS

T14A12 WELS

(

T13R13 WELS

T13A14 WELS

T13R15 WELS

T13R12 WELS

Tl2R15 WELS

T12R14 WELS

T12Rl3 WELS

T12R12 WELS

T11R11 WELS

/ T11R16 WELS

T11R15 WELS

T11R14 WELS

T11R13 WELS

T11R12 WELS

T12R16 WE:.LS

T1JR11 WELS

' T12R17 WELS

New

Tl7R5 WELS

Cana<Ja PIT

T15R10 WELS

T14R10 WELS

T15R9 WELS

Tl4R9 WELS

Tl3R10 WELS

T13R9 WELS

T1lR11 WELS

.T12R10 WELS

Tl1R10 WELS

16 Vtttona 17 Fo,f'st C ity T9R4

Van.. , ,

hotm

18 C Surplu s Tow nship

PIT

T10AI 7

T10R16 I T10R15 WELS WELS

T10R14 WELS

west-

Im PH "\

T14R8 WELS

Tl•R7 WELS

Tl3R8 WELS T

WELS

T14A6 WELS

T11A9 WELS

T11RS WELS

T11R7 WELS

Portage Lake

T13R5 WELS

Wade I

Nashville PIT

~:~:-ti

_ castle Hrll

Fo"

Mapleton

-------1 Ashland Garlteld PTT

TTOR8 WELS

T10R7 WELS

T10R6 WELS

SQuapan Masard,s T10A4

26 H o pkins Academ y Gran t 27

J2 Days Academy Gran1

33 Si lver R tdQe T..... p

a1rfield f

34 South 8r1,i o1

PresQue 1s1e City Eas1on

T11R, fhapma WELS

T10R3 WELS

E Pit

Mar s H ill

Blame

===:cox

• T9 / RT8

3 WESTERN RECREATION While much of this unit is similar topographically and climatologically to Unit 2T it differs in its develop ing intensive recreational use . Population density is low ( fewer than IO persons/ sq. mile). Most of the region is woodland and includes the transitional zone between the sprucefur forests of Unit 2 and the wh ite pinehardwood forests of Units 7 and 8.

, ~ WEL T8R18 WELS

T9R17 WELS

T9R16 WELS

T9R14 WELS

T9R15 WELS

T6R17 WELS

T8R16 WELS

T8R15 WELS

T8R14 WELS

Eagle Lake T8R13

T7R17 WELS

T7R16 WELS

T7R15 WELS

T7R14 WELS

T7Al3 WELS

/ T7Al9 WELS

Btg 6 •

T6A19

)

