Maine Fish and Wildlife Magazine, Spring 1978 by Maine State Library

MAINE FISH AND \VILDLIFE

Governor James B. Longley

Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

STATE OF MAINE Vol. 20, No. 2

Spring 1978 Maynard F. Marsh J. William Peppard Kenneth H. Anderson David 0. Locke Alanson B. Noble Lyndon H. Bond Ralph C. Will Robert W. Boettger William C. Mincher Clayton 0. Grant Richard B. Parks Lorenzo J. Gaudreau Alfred L. Meister

Commissioner Deputy Commissioner Director, Planning and Co-ordination Supt. of Hatcheries Chief Warden Chief, Fishery Division Business Manager Chief, Wildlife DivisionDirector, Information and Education Chief, Engineering Division Chief, Realty Division Director, Recreational Safety and Registration Chief Biologist, Atlantic Salmon Commission

Advisory Council Dr. Alonzo H. Garcelon, Chairman Augusta, Maine Ralph L. Noel Auburn

Nathan Cohen E.astport

Rodney W. Ross Brownville

Robert E. Moore Casco

George E. Prentiss Rumford

Dennis L. Smith Otter Creek

Maine Fish anti 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, &litor W. Thomas Shoener, Managing Editor Thomas J. Chamberlain, Features Editor William W. Cross, Photo Editor Thomas L. Carbone, Photographer Patricia J. Hogan, Circulation Phyllis M. Norton, Circulation Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 1978. Written permission must be secured from the Department before reproducing any part of this copyrighted material.

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Subscription rates to U.S. zip code addresses: $2.50 for one year; $4.00 for two years, $5.50 for three years. No stamps, please. Second class postage paid at Augusta, Maine 04330. Publication Number 326280.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Fishing Season Review

Wildlife Management Areas: Sandy Point

Catch 'Em Bigger Later

Let 'Em Go To Sea

Alfred L. Meister

Where To Put In

Marshall T. Wiebe

Maine Streamer Flies, Part 1

Peter G. Walker

Remote Ponds: Protecting Special Places

Paul R. Johnson

KID-BITS

Maine Rivers: The Penobscot

Richard E. Cutting

What Mallards Mean To Maine

Howard E. Spencer, Jr.

Engineering Sex In Fish

Stan Allen, Jr.

Where To Find Us

Letters, Notes, Comment

Eugene Dumont

THE COVERS Front: Maine fly tiers Jed in the development of streamer flies, and

many of their patterns have achieved wide recognition. Some of the more famous Maine-originated streamer flies comprise this issue's colorful front cover. They were tied by Fishery Biologist Peter Walker and composed and photographed by Photographer Tom Carbone. A key to their identification is on page 16. The first article of a two-part series on the history of Maine's streamer flies begins on page 14. Spring is the break-out season when the cycle of life for another year really begins. Open water fishing on a nice spring day (inside front cover, by Tom Carbone) ... a porcupine working his way to a meal of juicy new bark (inside back, by Bill Cross) . . . and the return of Canada geese to Maine (back cover, by Tom Carbone) all these activities signal the welcome spurt of enthusiasm that comes every spring.

Catching this 20-pound Atlantic salmon earned Paul Wagstaff of Damariscotta a membershio in The One That Didn't Get Away Club.

ports, there were a lot of good fishing memories filed away during the '77 season. of Maine fishing for some anglers A comes in qualifying for membership SPECIAL

MAINE F1SHING9 ~77 F MAINE'S 1978 open water fishing season turns out to be nothing more than a repeat of last year, few fishermen will be disappointed. For 1977 was a year of many angling highlights - the kind of season that in years to come might well be remembered as "the good old days." Any mention of the top features of the '77 season would have to include the Atlantic salmon results as well as the continued improvement of fishing at Moosehead and in the Rangeley lakes, famous fishing waters that have suffered through some lean years but are once again looking good. Maine's Atlantic salmon fishermen enjoyed one of their best seasons in a long time. Leading all salmon rivers in 1977 was the Penobscot with 182 fish reported caught - the highest rod catch figure since salmon run restoration efforts were begun and

the fourth highest sport fishing catch ever on that river. The Narraguagus River yielded 134 salmon, nearly a four-fold increase over the previous year and one of the highest rod catch figures ever. Anglers also reported catching 50 Atlantic salmon on the Union River, 26 on the Denny , 50 on the Machias and East Machias, 24 on the Sheepscot, and a few each on several other rivers. Chief Biologist Al Meister of the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission attributes the exceptionally good fishing in large part to ideal water levels and fishing conditions during June, when most of the fish were caught. Of course, there are many aspects of a good fishing season that cannot be reduced to numbers and weights. They are stored in the minds of those who enjoyed them on the scene and will be brought out and re-lived again and again in the future. From all re-

HIGHLIGHT

in The One That Didn't Get Away Club. The Club, sponsored by the Maine Sportsman monthly hunting and fishing publication, is a traditional and respected form of recognition bestowed on fishermen who catch extraordinarily large fresh-water fish in Maine. Most anglers are happy to qualify for Club membership once in a lifetime, and although making it more than once is not all that unusual, something that happened in 1977 is: a fisherman qualified for Club membership 8 times in one season. Not only did James Bruno of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, catch 8 qualifying largemouth bass in 1977, he caught them in a period of 5 weeks and all from the same body of water, North Pond in Rome. Between June 19 and July 26, Mr. Bruno caught 8 bass ranging from 5 to 6Y2 pounds. He doubled up on two days, July 4 and 8, catching 2 Club bass in the same day. Pretty good bass fishing. Pretty good bass fisherman! Other recent news from The One That Didn't Get Away Club includes major changes in the entry qualifications. Irving Richardson of Yarmouth, publisher of the Maine Sportsman, announced that most of the qualifying weights for the various fish species have been changed "to reflect the realities of fishing in Maine today." The most significant change is that the contest now recognizes two species of bass. In the past, the Club lumped largemouth and smallmouth bass together as "black bass" on the basis that most anglers couldn't tell the two species apart. This is no longer believed a big problem. Under the new Club rules, in order to qualiMaine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

gists carry Club registration cards. Each qualifying angler is awarded a jacket patch and a \\'allet card to signify the accomplishment. Further information about the Club can be obtained by writing to the Maine Sportsman, Box 507, Yarmouth, Maine 04096.

fy, a largemouth bass must weigh 7 pounds; a smallmouth, 5 pounds. For the rest of the species, the weights for qualifying have either been reduced or remain the same. The new minimum qualifying weights are as follows: Landlocked salmon, 6 pounds. Brown trout, 6 pounds. Rainbow trout, 5 pounds. Brook trout, 4 pounds. Pickerel, 4 pounds. Lake trout (togue), 15 pounds. Atlantic salmon, 15 pounds. White perch, 2 pounds. All Maine fish and wildlife wardens and regional fisheries biolo-

NE OTHER noteworthy event of 1977 was the setting of a new state record for cusk. The new record is a 15-pound, 12-ounce, cusk caught through the ice February 2, at Jordan's Bay, Sebago Lake, by

THE ONE THAT DIDN'T GET AWAY CLUB FOR 1977 The Fish

Brook trout

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The Angler

Robert S. Briggs, Bangor, Me.

5-6

4/10

Brown trout

NONE ENTERED IN 1977

Rainbow trout

NONE ENTERED IN 1977

Lake trout

Charles Pomeroy. Fairfield Ctr., Me .

Landlocked salmon

Ru sell W. Glidden, No. Windham. Me . Leslie Flanders, Bingham, Me. Frank Harri s, E. Hartford, Conn . Willi Cyr, Waterbury, Conn.

9 8-14 8-12 8-8

Atlantic salmon

Robert B. Strong, Lynn, Mass. H . Paul Wagstaff, Damari cotta, Me. Gene Mallory. Machias, Me. Harold Lothrop, Gouldsboro, Me . Allan Gay, Jonesboro. Me.

20-5 20 19-15 17-IO 16-14

Black bass

James Hill. V/aldoboro, Me . Joseph Bolduc, Lewiston, Me. Nelson Lavigne, Winthrop, Me. Philip A . Koury , Jr., Unity, Me. James J . Staszewski, Richmond. Me. Kenneth E. Shephard. Litchfield, Me . John Strassenreiter. Westbury, N.Y.

8-12 8-3 8 7-12 7-12 7-8 7-8

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

TOP FISH IN EACH CATEGORY Where Caught

Lure

Lob ter Lake

Dardevle

33 \/i

8/2

Allagash Lake

cut bait

31 27 Y2 26IJ 28

6/11 4/15 8/7 6/20

Scraggly Lake Kennebec River St. George Lake Long Lake. Madawa ka

sewed bait streamer fly Rebel -

6/11 6/5 6/7 6/)2 6/23

Narraguagus River Sheepscot River East Machias River Narraguagus River East Machias R iver

Herb Johnson No . 4 Cosseboom Shirley Spec. fly

2/22 7/12

South Pond. Warren Cobbosseecontee Lake Annabessacook Lake Winnecook Lake Pleasant Pond, Richmond Cobbossee Stream Quantabacook Pond

minnow Pug-no e Rapala p.irple worm Big "O" Rapala Shakespeare Shaker

Sebago Lake Stickney River Peabody Pond Long Pond, Belgrade Webber Pond

live smelt silver spoon Black Ghost purple worm shiner

38 36 36

25 26\/i 24 21 22th 23 24

7/7 5/3 5/21 8/21

NONE ENTERED IN 1977

White perch

Pickerel

Edward M. O'Brien of South Casco. The fish was 39 inches long. Cusk are deep-living, fresh-water cousins of codfish. More and more fishermen are discovering that although cusk are not very pretty, they are excellent table fare and are easy to catch and quite abundant in some lakes. Listed below are some of the 1977 members of The One That Didn't Get Away Club. Under some categories there were no entries last year, while under others there were more than can be listed here, in which case only the top few are presented.

R. Thomas Powell. West Peru, Me. Patricia Y. Hatch, So. Windham, Me . Richard L. Amirault. Kennebunk, Me. Daniel A. Veilleux. Winslow, Me. Timothy Caron. Waterville, Me .

Spring 1978

5-13 5-2 4-10 4-9 4-8

28 29 26 27 27

2/19 4/22 9/24 7/28 2/26

Wildlife Management Areas

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DY POINT

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By Eugene Dumont

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ANDY POINT Wildlife Management Area, Stowers Meadows, or the Old Muskrat Farm; call it what you wish, it remains a truly interesting piece of real estate. It is located in Stockton Springs, Waldo County, 15 miles north of Belfast and easily accessible off U.S. Route No. 1. The Penobscot River lies a stone's throw to the east, and the Howard Mendall Wildlife Management Area (Marsh Stream in Prospect and Frankfort) can be found about two miles northwest. So, strategically located between the salt marsh of Marsh Stream and the tidal Penobscot, Sandy Point is especially valuable as a fresh-water wetland containing excellent nesting and feeding habitat for waterfowl, while providing recreational opportunity for the sportsman and general public. It is typical of many of the Department's management areas, in that the upland and wetland parcels were

Assistant Regional Biologist

purchased through federal funds made Âˇavailable by the Pittman-Robertson Act. However, the history of this area before its acquisition proves an interesting story. In the early 1900s, several parcels that make up the marsh area had been originally consolidated for the cutting of marsh hay which was valuable for packing crockery. In 192.7, the Penobscot Breeding and Fur Company purchased Stowers Meadows from Charles Worth and constructed a dam for development as a muskrat farm.