T7Rl8 WELS

T6A18 WELS

T9Rl3 WELS

T6A17 WELS

T6At6 WELS

T5R16 WELS

T6A15 WELS

T5A15 WELS

T6A14 WELS

TSAU WELS

T6R13 WELS

T7Al2 WELS

T7A1 I WELS

T6A12 WELS

I ~':it T5A13

T5A12 WELS

T4A13 WELS

T4Al2 WELS

T3A11 WELS

T6A11 WELS

T5A11 WELS

T4R11 WELS

T3A12 WELS

T7R10 WELS

T3A11 WELS

T6A10 WELS

;:~ I ~:~

T9R7 WELS

Oxbow PTT

T9R5 WELS

~~~ I ~~~

T8R7 WELS

T8R6 WELS

T8R5 WELS

T7R6 WELS

T7R5 WELS

T6R6

Moro PIT

T7R9 WELS

T7R6 WELS

T6R9

T6R8

WELS

T5A10 WELS

T5R9

T5Rll

WELS

T4A10 WELS

T<R9

T4R8

WELS

MT T3 RIO WELS Ka1ahd1

T3R9

T2A12 WELS

Aainbo T2A11

T2A10 WELS

T1Rl2 WELS

T1A11 WELS

T1R10 WELS

TAA12

TAR 11

TARIQ

T7R7 WELS

T6A7 WELS

WELS

T2R9

TO R2

TC R2

I · ~~7~ 1

8:a~2re

s1r;~~·· I~~~~

~oe.,:er [ Dudley T7R3 T7R4

T5A7 WELS

Hersey

ar;!~nd\

Memll

MT Chase PTT

Smyrna

l:low ew

Houlton ,

l AROOSTOOK AGRl CULTURAL This ·unit is made up of a mixture of intensive agri culture ( primarily the potato industry) and wood lands . It lies in the northern climatic zone but has a relatively dense human population ( about 25 persons/ sq . mile) . 1

Pat1en

T4A7 WELS

Stacyv1U WELS

T3R7 WELS

T2R8

Soldier town

Hersey town

WELS

T2R7

T2R6

T3R8

T9R3 WELS

L1t1le1on 1

s WELS

T9R4 WELS

East M tllmocke1

28 Nor1h Yarmou1h Acad emy Gra n t T1 A4 29 Upper M olunkus T1 A, JO Sa ndw ich Ac~my Granl T2R 1 31 Taun1on & Raynham Gran t Tl R1

land

T14RS WELS

0 T12R7 WELS

Wood

Perham

25 l •Ule Squaw TJ A5

-.1mes1ol

W L

T13R7 WELS

T12A8 WELS

22 Untty l O'l'lnSh 1p 23 10.000 Acr e Tract T1Fl6 24 l n<hain Stream T1 R6

PIT

T15R6 1 Tl~R:

T15R8 r mterv111 ~ WELS Pit

T12R9 WELS

T10R9 WELS

21 Wash1noton To• nsh lp

New

[west11eld

Big 10

19 And over W est Surplu s Perlt in s Townsh ip

Cy, \H:~..

anland Sweden

T12R11 WELS

15 S1oc1i1 1o n Spr,nos

Buren ,

T17R3 WELS

T17R.d WELS

T16A4 WELS

~:~ I ~:~:

Eagle Lake

1 J Farm1nodal e 1 4. Hallowell City

Grand" ' Isle I

STock·

Owls Heac,

10 ROQue B luff s

, •

T16R12 WELS

T16A13

/ .T14

4 Arrow sic

5 Westpo,t

6 Oaiman sco tta

9 Southwest H ar1)o(

T 19A11 WELS

WE LS

.,..1 8A13 T18R12

15AIS , Tt5A14 / • WELS WELS

1 Old Ofc h ard BNCh

2 Wes1 Bath

J 8 a1h City

...... ,

. • T20 A11 &12 W ELS

* *** * * * a ** *** * * ** * ** 20 * *** * ** ** ** * * *

7 F nen<Jsh1p

/·--

TTR6 WELS

EASTERN WOODLANDS This unit is almost com pletely for e sted and has a ve ry small human population . Lyi ng in the intermed iate cl imatic zone , it supports ma inly spruce-fir gro wth . The soil types ar e similar to thos e of Unit 2.

EASTERN COAST The coastal climatic zone subdivides this unit. Population density is about I 0/sq. mile, and land use patterns are quite variable.

Macmicus Isle

Pl!

()

MAINE DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE

CENTRAL COAST AL This unit is the second most densely populated in the state (about 30/sq. mile) and supports a mixed agricultural, semi-urban population. CENTRAL A transition of forest types similar to that deThis unit is characterized by the diversity scribed for Unit 3 occurs here. of its land-use, which varies from intensive This zonation divides the State of Maine into agriculture to woodlands both productive and units with distinct similarities of factors used in recreational. Population density is moderate considering the biological significance of the area. ( 25-30/ sq. mile), and much of the area falls By breaking wildlife data accumulated on a statein the intermediate climatic zone.

WESTERN COAST AL The most dense human population (40/sq. mile) in Maine occurs here. The unit supports much white pine growth, with hardwoods being well distributed. Climatic conditions are probably the most moderate of any unit. Much of the unit is a coastal plain, but the soils are similar to those in Unit 7 ( stony, sandy loams, low in silt and clay).

MINOR CIVIL DIVISIONS STATE OF

MAINE 1.. 1,u 1t~ "" ''"' O [ PU IT M [ N T

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1972

wide basis into these units, interpretation should be eased considerably. It is to be expected that as land use practices change in the future, revision or refinement of this unit regionalization will prove necessary. It is anticipated that the present division should meet the requirements for at least a decade.

C SEBAGO LAKE STUDY RELEASED An extensive report covering more than 10 years of research and field work to improve ailing fisheries in Sebago Lake has been released by the Fish and Wildlife Department's Fisheries Division. The 56-page booklet, written by Sebago Regional Biologist Stuart DeRoche, is available from the Fisheries and Wildlife Dept., 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333, at a cost of 50 cents. Sebago Lake, located in Cumberland County, has long been a favorite lake for fishermen interested in landlocked salmon, though it supports a variety of other game fish. A decline in successful salmon fishing from 1957 to 1960 prompted a quick study to determine reasons for the decline - and results of that study demanded an immediate and more intensive research project, started in 1962. The newly released report explains in detail this study, including the marked improvements in Sebago fisheries after use of DDT near the lake was discontinued in 1963. It also discusses recent problems with salmon growth following declines in the smelt populations. Other management methods used throughout the period of the study have brought the salmon fishery back toward an acceptable level, but more studies are necessary to improve the fishery further in coming years. 16

DEER SEASON 1976

The deer hunting season in Maine this fall will open Monday, Nov. 1, in Management Units 1 & 2 and Monday, Nov. 8, in Management Units 3 through 8. The season in both sections, along with the bear hunting season statewide, will close Nov. 27, the Saturday following Thangsgiving.

The special archery season will open statewide Oct. 4 ; it will close Saturday, Oct. 30, in Management Units 1 & 2 and Saturday, Nov. 6, in the remainder of the state. The 1976 hunting season offers the same number of hunting days as last year in each zone. Seasons were set by Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Maynard F. Marsh at a May 20 meet ing of the Fish & Wildlife Advisory Council. In general, outlook was favorable regarding the condition of our deer herd and the manner in which it is recovering from a low population level in the early 70's.

Oepar1men1 ol Corue,ÂĽalion I Augusta . Ma,ne

MAINE'S VO LU NTARY HUNTER SAFETY tra ining prog ra m has been ranked among t he top ten in t he nation by t he Nat ional Rifle Association. The award of merit was g iven fo r effectiveness and overall excellence. In the picture, Gov. James B. Long ley accepts the award from Dr. Alonzo H. Ga rcelon, second from left, newly re-elected second vice president of N.R.A. Looking on are Lorenzo J. Gaudrea u, left, an d Comm issioner Maynard F. Marsh , both of the Inla nd Fisheries and W ildlife Dept., whi ch adm in isters the safet y program. Following t he presentation, G ov. Longley stated t hat all his children had taken the Ma ine Hunte r Safety Tra ining Course.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