The perimeter of the wetland was fenced to eliminate muskrat emigration (present day wildlife managers realize that this is unnecessary), and plans were made to reap a modest profit from farming muskrats. However, due to lack of experience in fur farming, insufficient numbers of muskrats were harvested during the first few years of operation. The population expanded beyond the carrying capacity, an "eat-out" occurred, and the muskrat population at Sandy Point practically disappeared. For the next IO years, muskrats at the farm

A view from the bridge looking northerly from the newly renovated dam and spillway across the expanse of Stowers Meadows.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

were protected, yet they failed to return to harvestable numbers. In 1940, the farm went bankrupt, and the mortgage was foreclosed in 1941. Another prospective muskrat farmer purchased the property and eventually sold it in its entirety to this Department in 1953. Our first development monies were spent to recondition the old dam which had been unable to retain adequate water levels for several years. The area itself consists of a relatively level expanse of fresh wetland surrounded by hilly forest land. Wetland portions are primarily a sedge-meadow/ bog complex with alders bordering the edges. A steep hill along the eastern boundary separates Sandy Point from the Penobscot River and contains rock outcroppings, steep bluffs, and a shallow, stony soil, while the slope on the western side of the wetland is much more gradual., containing mixed forest growth. A total of 540 acres are found within the confines of the Sandy Point Wildlife Management Area. Wetlands account for some 350 acres, while upland habitat consists of approximately 190 acres of mixed forest types. Predominant species include alder, maple, beech, birch, aspen, white pine, hemlock, cedar, and spruce.

Above, a view of the original dam from downstream. Rocks are bare on both sides of the narrow sluiceway where earth has been washed away by overflow. Below, the newly renovated structure, affording much greater control of water levels.

visitors may have noticed R ecent the newly constructed spillway and rebuilt sluice gate completed in 1976 by the Department's Engineering Division. This structure has greatly improved our ability to maintain optimum high water level conditions for waterfowl and furbearers. The old structure, because of its design, was a cause of many "headaches," and on several occasions, extreme high water coupled with erosion rendered the dam useless. This in turn resulted in inopportune drawdowns, hardly a good situation for managing a wetland. Fortunately, this new structure provides for water level stability by shedding excess water quickly. Numerous species of wildlife can be observed by the naturalist or sought by the hunter in season, inMaine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

eluding the usual species of waterfowl, such as black ducks, mallards, green and blue-winged teal, ringnecked ducks, wood ducks, hooded mergansers, goldeneyes, buffleheads, Canada geese, several species of shore birds, a variety of song birds, and birds of prey. The upland por-

tion provides habitat for deer, woodcock, grouse, snowshoe hare, squirrels, and various non-game mammals and birds. The trapper, too, will find the usual assortment of furbearers, including beaver, muskrat, mink, otter, raccoon, and fox in the wetland and its fringes. 7

The fisheries here are quite limited. Though an occasional brook trout may be caught, the area is more popular as a source of bait fish, with shiners being the primary target. Sandy Point is an integral part of the regional duck nesting box program. Wildlife Technician James Dorso maintains 24 nesting boxes there with tremenctous success now that water levels are again stabilized. During the 1977 nesting season, 23 boxes served as homes for wood ducks or hooded mergansers, with 18 of these actually producing successful broods of wild ducks. The lone remaining box had five young American kestrels (sparrow hawks) hatch, leaving no boxes on the area unused. Plans are to add several more boxes annually until the carrying capacity is reached. HIS AREA ALSO SERVED as one of the wetland test sites under a project Titled "Waterfowl Habitat Control and Improvement Methods" running from 1957 through 1964. It consisted of a series of experiments to evaluate techniques employed to enhance or control the value of certain wetland types for waterfowl. This was a rather intensive project, and various techniques and methods were applied to the sedge meadow wetland. It was determined that burning as a wetland management tool can be valuable in removing accumu ated vegetation before cultivation of waterfowl food plantings. Various metnods of sod preparation were emp oyed, including mowing, p owing, harrowing, rototilling, herbiciding, fertilizing, and liming, with varying degrees of success. In addition, different machinery available for these methods was investigated, and those devices with the greatest number of desirable characteristics for wetland management in Maine were recommended for future uses. Also, numerous experimental "food patches" were planted, such as wild rice, millet, buckwheat, and clovers; they were evaluated as well. It should be pointed out that some of these methods and techniques experimented with at

Wood duck boxes such as this (note predator guard below box) are in use extensively at Sandy Point now, and plans are to add new ones each year. The boxes are bui It to fairly exact specifications, and many are erected by sportsmen 's organizations co-operatively with this Department.

Sandy Point have been used as habitat management tools on many other state-owned wildlife management areas. One would expect that since the new dam has been constructed and the nesting box program is experienc:::ing great success, managing Sandy Point Wildlife Management Area is without its problems. Not so! Since the nature of the wetland is a sedgemeadow/bog complex, which has been flooded with higher water, it is not unusual for a mass of floating bog to break away and become a "bog island" which eventually finds its way to the damsite. These islands completely seal off the spillway - requiring heavy equipment to clear the dam and allow water flowage again. And, it seems that when there are no islands blocking the spillway, then

our friend, the beaver, has shut off the flow. We have routinely experienced numerous "nuisance" beaver problems at the dam site and also at the large culverts downstream at Route No. 1 for several years now, even though much trapping effort has been directed there. In addition, in 1977, man was a problem. Wildlife Technician Dorso reported that several wood duck eggs had been stolen from the nesting boxes, presumably for resale. This, of course, is a federal law violation punishable by steep fines. Inspite of these "minor" problems, active management plans for Sandy Point Wildlife Management Area are being carried out to insure that the primary objective of maintaining favorable habitat conditions for waterfowl is fulfilled, while providing recreational opportunity for the many varied interests involved. If you are familiar with any other Department-owned wildlife management areas, then surely you will not be any less impressed with Sandy Point. And if you are not familiar with any of these unique areas, then I am sure that your first visit will be â&#x20AC;˘ a pleasant surprise. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Catch ·em Bigger...Later By Paul R. Johnson Fishery Biologist Game fish, especially small salmon and trout, will survive when you release them properly. Your fishing methods and the way you handle the fish you release make a real difference in determining their survival. • The fish you release must be turned loose as quickly as possible. The longer it is out of water, the greater the possibility the fish will die. Be careful not to squeeze the fish when handling it. • When a small fish swallows your hook, cut the leader close to the fish's head and release it quickly. Strong stomach acids will quickly dissolve a hook. Why save a penny hook and kill a game fish that will be worth much more if it can live and grow to legal size? Nickel-plated, bronze, and blued hooks break down more easily than stainless steel or gold-plated hooks and are preferable when fish are released by snipping leader material. • The larger hooks are harder for fish to swallow, thereby reducing possibilities of internal damage. They are also easier for fishermen to grasp. Long nose pliers or similar tools usually make hooks easier and safer to grasp; hence, small fish can be quickly released. • Bait fishermen (summer or winter): Hook sizes number 4 or larger are recommended. • Lure fishermen: Lures with large hooks (number 6 or larger) are recommended. • Fly fishermen: Barbless fly hooks do hold large fish very well, and they are easier to remove from small fish.

Easy to carry, a fingernail clipper is easy to use in snipping leaders close to a fish's head. A pair of forceps or long-nosed pliers are handy for removing hooks that have not been swallowed by the fish.

BE A GOOD SPORTSMAN. PLEASE RELEASE GAME FISH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! Filing the barb off a hook will make it much easier to remove while remaining very effective in holding fish.

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

Is it a small salmon ... or a trout? Knowing the difference is important. Gentle handling and quick release will help assure that small fish will live and grow larger.

NOWING how to tell a small

Chief Biologist Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission

are uniformly colored a pale, brassy yellow or deep charcoal. At streamside with a fish in your hands, you might take one look, see red spots on its sides, and creel it. Better look again. Both brook trout and young salmon have red spots along their sides, as well as vertical bars called parr marks. But trout have yellow and orange spots as well as red, and the spots are usually surrounded by a light blue halo. Salmon have only red and black spots with no halo. As young salmon grow and prepare to migrate to the sea, they assume a silvery coat that may hide the bars and red spots, but the black spots can still be seen. These young salmon are known as smolts. Another distinguishing feature is the size o the scales which are quite large, well formed , and easily seen on salmon, but small and not readily apparent on brook trout.

trout from a small salmon (not legal-sized below fourteen inches in most of Maine) is well worthwhile, for two reasons. First, it would be embarrassing to explain an error to a warden or even to a fellow angler; and, second, killing young salmon strikes a blow to the Atlantic salmon restoration program in Maine. But these errors happen each year, and many young salmon (parr) are creeled in the belief that they are brook trout or some other variety of trout. Also, young Atlantic salmon found in coastal rivers and streams can't be told, at this stage of their lives, from the young landlocked salmon common to many inland lakes. I've heard them called sea-run trout, splake, rainbows, browns, silver trout, speckled chub, and almost anything but what they are.

How about you? Can you tell a six-inch salmon from a six-inch brook trout? If I handed you a fish in black and white instead of the vivid colors of the brook trout, would you recognize it? Take a good look at the illustration . Which one is the trout? Look at the caudal fin (tail), almost square in the brook trout (hence the name square-tail) but well forked on the young salmon. Now look at the rest of the fish. Trout have many dark, worm-like lines on the dorsal fin and all over the back. Salmon have black spots on the back, and these spots are seldom present on the dorsal fin. The other (paired) fins of the brook trout have a snow-white front edge followed by a parallel black line, but the fins of the salmon

HIS YEAR, if you catch a young salmon, put it back m the water and give it a chance to grow up. Be careful not to squeeze the fish when you take it off the hook. If you or your angling pals are interested in learning more about the fish you see on your trips afield, why not write the Fish and Wildlife Department. Ask for a copy of the booklet "Fishes of Maine." It costs $1.50 per copy, and it contains a world of information for your angling pleasure. Also available, for 25 cents, is a suitable-for-framing, full color poster of Maine's cold water game fish - just the thing for your den! To order, send only check or money order (payable to Treasurer, State of Maine) to: Maine Fish and Wildlife Dept., 284 State St., Augusta, ME 04333.

Let 'em go to sea! By Alfred L. Meister

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Salmon Parr and Brook Trout The small salmon (top, right) has black spots on its back - occasionally on its dorsal fin, too - and has red spots as well. It has several bars or parr marks (9 to 11) on its sides, and its body fins are uniformly colored. The scales are quite large, well formed and easily seen. The brook trout may have parr marks on its sides, too. Besides having red spots, it usually has yellow and orange ones, often ringed with light blue. Other good signs of a trout are the dark, wavy lines on the back and dorsal fin, the white front edges of the body fins, and the squared tail. Trout scales are less conspicuous than those of the salmon.