HELP NEEDED IN NATIONAL SURVEY

NEW LEGISLATION

If you are one of 1,000 sportsmen in Maine who receives a questionnaire this spring concerning your hunting and fishing activities, please fill it out and return it. These are part of a nationwide survey being conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in an effort to determine how and where hunters, fishermen, and other wildlife recreation participants spend their recreational leisure time. The survey is in response to a request from the International Association of Game, Fish, and Conservation Commissioners, and is being conducted by National Analysts, Inc., a Philadelphia-

The special session of the 107th Maine Legislature passed a number of laws which affect sportsmen. Following is a summary of these laws, all of which become effective July 29, 1976. - A pheasant stamp is again required in order for any person 16 years of age or older to hunt or possess pheasants. The stamp was not required last season but has been required for several seasons previous. The stamp must be validated by the owner's signature in ink across its face. The fee for the stamp is now $3.25. - The annual registration fee for snowmobiles has been reduced from $12.50 to $11.25. - The special fly fishing only season, which extended from September 15 through October 31 on the Kennebec River from Indian Pond dam to tidewater in Augusta, has been repealed. The Kennebec now comes under the general law season for rivers, closing September 15. - The no length limit provisions on brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout which have been in effect on brooks and streams have now been extended to include rivers in Maine. - A new section has been added to the fish and game laws providing that "It shall be unlawful to discharge a firearm within 100 feet of a residential dwelling without the permission of the owner or, in his absence, of an adult occupant of that dwelling." - Owners of motor vehicles involved in accidental collisions with deer or moose have to report the mishap to a game warden "by the quickest means," rather than within 24 hours as previously required. In addition, the owner must take possession of, and remove from the scene of the collision, the entire carcass of the animal.

ANSWER

TO PUZZLE

ON PAGE 4

based research firm. Questionnaires are being sent to 1,000 persons in each of the 50 states, and most should be received by the end of April. Every response to this survey, according to USF&WS officials, is "an important contribution to the information required by fish and wildlife managers to assure the perpetuation of hunting and fishing opportunities." Your co-operation will greatly help the USF& WS in determining a future direction for fish and wildlife management. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

PHILIP DUMOND NAMED WARDEN OF THE YEAR

Philip L. Dumond of Estcourt Station, warden in the Fish and Wildlife Department's northernmost district for practically all of his 19 years of service, has been named Maine's Warden of the Year. The 44-year old Fort Kent native received the honor from the Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association during a recent conference in Hershey, Pa. Dumond began his service as a warden in 1957, stationed in the Bar Harbor area. After less than a year, he moved to his present

KID-BITS ANSWERS 'M

1=> l T R O UIT ·o I RII IGIO 0 ·s AIL ON 0 £ l'WH II ·r El £ SK 0 0 G ''J\ R 0 10 ST O OIKI T u E l"C H E I C KIAIDIE A H E 15 l L AND LIOICIK ED I I 12 N 2

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post in Maine's northernmost community. He served four years in the United States Air Force after graduation from Fort Kent High School and became a warden upon his discharge from the service. Chief Warden Charles S. Allen says that Dumond "takes a great interest in working with new wardens, and truly enjoys the area he patrols. He is a quiet, dedicated, and hard-working warden who is always improving his methods of apprehending fish and game violators in a very difficult area." 1976 LICENSE FEES Nonresident Citizen Big Game $ 60.50 Hunting - 10 yrs. and over Alien Big Game Hunting (new license in 1976) 100.00 Nonresident Small Game Hunting 30.50 16 yrs. and over Nonresident Junior Small Game 15.50 Hunting - 10-15 yrs. inc. Nonresident Archery Deer Hunting 60.50 12 yrs. and over 250.00 Nonresident Trapping 125.00 Nonresident Guide - 18 yrs. and over 150.00 Alien Guide (new License in 1976) Nonresident Junior Fishing 4.00 12-15 yrs. inc. Nonresident Season Fishing 25.50 16 yrs. and over Nonresident 15-day Fishing 15.50 Nonresident 7-day Fishing 12.50 Resident or nonresident 3-day Fishing 7.50 7.50 Resident Fishing-16 yrs. and over Resident Junior Hunting - 10-15 yrs. inc. 1.50 7.50 Resident Hunting - 16 yrs. and over Resident Combination Hunting and free Fishing - Over age 70 Resident Combination Hunting and 12.50 Fishing - 16 yrs. and over 3.50 Resident Serviceman Combination Resident Archery Hunting - 10 yrs. 7.50 and over 13.00 Resident Trapping (Statewide) Resident Trapping (Organized Townships) (This license will no longer be issued) (none) Resident Guide - 18 yrs. and over 32.00 Resident Deer Transportation License 40.50

Our readers appear to be most understanding of the need to increase the price of MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE Magazine. We have been hit by the postage increases everyone has experienced, by printing costs which have crept up gradually, and by other costs of magazine publishing. We don't like the increases, but they are necessary. Postage rates are especially high for addresses outside the U. S. Zip Code area. 18

HATCHERY SUPERINTENDENT, 10 OTHERS, RETIRE Eleven Fish and Wildlife Dept. employees with a total of nearly 300 years of service have retired during the past few months. Stanley P. Linscott retired June 30 from the position of hatcheries superintendent. He has worked for the Department since his discharge from the United States Coast Guard in 1946. Linscott, a Maine native and a wildlife conservation graduate of the University of Maine, began his Fish and Wildlife Department work as a biologist with the Hatchery Division. He moved to the position of hatcheries superintendent in 1961. Before entering the Coast Guard, Linscott was employed during the summers of 1938 through 1941 as a biologist assisting Dr. Gerald Cooper with pond and stream inventories. Cecil McAllister, an employee of the Department since 1941, also retired June 30 from the position of hatchery foreman at the New Gloucester rearing station. McAllister, a native of Casco, began his employment as a hatcheryman, moving to the post of fish culturist in 1954. He became hatchery foreman in 1963. Henry W. Fontaine retired June 30 from his position as fish hatcheryman at the Embden facility. Fontaine began his Department employment in 1944, and served at three other hatcheries before going to Embden. James A. Maxwell left the Department June 5 after working at the game farm in Gray since 1945. Starting as the assistant superintendent, Maxwell assumed his last post, that of superintendent, in mid-1970. Raymond Lemelin retired March 31 from the post o.f hatchery construction foreman for the Engineering Division. Lemelin began working for the Engineering Division in 1953.