Salmon Parr

Brook Trout

Salmon Smolt and Brook Trout

Salmon Smolt

Brook Trout

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

The salmon smolt (top, left) is a more slender, silvery fish than the salmon parr or the trout. It has black spots on its back and perhaps on its dorsal fin, but its red spots may be subdued by the silver coloration. It doesn't have the wavy lines on its back like the trout; it doesn't have yellow or orange spots on its sides; and it doesn't have the white front edge on its body fins like the trout. The salmon smolt's tail is usually well forked and charcoal colored. Parr marks may show on the smolt's sides, but they are faint or covered completely. Compared to trout scales, the smolt's scales are large, well formed and more easily seen, and may rub off easily.

WHERE TO

PUT IN By Marshall T. Wiebe Director, Information and Education Maine Department of Con ervation

HOUSANDS of small boat enthu ia t have di covered the advantages of trailer mounted, small craft during the past few years. The mobility offered by the trailered boat is limited only by the availability of water access points. With proper access, it's possible to fi hone of Maine's 2,000 great ponds for black bass one day and hit the coast for tripers the next. There is great variety in the type of boat access sites available in Maine. In ome instances, simple ramps provide access to water adjacent to the public highway rightof-way. Local organizations, uch as sportsmen's clubs, will sometimes maintain litter barrels at these locations a a public service. No one knows exactly how many of these informal sites there are, but it's certain they are important in the overall effort to provide access to Maine's multitude of waterways. Although the Conservation De-

partment's Bureau of Parks and Recreation has been constructing boat sites in state parks since the mid 1950s, the Public Facilities for Boats Program did not begin until 1963. This program is funded by a portion of the state tax on gasoline ( 1.2~er cent) combined with money from municipalities and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. Cumulative maintenance costs are teadily reducing the amount of money available for the construction of new access points. In 1973, 82 per cent of the funds available to the program were spent on new sites. This dropped to 60 per cent in 1976; and, by 1983, only 33 per cent of the program's dollars may be available for new site development. Herb Hartman, Director of the Bureau, sees a partial answer to the problem in increased co-operation with municipalities. "During 1977 ," he says, "we worked on 15 new sites. Only 4 of these will be owned and operated by the state. The others will be maintained locally." Unfortunately, vandalism has been a problem at some sites. Signs have

The Parks and Recreation Commission several years ago became the Bureau of Parks and Recreation in the Department of Conservation, but the well-made sign continues as is, until it's time for repainting or replacement.

been stolen, toilet buildings destroyed, and, in one instance, a wharf burned. Citizens who make prompt reports of suspicious behavior have helped police apprehend vandals in some instances. Hartman encourages towns and organizations interested in providing boat access to contact the Bureau of Parks and Recreation. Recently, when the Bureau, in co-operation with the Maine Association of Conservation Commissions, surveyed Maine's municipalities concerning boat access needs, about 40 towns expressed positive interest. "In the long run," says Hartman, "the users of boat sites will determine how much boat access is available. If towns and local organizations join us in finding ways of using available resources creatively, we should be able to meet the demand for the foreseeable future." D Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

State Sponsored .And .Assisted Boat Launching Sites

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Town in or near Acton Acton

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1-10

D-11

E- 11 1-10

L L

Monmouth

Cochnewagon Lake

D- 11

Monmouth

Wilson Pond

D- 11

D- 12

Mt. Vernon

Echo Lake

D-10 S

E- 10 E- 10 C- 13

S S S

Mt. Vernon Mt. Vernon

Long Pond Taylor Pond

F F

H G

D-10 D-10

S S

L L S S

New Limerick Newport

Drews Lake Sebasticook Lake

F F

H H

1-5 F-9

S L

No. New Portland

Embden Pond

D-9

Norway

Pennesseewassee Lake

C- 11

F-12 _..J)- 12 B-12 E-12

Orland

Toddy Pond

G-1 0 S

S L

Orono

Pushaw Lake

G-9

B- 12 D- 12

D-12

Portaae Portland

Portage Lake Casco Bay

F T

H H

H-2 C-13

L L

Presque Isle

F,S C-12 D-1 0 E- 12

S L

Presaue Isle Ranaelev

Echo Lake Presque Isle Stream Rangeley Lake

F F F

H H H

1-3 1-3 8-9

S L S

1-6 B-12

L L

Readfield

Marahacook Lake

D-11

Readfield

Torsey Pond

D-10

F-7 H-1

Richmond

Kennebec River

E- 11

Robbinston

T T

H H

K-8

F- 11

S L

Biddeford

Saco River

Boothbay

Linekin Bay

Bowdoinham Bri dgton

Cathance River Long Lake

T F

H H

Bristol

PemaQuid River Saco River

T F

Brunswick

New Meadows River Middle Bay

T T

H H

Casco Chesterville

Sebago Lake Egypt Pond

F F

Damaris cotta Danforth

Damariscotta River Grand Lake

T F

H H

Denmark Dover-Foxcroft

Hancock Pond Sebec Lake

F F

H H

Eagle take

Eagle Lake

Rockoort

L L

St . Aaatha

Long Lake

H-1

St. Georae

Port Clyde

F-12

C- 13

St. George

TenantsHarbor

F-12

D- 10

H- 1

Scarboroucih Searsmont Searsoort Skowheaan

Nonesuch River Quantabacook Pond Searsport Harbor

T F T

H G H

A P

C-13 F-10 G-10

S S L

Kennebec River

E-9

Piscataqua River

Ellsworth

Union River

Fa lm outh

Highland lake

Fayette

Tilton Pond

Fort Kent

Black Lake

F.S

-'-F-'-ry._e_b_u_r... Q'--- - - - .;;;.. lo;;_v_e_w_e _l_l. c. .P. :. o_n..c. .d_ _ _+-F ' ---'H -'--_ _ _ ____::B;;_-..:..1::.2_=-L--1 Fryeburg Saco River F B-11 S Gardiner Kennebec River T H A E- 11 L

F,S A

Hope

Alford Lake

Jonesport

Chandler Bay

Lamoine Lamoine

Frenchman's Bay Frenchman ' s Bay

T T

H H

Liberty

Lake St. George

i.imestone Lincoln

Trafton Lake Mattanawcook Lake

F F

H H

E-7 E- 11

S S

Stockton Springs

Stockton Harbor

G-10

Swans Island

Jericho Bay

H- 11

E-9

Townshio " C" Union

Richardson Lake Seven Tree Pond

F F

H H

8-9 F- 11

L L

F-11

J-10

Unity

Sandy Stream

H-10

Vanceboro

lacoute Lake

H-10 F- 10 1-2

S L

L L

Vanceboro Vassalboro Verona Vinalhaven

Spednik lake Three Mile Pond Penobscot River Isle Au Haut Bay

F F T T

H H H H

Waterboro Weld

Little Ossi ppee Pond Webb Lake

F F

H H

West Paris Westport Island Winthrop

Moose Pond Sheepscot River Maranacook Lake

F T F

H H H

Woodstock

Bryant Pond

Lincoln

Penobscot River

Linneus Litchfield

Nickers9n Lake Woodbury Pond

F F

H H

1-5 D- 11

Lubec Madison

Johnson Bay Wesserunsett Lake

T F

H H

Medway

Penobscot River

K-9 E-9 H-6

Smith_fi_1e;_ldc;..__ _ _ _N _ o_rt_h_P _o_n_d_ _ _ _ _+-F--= G'--_ _ _ _ _E_- l_O__S_ So. Orrington Penobscot River T H A G-9 S

F.S F,S F,S

1-6

H-7 H-7

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

F,S

K-9

Cobscook Bay

F,S

B- 15 H- 10

Edmunds Twp.

Great Moose Lake

St. Croix River Rockport Harbor

Eliot

Hartland

A A F,S A

ai +-

C II .,_e ·c ~

Water H

H H H H

H H

~ ~

Town in or near

T T F F

CII

u..

cu _,

Narraguagus River

F T

~ II

Cobbosseecontee Lake

Kennebec River

Moosehead lake Kennebec River

Monmouth

Frenchman's Bay Kennebec River Great Pond Messalonskee Lake

Wytopitlock Lake

§ ai

·c II

e _,

c~ ~

o... c

Milbridge

bar Harbor Bath

Greenville HalloJwell

o E

Augusta

Glenwood Pit.

H H

Brun sw ick

C11

CII

)(

CII

]

B-1 3

F F

Brownfield

00.

*Co-ordinates for 1978 Maine Dept. of Transportation map.

B-1 3

Grea t East Lake Horn Pond

Belgrad e Belgrade

..>tf.

F-10

J-6

J-6 E-10 G- 10 G- 12

S S S L

8- 13 C-9

S S

C-1 1 E-12 D- 11

S L

8-10

MAINE STREAMER FLIES

By Peter G. Walker

Maine fishermen and fig tiers have plaged a keg role in the history of streamer flies. Part one of a two part article traces the origin of the earlg costing streamers.

found in early literature about the Rangeleys.

PORT FISHING is for those with leisure time . So it was that ~y fishing , with all its tradition and finery , was almost unknown during this country's first three-quarters of a century. Men were just too poor and too bu y to pursue the noble art. It wasn't until after the Civil War that

Fishery Biologist

For perhaps the first time in history, a wilderness area was opened up not by pioneering farmers, but by fly fishermen! While a few innovative anglers in England and upstate New York were experimenting with dry flies, the vast majority of fly fishermen in

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c..

fly fishing began to gain a following in the industrialized Northeast. By that time, much of the quality trout fishing in New York, Pennsylvania, and southern New England had already disappeared. Unfortunately, man, in his pursuit of affluence through industrial expansion, all too often destroyed his recreational prospects in the process. Thus, America's fledgling fly fishing fraternity was forced farther and farther afield in search of quality trout fishing . They were not long in finding it. By the late 1860s, tales of fabulous brook trout from Maine's Rangeley wilderness began to draw rich sportsmen north from the cities. In a relatively short time, a tremendous recreational industry sprang up. 14

The late Herb Welch of Oquossoc is credited by many with the creation of the first streamer fly. The Black Ghost is among his more famous patterns.

the nineteenth century used traditional wet flies. Such patterns as the colorful Silver Doctor and Montreal were the general rule. One of the first of the Rangeley area's many fly patterns was a wet fly - the Parmachenee Belle. Guides would row their clients from place to place in classic doubleender boats while these "sports" cast their wet flies into deep pools or along windward shores for huge and fabulously abundant brook trout. Several references to trout weighing 11 and 12 pounds - much larger than the modern state record - are