Harold E. Knight left the Department April 30, vacating the post of radio technician for the Warden Service. Knight started with the Warden Service in 1956 and was a warden supervisor when he retired. Coretta I. Dalessio also retired April 30 frc .1 th, post of secretary for the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission. Mrs. Dalessio had held the position since 1961. Four members of the Maine Warden Service also retired June 30 to finish up the list of retirees. Warden Supervisor John F. Shaw, a native of Pittsfield, began his service in 1956 as a warden, moving to the post of warden inspector in 1962 and to supervisor in 1964. He resides in Wilton. Maynard Pelletier, a native of Allagash, started with the Warden Service in 1951, and has served in Aroostook County districts, residing in Caribou. Sherman W. Clement, a native of Belgrade Lakes, began as a warden in 1956, serving in southern Aroostook County. He presently resides in Sherman Mills. Eben B. Perry, a native of Boston, Mass., begar1:_ his warden duties in 1954. He presently resides in Rangeley.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

Nakjna AGoodThjna

Be11er

-.::::_,-----\

Na111onal Hun111na and Fllshllna Day Sepiember 25, 1976 In its brief four-year history, National Hunting and Fishing Day has developed into this nation 's newest, and most meaningful , sporting trad ition . Thanks to outstanding support from local sportman 's clubs and conservation groups, NHF Day activities are now held at nearly 3,000 gun clubs , shopping centers , schools, parks and libraries-each year attracting some 20 million visitors . This year's observance, on September 25, can be the best yet-with a little help from you. When you help organize an NHF Day program, you'll be helping to give the non-sportsmen in your town a better understanding of what hunting and fishing are all about. You'll be showing how sportsmen help wildlife by providing over $250 million for conservation annually. In short, you 'll be showing them that there is a lot more to hunting and fishing than guns, fishing rods and reels. They will get the message, loud and clear, that the people who

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

hunt and fish are the real protectors of our wildlife . It is not hard to organ ize an NHF Day program and it's even easier to improve an exist ing one. You'll find lots of individuals and clubs that will help, and NHF Day headquarters has prepared a 64-page manual and 60piece aids kit to make the job even easier. Please use the order blank below to order yours today. You 'll be well on your way to making a good thing better.

r-------------------------,1

To: NHF DAY, 1075 Post Rd., Riverside, Conn. 06878

I I

Please send copies of the NHF Day Action Manual @ $2.00 per copy (same as '75 edition) .

NHF Day Aids Kits@ $3 ..00 per kit NHF Day bumper stickers @ 5 for $1.00

1 I

I I I I I

I enclose$

to cover the cost of my order.

Name

I I I (

Add ress City

I I

State

Zip

I I I

L-------------------------~ 19

FALL FISHING

The Season'' By Tom Shoener

HE SHORTENING DAYS of late summer bring forth in the minds of most sportsmen thoughts of the hunt. Fishing gear is stashed away, and attention turns to dogs and guns, forests, fields, and marshes. That's the way it is with most outdoor types, but a small but steadily growing number of others have discovered that the special delights of autumn days can also be enjoyed by taking part in the "second season" fishing that is available in the fall in almost every Maine county. The "second season" begins when the regular or general law season ends-August 15 on brooks and streams, September 15 on rivers, and September 30 on lakes and ponds-and it provides additional angling time of two weeks to a month on many waters. Extended seasons occur in several instances on a county-wide basis, but more often they are established on individual bodies of water. Brook and stream fishing has been extended to close on September 15 in three counties-Aroostook, Cumberland, and York-and either September 15 or September 30 on several other streams elsewhere. Daily bag limits and the fishing methods on these extended-season brooks and streams are-with one or two exceptions-the same as during the regular fishing season. There are about 15 rivers in Maine that remain open until the end of September. These are almost exclusively landlocked salmon and trout waters. Regulations on them differ from river to river, but invariably there are sharply reduced daily bag limits as well as restrictions on the methods of fishingoften fly fishing only- in effect during the extended season. Seekers of bass, pickerel, perch, and other warmwater species can enjoy fishing right through the

month of October on quite a number of lakes and ponds. Ten of Maine's 16 counties have anywhere from a few to more than 50 (in Washington County) lakes and ponds open to fishing for all species except salmon, trout, and togue during October. General law angling methods and bag limits remain in effect on these waters during the extended season. Finding late-season fishing sites is simply a matter of checking down through the listing of special fishing regulations in the current open-water law folder. Season dates, limits, and any other departures from the general fishing laws are listed alphabetically by the name of the water, under the appropriate county. For convenience, lakes and ponds that are open for warm-water species during October are listed as a group at the end of county entries.

has been called "feast or famine fishing." This can be especially true on the rivers in September, where the availability of fish to catch and their willingness to co-operate is highly dependent upon the water flow. A dry September is bad news. Likewise, on the many rivers where the flow is controlled by a dam, too much or too little water can make or break the fishing. Not much can be done about the rainfall, or lack of it, but on a number of the dammed rivers the Fish and Wildlife Department has worked out agreements with the dam owners to assure that there is never less than a certain minimum flow in the river below the dam. Although these agreements are not intended to create better fishing conditions, they obviously work to that end. Some publicrelations-conscious dam owners even co-operate to the extent of trying to adj ust water levels for ALL FISHING

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

optimum fishing conditions, at least at times of greatest demand, such as on weekends. Despite its vagaries, fall fishing has a lot going for it. The bug season is long gone, as are the majority of fishermen and "summer people." The weather is usually more dependable than during spring fishing. And the hardwood foliage is more than likely putting on its fall spectacular, adding a new element of enjoyment for the angler. Another big bonus of fall fishing is that with careful date and location selection, the enterprising sportsman can mix in some hunting with his fishing, or vice versa. Imagine casting your bird dog

through woodcock covers in the morning and then in the afternoon casting a streamer to a good looking salmon lie. Or how about bass fishing combined with grouse hunting, or maybe a bow and arrow deer hunt?

run simply to catching a mess of perch or hornpout, don't stash away your rod after Labor Day. Enjoy the fall fishing available in Maine, right up through the end of October. It offers some pleasures that can not be had at any other time of year. • VEN IF YOUR INTERESTS

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION By The Wildlife Management Institute

To appreciate the present, one must understand the past. A round 1900, most authorities did not have much hope for any of the larger forms of wildlife surviving far beyond the 1920s. The pessimistic view failed to foresee the scientific wildlife management programs that developed in the early 1930s and which have been expanded th rough subsequent decades . Here are a few historical comparisons: • Beaver: 1900- El iminated from the states of the Mississippi Va l ley and all eastern states except Maine : common on ly in Alaska and a few loca l ities in the Pacific Northwest and Rockies . Today: Common to abundant in nea rl y a ll states except Hawaii . • Pronghorn Antelope : 1925- Authorities estimated 13,000 to 26,000 in U.S.A ., most in Wyoming and Montana . Today: Minimum population in all western states is 500,000. • Bison : 1895-800 su rvivors. Today: Population about 6,000.in U.S.A .; all available range fully stocked . • Elk: 1907- Common on ly in and around Yellowstone National Park; estimated total south of Canada , 41,000. Today: About 1 mil l ion in 16 states. • White-tai led Deer: 7895-About 350,000 south of Canada; exti rpated from more than ha l f the states . Today: App roximately 12 million in 48 states . • W ild Turkey: 1930- Common in only a few southern states, e l im inated from most. Today: Restored to 43 states, inc l uding estab l ishment in severa l outside original range of species . • Fur Seal: 1911-0fficial census in Pribi lof Island showed 215,900. Today: Herd maintained at around 1.5 mil l ion under a scientific management program . • Egrets and Herons: 1910- Several species on the brink of extinction because of slaughter on their nesting grounds by feather collectors to supply the mi 11 i nery trade . Today : Most species common to abundant over most of the United States . • Trumpeter Swan : 1935-73 survivors south of Canada on one wildlife refuge . Today : Thriving populations on two national parks and several national wi ldlife refuges . Removed from endangered status in the late 1960s.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

• Wood Duck : 1915- Greatly reduced in numbers and considered a candidate for early extinction . Today: The most common breeding waterfowl in eastern U.S.A . • Sea Otter: 1907- Nearly extinct: a few survivors in Alaska' s Aleutian chain and in coastal California . Today: Minimum of 50,000; successfully restored to waters of mainland Alaska , Oregon, Washington , and British Columbia, increasing and extending range in California . Since 1938, state fish and wildlife agencies have used sportsmen' s license fees and special taxes under the Federal Aid in Fish and Wildlife Restoration Acts to: • Acquire, deve lop, or manage 2,900 wildlife refuges and management areas totalling nearly 40 million acres. These lands protect vital habitat of a wide range of wildlife and are heavily used by bird wat c hers, nature students , and other outdoor enthusiasts. • Constructor restore more than 300 lakes for fish and wildlife with a total surface acreage of 35 ,000. • Acquire or develop more than 3,000 public access areas that open nearly a million otherwise inaccessible acres and 2,000 mi les of stream to outdoor recreat ional use . • Livetrap and transplant to unoc cupied habitat more than 50,000 deer, 16,000 antelope, 2,000 elk , 1,000 mountain sheep, 18,000 fur animals, 20,000 wild turkeys, 22,000 waterfowl , and 130,000 quail. • Conduct extensive resear c h on wildlife habitat needs, diseases, population trends, predator-prey relationships, and wild l ife crop-damage abatement. • Assist hundreds of thousands of landown ers with wildlife habitat improvement projects . • Conduct public conservation education programs for schoo l teachers and students and promote understanding of wildlife needs and habits through articles and television shows . • Protect both hunted and nonhunted wildlife by apprehending conservation law violators . Many state conservation law enforcement officers also enforce laws against polluters, whose activities impose serious threats to wildlife and its habitats . But, as in all resource management efforts, public support is essential. •

yet to push the panic button, but an environmental situation has been detected that could have longterm consequences and therefore bears watching. It's called "acid r ain." An interesting article on acid rain appeared in the January 1976 issue of MAINE ENVIRONMENT, a publication of the Natural Resources Council of Maine (20 Willow Street, Augusta, Maine 04330) . Written by Dr. Samuel S. Butcher, professor of chemistry at Bowdoin College, the article serves as another reminder that there is no such thing as a free lunch. As described by Dr. Butcher, the phenomenon known as "acid rain" results when strong acids

HERE'S NO NEED

present in the atmosphere as gases or particles are caught up in water and removed from the atmosphere as rain or snow. The most common measure of the acidity of water is its pH. As water becomes more acidic, the pH decreases. Pure water has a pH of 7; rain water in equilibrium with the carbon dioxide in the air has a pH of 5.6; household vinegar has a pH of about 2.5. Acid rain has been studied most extensively in Norway and Sweden. Prevailing winds often place the Scandinavian countries downwind from the more heavily industrialized portions of western Europe. Dr. Butcher noted that the increasing acidity of precipitation throughout western Europe has been documented during the last 20 years by an extensive network of sampling stations. Two important effects of acid rain those on fish and on forests are now being investigated in Norway. It is probably too early to say just what the overall influence of acid rain has been. One thing that is well known is that fish of the trout-salmon group are very sensitive to increases in acidity and generally cannot tolerate water which has a pH less than 5. Any possible adverse effects of increased acidity on fish and forests should certainly be no less a concern in Maine than it is in Europe. Also, any increase in the acidity of Maine's naturally acid soils could be of great consequence to agricultural production. The two most common strong acids in the atmosphere, Dr. Butcher said, are sulfuric acid and nitric acid. Sulfuric acid can result from reactions of the sulfur dioxide formed when sulfurcontaining fuels are burned. Nitric acid can be an end product of gases formed from most combustion processes. Both acids can also be formed from gases produced by Mother Nature. Several