ROUND1900,LANDLOCKED SALMON, introduced by man, began to replace the native brook trout. Where the trout giants once fed on tiny native blueback trout, newcomer salmon were soon found in pursuit of introduced smelt. The bluebacks became extinct in the Rangeleys, while the brook trout receded to second place status. But the salmon is a grand game fish, and its appearance was not a disappointment to fly fishermen. The Rangeley chain maintained its popularity, and this excellent area attracted the best guides. Among them was Herbert Welch, a highly skilled artist, taxidermist, and one-time baseball player who moved to the Rangeleys around the turn of the century. Herb Welch was, above all else, a master fly tyer and fly fisherman. The creative genious of this celebrated sportsman, who studied art in France, was responsible for the founding of Maine's richest fishing tradition - the streamer fly. In the summer of 1902, Herb was contracted to guide an English angler on Kennebago Stream. The gentleman angler arrived with a collection of huge, colorful, Atlantic salmon flies. During those early years following the introduction of landlocked salmon in the Rangeleys, a need for a fly imitating a smelt had quickly become Âˇ evident. The stimulus of those long, gaudy feathers tied to 6/0 hooks triggered Herb's creativeness. Before the week of fishing with the Englishman was over, Herb Welch tied the first Maine streamer flies - an innovation which, during the next 40 years, would achieve a unique and respected status in the angling world. Modern streamers are usually tied on extra-long-shanked hooks. Yet 7 6 years ago, no such hooks were

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

available. Herb Welch solved the problem by reforging 4-to-5-inchlong hooks made for sharp-toothed, salt-water bluefish. To these modified hooks he tied the bright feathers from his client's Atlantic salmon flies. Although there is evidence that streamer flies were used in other parts of the country at an earlier date, there is every reason to believe that Herb Welch arrived at his invention independently of those other developments. HE FIRST rudimentary streamers apparently caught fi h very well. Gradually, other progressive fly fishermen began to experiment with them. Curiously enough, the first streamer pattern to gain enduring fame originated not in the Rangeley region but far across the state in northern Washington County. Mr. Ai W. Ballou of Winthrop, the last surviving pioneer of early Maine streamer fly development, witnessed the use of extremely crude streamers at Grand Lake Stream in 1918. An Indian guide

tied them for his sports right at streamside by simply lashing a single hen feather to a hook with a length of thread. Over the years, other, more professional fly tyers in the Grand Lake area added to and perfected the Grand Laker, as it came to be called. Those tied by this name today are far more refined and balanced. Yet there is no denying that those first rough prototypes took their share of fish. Ai Ballou, 85, began his annual fishing pilgrimages from North Digh-, ton, Mass., to Maine waters in 1914. By 1918, he became convinced that the streamer fly was the answer to consistently taking large Maine salmon and trout. During the years from I 918 to 192 I, he created hundreds of patterns, searching for the perfect combination. Then, in I 921 , he happened to notice the fluffy feathers attached to the hem of a woman friend's dress. The large, soft feath ers appeared to have the qualities he had been'searching for. Having persuaded the lady to part with the feathers (she was going to throw the

dress out, anyway), Ai sent a few to Joe Cavalier, a New York milliner. Mr. Cavalier identified the strange feathers as marabou or African stork down. He helped Ai arrange a shipment of one pound of the exotic feathers through an importer in Oregon. For those who have never een the proverbial pound of feathers, it is a vast quantity to say the least. Fiftyeight years later, Mr . Ballou is still tying flies with feathers from the original lot! Thus, in 1921, Ai Ballou became the inventor of the marabou streamer. His pattern, the Ballou Special, has achieved world recognition and is sold in England as well as the United States. Unlike other materials, marabou appears to expand and contract when it is jerked through the water. It is this life-like, " bre.1thing" quality that appeals to fish. Ai has caught hundreds, if not thousands, of Maine trout and salmon on the Ballou Special during his long fishing career. His best brook trout, a 7 pound 10 ouncer from Pierce Pond, hangs mounted on his living room wall in tribute to one of Maine's most noteworthy streamer flies . N THE 1920S, angling at Upper on the stream between Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Richardson Lake in the Rangeley chain was still in its heyday. In a summer cabin near the dam, Mrs. Carrie G. Stevens kept house while her husband, Wallace, guided sportsmen in the pool below the dam. Mrs. Stevens enjoyed fishing and, being a milliner by trade, had access to the variety of feathers used in fly tying. It was only natural that she should begin to experiment at tying flies. On July 1, 1924, Carrie postponed her chore to work on an idea she had for a gray streamer that would imitate a smelt. She attached

I Dam

Ai Ballou, now a Winthrop resident, invented the marabou streamer. The inset photo is of one of his first Ballou Specials. Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

her creation - crude when compared with her later streamers - to a leader and took it down to the dam for a tryout. Before the morning was over, Mrs. Stevens hooked and landed a 6 pound 11 ounce brook trout before an appreciative audience of wealthy sportsmen. It was only a matter of time before Carrie Stevens' streamers were in great demand especially that gray wonder that took the huge trout. The Gray Gho t, the world's most famous streamer fly, had been born. Carrie Stevens never received lessons or coaching from other fly tyers. Her methods, a closely guarded secret for many years, she developed through trial and error, with logic free from the prejudices of tradition. Consequently, her streamers have never been equalled in appearance balance, and durability. As if thi were not enough, Carrie was an artist as well. Her fly patterns exhibit an unexcelled blend of color and proportion. In all, Mr . Stevens invented more than 20 treamer patterns. Besides the Gray Ghost, the Golden Witch and the Colonel Bates

~iip @ Key to streamer flies (and originators) on the front cover: I. Colonel Bates (Carrie Stevens). 2. Ligj?ett Special (Emile Letourneau). 3. Barne Special (C. Lowell Barnes). 4. Supervisor (Jo eph Stickney). 5. Ballou Special (Ai W. Ballou). 6. Warden's Worry (Jo eph Stickney). 7. Chief Needabeh (Chief Needabeh). 8. Gray Ghost (Carrie Stevens). 9. Light Edson Tiger (William R. Ed on). 10. Grand Laker (anonymous) . 11. Black Ghost (Herb Welch). 12. Dark Edson Tiger (William R. Edson). 13. Nine-three (Dr. J. Herbert Sanborn). 14. Spencer Bay Special (Horace P. Bond).