substances also exist in the atmosphere which can neutralize acids, or increase the pH. These include wind-blown soil dust and certain types of industrial emissions. According to Dr. Butcher, Maine is similar in many respects to Norway and Sweden because though not heavily industrialized, it is often downwind from a heavily industrialized region. The section of this country which extends from Chicago eastward to the Atlantic Ocean contains a great deal of heavy industry with substantial emissions of sulfur dioxide. The most extensive studies carried out in the northeast, Dr. Butcher reported, have been those at Hubbard Brook in central New Hampshire by scientists from Cornell and Yale. These studies have shown that precipitation acidity has increased somewhat in the last ten years and that the increase is most closely correlated with increases in nitric acid. Thus far, the studies carried out at Bowdoin College have shown that rain and snow in Maine are somewhat acidic, a condition similar to that observed in New Hampshire. The pH of the precipitation ranges from 3.9 to 5.0 in most of the southern third of the state. Precipitation in Maine can be greatly influenced by emissions of certain types of pulp mills. In one case which has been carefully studied, the pulp mill emissions tend to neutralize the background acidity, increasing the pH of precipitation to about 6. This influence has been observed at a distance of ten miles from the mill and it is likely that it extends even further. Although it appears to Dr. Butcher that there is little cause for panic about acid rain at the present time, he says that it is a matter that should be more fully understood before any further industrial commitments are made at the expense of air quality. â&#x20AC;˘

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

By Dr. W. Harry Everhart*

Editor's note: The material in this article was taken from the booklet whose cover is pictured above. FISHES OF MAINE is being revised and will he reprinted. This condensed version, with the identification guide and the general material about fish, will he of interest to many of our readers.

A fish has been defined as "a back-boned, coldblooded animal adapted for a life in the water with limbs modified as fins, and obtaining oxygen from the water by gills throughout life." The number of different kinds of fishes present in the waters of the world today has been estimated at roughly 40,000. Since new forms are constantly being described, this number is ever changing and alway',s increasing. Fishes easily outnumber all other vertebrates combined, including the amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. A glance at the fishes inhabiting the waters of Maine will convince the observer that they are streamlined ideally for moving through the medium in which they live. In general, the shape may be described as torpedo or "cigarlike." Some of the fishes have become rounded as the eels and others have become flattened from side to side as the basses and are known as compressed. Fishes of Maine are either rounded or compressed in body form. Covering the fish externally is a layer of mucus secreted by the glands of the skin. The mucus protects fish from external infection. Immediately under the mucus lies the epidermis, and under the epidermis are embedded the scales. The scales are laid down shortly after the fish is hatched and reflect changes which may occur in the life history of the fish. Age of fish can be determined from the number of year marks, and periods of good growth and poor growth can be detected from the spacing of the growth rings on the scale. Ages of fishes refer to the number of completed year marks on the scale and conform to the manner in which we ordinarily report the age of a human. Among fishes of Maine, the lamprey eel, hornpout, and freshwater sculpin are without scales. Scales of Maine fishes may be divided into the cycloid type and the ctenoid type. Cycloid scales are usually small and embedded deeply in the

,:, Dr. Everhart was the Department's chief of fisheries when he wrote the booklet in the early 1950's. It has been revised and reprinted several times.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

skin. Trout and salmon are examples of fish with cycloid scales. Ctenoid scales have several rows of spines along their posterior or exposed edge. These spines, or ctenii, give the fish a rough or spiny feeling. Bass and white perch are examples of fish having ctenoid scales. Fins of fishes are thin folds of skin supported by rays, spines, or both. Fish are frequently classified either as "soft-rayed" fish such as trout, or as "spiny-rayed" fish such as bass. Rays are finely segmented and often branched while spines are unsegmented, unbranched, and usually hard. Counts of rays and spines, since their number is reasonably constant, are frequently of value in identification of closely allied forms. Paired fins include the pectorals, located behind the gill openings, and the ventral or pelvic fins, located on the lower side of the body. Fish are frequently classified according to whether the fins are positioned posteriorly or anteriorly on the ventral side or belly of the fish. Most "advanced" fishes have the ventral fins placed under, or nearly under, the pectoral fins; this location is described as thoracic. If the ventral fins are in front of the pectoral fins, the location of the ventral fins is described as jugular. When the ventral fins are posterior, their position is considered abdominal. Unpaired fins include the dorsal, adipose, caudal or tail fin, and the anal fin. Although a fish swims primarily by muscular movements of its body, it depends on the caudal fin lending power to the movements, on the dorsal and anal fins for stabilizing the movement, and on the pectoral and ventral fins for steering and maneuvering. Fish obtain their oxygen from water passing over the gills. Closing the gill covers, opening the mouth, and expanding the cheeks causes water to flow in. Closing the mouth, contracting the cheeks, and opening the gill covers causes water to flow out over the gills. Gills are made up of a fine network of capillaries or very small blood vessels with walls so thin that oxygen can pass from the water into the blood and carbon dioxide can pass from the blood into the water. The manner of reproduction in fish is interesting and of great importance to correct management of the fishery concerned. Although internal fertilization and development are known in fishes, all fresh-water fishes of Maine fertilize the eggs externally. Development, therefore, takes place outside the body of the female. In some fishes, the males take on spawning coloration or "breeding plumage" near and during spawning time. Approach of spawning season is the signal in most fishes for a migration to the spawning area. Distances traveled may be many miles as with Atlantic salmon or only a few feet as with lake trout. Certain fishes, particularly minnows and suckers, develop tubercles on the fins and head during the breeding season. These tubercles are 24

more pronounced on males and are used in grasping the female and in defending the spawning area. Some fishes build nests. Female trout and salmon have the job of preparing the nest, but neither parent assumes any responsibility once the eggs are fertilized and covered. Males of the sunfish family prepare the nest and remain to guard the eggs and young. Many fishes prepare no nest but merely broadcast the eggs which lie on the bottom among the rocks or aquatic plants. Pickerel and smelt are examples of the latter type. Most fish are polygamous with several males fertilizing the eggs of the female or with the eggs of several females fertilized by a single male. Fishes may be classified in two categories according to their food habits. Those that feed on plankton are called herbivores, and those utilizing insects and other fishes are known as carnivores. In many instances, the mouth and dentition serve as clues to the food habits of fish. An examination of the large mouth and teeth of the pickerel would leave no doubt about the carnivorous food habits of this species. Likewise, the lack of teeth in the mouth of the whitefish would leave little doubt that this fish is primarily a plankton feeder. Fishes may travel together and feed in schools or may seek their food alone. Some species make characteristic daily migrations, coming into shallow areas in the evening where they are readily taken by hook and line. Temperature plays an important part in feeding of fish. Extreme lows and highs tend to "throw the fish off their feed." Sense organs of fish are variously developed. The eyes of the fish are very much like our own in their construction. However, the eyes of the fish are adapted for seeing only short distances. The question of whether fish can distinguish different color patterns has long been argued by scientists although at present most are in agreement with the fishermen in believing that fish can distinguish colors. The nostrils of a fish are located on top of the snout and open into small blind pouches lined with the organs of the sense. of smell. Water is drawn in and out of the pouches. Although fish do not have an external ear, they undoubtedly hear vibrations that are more readily transferred through the water. These vibrations travel through the skull to reach the inner ear. In addition, the lateral line organ of fish is reported as receiving vibrations of low intensity. The lateral line, easily observed along the sides of the fish, can be traced onto the head where it may divide into as many as five different branches. The study of fish is interesting and far from complete. Fishermen and 6shery scientists alike want to improve the quality of fishing. Only additional research by trained professionals can provide the methods for better :fishery management. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

IDENTIFICATION OF MAINE FISHES The average fisherman pursuing the sport of fishing for pleasure is little inclined to burden himself with the details of fish identification as practiced by the professional ichthyologist. Unknown animals or plants are identified through the use of keys defined as "a tabulation of those characteristics which will most readily and reliably distinguish the form." An effort has been made to provide easily observed characteristics and to illustrate these characteristics whenever possible with line drawings emphasizing important features. A great deal of confusion exists over common names of fishes. Common names used in this article are those proposed by the American Fisheries Society. Scientific names have been included, as they are generally standardized throughout the world. It is suggested that before attempting an identification, the reader acquaint himself with the draw-

ing below, representing a generalized fish and showing the location of the principal characteristics used throughout the keys. The keys are designed to provide the observer with two choices. One of these choices will fit the fish you are trying to identify. Following the choices which fit the fish at hand will lead to the name of the specimen. First, determine the family to which the fish belongs by consulting the key to families. Some families of fish found in Maine have only a single representative; once the family is determined, the name of the fish will be known. Other families may have several representatives. In this case, determine the family to which the fish belongs, and then turn to the key number indicated and proceed through the key to the members of that family until correct identification is reached. Good practice in learning to identify fishes correctly would be the "keying out" of a specimen familiar to you.

GENERALIZED FISH INDICATING CHARAC'l;'ERISTICS COMMONLY USED IN IDENTIFYING FISH

11.

Spiny dorsal fin

12.

Fin spine

13.

Soft dorsal fin

14.

Fin ray

15.

Adipose fin

16.

Caudal fin

17.

Anal fin

Cheek

18.

Anal spine

Bony gill cover

19.

Lateral line scales

Pectoral fin

20.

Lateral line

10.

Ventral fin

21.

Caudal peduncle

Upper jaw (premaxillary and maxillary bones)

Lower jaw ( dentary bone)

Barbel

Nostril

Eye

Maxillary barbel

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

KEY TO THE FAMILIES OF FRESH-WATER FISHES OF MAINE

Adipose fi n presen.C

Adipose fin

Mouth u sucke r-like disc without jaws; gill openings seven; paired fins nbsent

Sen Lamprey

absent

Petromyzontidae

Mouth ,vith t rue jnws; gill slits four. protected l>y n gill cover; paired fins present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Barbels on head; scales absent; single stont spine in dorsu l uud pectoral fins

Brown Bullheutl I ctaluridae

Cnudul fin uot symmetrical (hetero~ercnl), cnudul vertebrue extending into the upper lobe of the cnudul ilu.

Barbels absent: scales present; pectoral fins without spines ................. .. .. . ....... , . .

l\ioutll small ; upper jnw not extending bnck to below center ot eye ; teeth on ju ws mu.I tongue wenk

Atlnntic Sturgeon

Whitefishes

Acipenseridae

Coreoonidae

Go to Group B Caudal flu more or less symmetricul {homocercul)

Mouth lnrge; upper jnw extending bnck at least to below center ot the eye; strong conical teeth on jnws nnd tongue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Body eel-shaped; ventrnl fins absent

Scnles large, fewer than 75 along Intern! line American Smelt

, American Eel

Osmeridae

Anguillidae

Scales small , more tha n 105 along luterul liue Body not eel-shaped; ventrnl fins p resent . .. .. . .

Salmon and Trout Salmonidae

Go to Group C

Mldllne of belly provided with snw-llke keel

Alewife Ventral fins abdominal, inserted n considerable dis tance behind the pectorals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Clupeidae

Midllne of belly without a saw-like keel . . . â&#x20AC;˘ . . . . .

Head scaly or par tially scaly ... ... .. . ....... . Head without scnles .... . ..... . ............. .

Jaws elongated, shaped like a duck's bill; large irregular teeth; caudal fln forked Ventrul fins thornCic (in close proximity to the pectoral fin but behind) or jugulnr (ventral fins anterior to pectorul lln) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Chain Pickerel Esocidae

Jaws not elongated; teeth wenk; cnudnl fin more or less r ounded

Kllllflsh Cyprinodontidae

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

Group A: SUNFISH FAMILY (Centrarchidae)

Mouth points down wa rd (infe ri or ), is sucker -like w it h t hick, pnpillose lips; dor sal fi n with 10 or more r ays

K ey to the five member s of the s unfish fam ily found in Ma ine

Sucker s Ca tostomidae

Ilody r elatively long, tile d epth being onl y nbon t one-third t he leng th ; dor sal fin deeply notched bet ween the spinous nncl soft-r ayed portion : scales smnll, 58 or more in Int ern! line . . . . . . . . . . . . A2

Mout h opPning towa rd the f ron t (termi nal or subter minn l ) ; dorsul fin with less tha n 10 r nys

Dody short and deep, its dept h usual ly more thnn t wo-tif t hs t h e length ; dorsnl fin not deeply notched between the spinous n nd sott-r nyed portion ; scales Jnrger, 53 or fewer in lnte ral line . . . . . . . . . . . A 3

Minnows Cyprinidae

E:D

Upper ju w no t extending beyond the eye; n otch bet wl-'en spin on s nnd sott-rnyed clo rsnl not deep; scale rows 011 cheek f rom 15 to 18

Dorsnl fin preceded by free dorsal spines Stick lebacks Gaster osteidae

Smnllmouth Bnss illicropt.erus dolomieui

Dor sal fin not preceded by free dor sal spines

Lacepede

Ilod;v scnleless, bu t mn y be co,·ered with spines or J)Fick les : h end l arge; eyes in top of head : pectora l tins la rge

-Upper ju w extending beyond eye : notch between spinous a nd soft -rayed dorsal deep; scale rows on cheek from 10 to 11 r ows

Sculpin Lnrgemouth Bass

Cottidae

i1licropterus salnioide8 Body w ith scales ... . .... . . . .•...•.... . • .. .. .

-~=~

-~.

~ S ing le medin u lm rbel on ch i~

Annl Silines 5 or mor e, body speck led

Burbot (cus k ) Illnck Cra p pie

Gad·i dae

Pomoxis n'igromaculatus

(LeSueu r )

No ba r bel on chin . .. . . . .. •..•. .. , . . . • . . • . . • . .

Lacepede

An ni spi nes 2 or less

Perch

Anal spines 3, !Jod'y un iformly colored . . . .. •.... A4

Ear flap elonga t ed, dark Iledbrenst S unfish

P er cidae

Lepomis auriius (Lin naeus) Ann i spi nes 3 or more: the fi r st spi ne is shor t und sometimes Uifficult to obser ve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Eur flup s hort, wi th bright red tip

Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Lepom:is gibbos1,s (Linnaeus)

Dor sal fins entirely sepn ru ted or but slightly Joi ned

Group B: WHITEFISH FAMILY (Coregonidae) , v11 ite P erch Ser ranidae

K c.v lo the two members of the whitefish fnmily found in

1\Inine Body nearly cylinc.lricnl (chub-l ike i11 shape); a single Hai> IJetweeu the nos t rils

n ound " "hi tefish

Pro opium. cylindraceus

D orsal Hus continent; withou t longitudinnl dnrk s tripes or wi t h only 011e

(Pallas) Ilody more conw,essed (flnttenecl fro111 sicle to side); a tlonblc Hap l.let h·een t he nostrils

Sunfis hes Centr a,·cltfrl.ae

Go to Group A

Luke Whi tefish Corcgonus clupeaformis

(Mitchill )

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976

Group C: SALMON FAMILY (Salmonidae) K ('y

to thC' m:111:v speC'ier-- of f-nlmon :\Jaine

and

trout found

Cl l'.:::::J

C'amla l tin deepJ~- forked ; la rge whitish spots 011 bn t l{1. .:To111ul of clarker col or; no r ed s pots: fins 1111colorccl: J;l'Hcral color 11s11ally dark gmy

D ori,;:nt fin seldom i-::potted: anal fin longer thnn high

with 13 or more cte,·elo ped rnys

Pacific Silver ~n l mon

Lnkr Trout

011corh11ncllus 1.;isutch

,\'of rc lin"s 11ama11c 1tsl1 ( \\'albn111111

( \\'albnum)

Caudal tiu li ttle fork ed ; red or or a nge spots : uo

bluck spots

Bln c k or r ed i,;:pots ( At1antic snlmon up to two

.. . .. ... . .. ... . . . . . .. . . . . .. . .

:n~an~

h:n·C' a few red s po ts) : ,·omer (bon e in ccntC'r of roo f of the m outh ) with n plain r,.huft bearing t eeth

c:~

in altematc rows: scales constlicuons . . . .

ObYiou s t..lark. waYy, "·orm-like lines 011 the back

Brook Tront Safvelim.t8 f o11ti11alis ( ~fi tchill)

Gra;r o r red ~pots: vomC'r <bone in center of roof of tlw mouth I

with r,;.haft d ef)ressecl.

toothed only on

antt·rior e ncl ; scales incons picnoHs

C5 No ob,·ions

<lnrk,

wn,·:r, worm-like lines 011 th e

....

or l O

Dack Orowni$!! color :-d: a n:1! fin r:1ys usually S S11n:1pee Trout Sali:elinus aurcol us Benn

Hnck llnrk hlne; nnnl fin rn :rs 11snal1y Blnebnck Tront

Salvclimts oq'llassa (G irnnl) Y o1111'rinc teet h little cl en•lo pe<I with those on the shaf t of the bone few and dN·idnon s

Atlnutic or

•( I t is lli!Ji cult to find dist inctiYc cliffrrences hC' t wrC'n thrse 1,vo trou t . A t lenst one ic hth,rolol,!ist iR i11<· li1w1l t o lu1111, tl1e111 fO.l!Pther n:-: pop11J:1tio11s of .A ret ie c har. SatveUnus al pi nus (Linnaeus). )

Group D: PERCH FAMILY (Percidae)

La11dl ockctl Snl111011

Salmo salar Linnaeus

K e.r to th e flyo• me m bers of tlie pe r c h

fomil y found

) Ja ine PreopercJe• 0 strougly toothed or saw-like: large; fishes of 111cdi11111 to lnrge size

( I chthyologist s do no{ presentl y cous ic..Icr that there are enough u11ato111ical dill'e rcnces 1Jetwee11 th e Atlant ic and lnmllock-ed salmon to distinguish be t,Yecu thc 111 011 n ~ubspecific le vel. ,

1110 11th

Yellow Perch

Yomerine !eeth we ll cle,e lOPl'cl, numerous and persis te nt i II a tlonlJle or zig-zag row C4

P er ea f lai:esceus ()[itc h ill )

Preope rclc with s mooth e d ge: 111011th s mall; s 111 nll fisl1('s 11ot c xcec1li11,:: 3 inc hes

, 'wn,np llartC' r liJlheosto nui f u:~ifoi·mc

r:::-1 t.:..:J

(Giranl } fin hr n,·iJ~, s potted with IJlnck: adipose tin ~potted Ol' marg-ined with blac k: no red spots. R ed ~tripes 011 the sides of the bod~' and gi ll covers or ~p:l\n1i11g males Unring th e e nrl.r spring t11rni11g to a faint piuk band the re111ai11der of the l·e nr

Cnrnlal

Rainbow '! ' rout

Snlmo gairdncri R icll nr<l80ll

C:111dal tin n ot i:,;pottetl with hlnC'k: :Hlipuse fin JJJal'J.!i ned with red or orange, m•,·cr with IJlack; gene ral color hrmn1 ish .rel low Bro wn Trout Sa lmo trutta Linnnens

• Y,•llow wnll e .,·e pikP wPrP i11ti-0<111cecl 1111 ~11r cessfull~· into th e B e lJ!rnd.e L nk cs ulJont 40 or 50 .renrs ngo . Great !'one.I, the si t e of the origi nal introduction, hits 1>rollucec.l some spear fishing h:r night on t h e .s pa wn ing- g-rounds . No w nlle.res were clleckccl III tlw r:itches d11ri11J.! H recc u t census of the nngl in.!! 011 G re at P oml. Although the wn lleycs were reported t o han• 111igr11tell in to Long am\ Snow pouds, thf' Y tlo

uot enter the sport fi:-.her.r. 'l'he ~·ellow wnlle:re is the largest 111c111ber of tliP 11e rc:h family and cn n I.Je rcco.i;nized lJy t he l:ir.:;c cu11i11e- typc teeth~ ,:i oF.dgc o f Uone in frout of IJony g ill co,·e r.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Summer 1976