- named during World War II for Joseph D. Bates Jr., famous author of treamer fly literature are still widely u ed Carrie Stevens patterns. Mrs. Stevens died in 197 , just days before the Governor proclaimed August 15 as "Carrie Gertrude Stevens Day." A metal plaque commemorating her memory and the fame she brought to Rangeley and the State of Maine was placed beside Upper Dam Pool. Fittingly, Joe Bates delivered the dedication. ANGELEY was not the only

scene of hot fly fi hing during R the 1920s. Fly fishing at the mouth of the Songo River on Sebago Lake rapidly gained fame in the years after 1918, when Ai Ballou first demonstrated that the big salmon and brook trout there could be caught on a fly as well as by trolling or still fishing with bait. Herb Welch fished there, as did many other noted anglers.

Carrie Stevens created a streamer fly to imitate a smelt the now famed Gray Ghost.

One of these, Joseph Stickney, a former architect, gave up his original profession to become warden supervi or in the southern Maine division and pursue his chief love, the outdoors. Although an excellent fly fisherman, Joe Stickney was not a fly tyer. When he had an inspiration for a new pattern, he took his idea to his favorite artisans, particularly those at Percy Tackle Company in Portland. There, such skilled tyers as Nellie Newton and Gardner Percy himself would custom-tie streamers for out-of-state sportsmen on their way north. Of the several streamer and bucktail patterns originated by Joe Stickney, two are particularly outstanding. The first was designed in 1925 to imitate a needle smelt. The Supervisor is still a must for most serious Maine salmon fishermen. The second pattern is a bucktail which has attained Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

The late Horace P. Bond of Bangor originated the Spencer Bay Special; one of his or;ginals is shown above.

national acceptance since it was first developed in 1930. The appropriately named Warden's Worry has filled the creels of trout fishermen all over the country. Herb Welch was by no means idle during those years. In his shop at Haines Landing on Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Herb created several superb streamers while maintaining a thriving taxidermy business. Among his contributions to streamer fly art are the Jane Craig, Kennebago, and Welch Rarebit. His greatest pattern was one which he showed to Nellie Newton at Percy's. She in turn reproduced the white-winged streamer at the Boston Sportsmen's Show. The Black Ghost, as Herb called it, quickly earned a reputation for taking fish, a reputation that continues to this day. Among the writers reporting the excellent fishing at the mouth of the Songo was William R. Edson. His association wjth the likes of Ai Ballou soon resulted in his becoming an ardent fisherman and highly skilled fly caster. Edson became well known for his casting demonstrations at the Boston Sportsmen's Show. As a fly tyer, Bill Edson was equally adept!. His pair of bucktails, the Light and Dark Edson Tigers, are still widely used. Their simplicity and effectiveness make them excellent patterns for novice fly tyers.

HEN, AS TODAY, the angling world was blessed with more than its share of colorful personaliMaine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

ties. Perhaps the most unusur.l character of that early streamer fly era was one Chief Needahbeh. A member of the Penobscot tribe, Chief Needahbeh was the epitome of Indian guides. Little did most sport realize that this crafty individual who plied the waters of Moosehead Lake during the summer months was highly educated and taught school during the off-season. Among Chief Needahbeh's many talents was his ability to imitate a loon's cry flawlessly. Ai Ballou recalls how Chief Needahbeh mesmerized audiences at the Boston Sportsmen's Show with his loon calls. Needahbeh was a master fisherman and guide as well. Fish Hatchery Foreman Eddie Nadeau of Casco began his career at .the old Squaw Book fish hatchery on Moosehead's west shore. Eddie remembers Chief Needahbeh's skill with a canoe. When the weather was too rough for anyone else to venture out on the lake, Needahbeh could be seen bucking the waves unconcerned and, more often than not, with a salmon on the end of his line. The Chief must have been an excellent fly tyer. The high degree of his art is evident in the beautiful streamer pictured in the color plates of Joe Bates's Streamer Fly Tying and Fishing. The Chief Needahbeh streamer is extremely bright and colorful. Needahbeh designed the fly as an attractor pattern - one which

might arouse a fish's curiosity. It is a very useful fly in this role. Moosehead Lake was then, as it is now, a major center of angling activity. Such famous spots as Rockwood's Moose River, and Spencer Bay to the west of Kokadjo, attracted fishermen to the sporting camps along the shores. The late Horace P. Bond, father of Fishery Division Chief Lyndon Bond, used to fish Spencer Bay out of his friend Amory Houghton's camps. Bond named one of his streamer patterns, the Spencer Bay Special, in Mr. Houghton's honor. The subtly beautiful streamer is a very large fly, tied on extremely longshanked hooks. It is still a popular and very effective Jake streamer. In addition, fly casters on Washington County's Narraguagus River have found it an effective pattern for taking Atlantic salmon kelts in April.

HE GOLDEN YEARS of streamer casting in Maine occurred in the 1920s. By 1930, modern technology was casting signs of change on the horizon. Ai Ballou remembers when a friend brought the first outboard motor to the mouth of the Songo. "Ai", the man said, "within a year, everyone will have one of these." And he was right. The next issue of Maine Fish and Wildlife will feature the second article of this two part series: "The Trolling Streamers." D

REMOTE PONDS

Protecting Special Places By Paul R. Johnson Fishery Biologist

Illustrations by Scott Roy Editor's Note: Sport fi hing in Maine today is steeped ith many of the traditional methods and places and time-honored customs of the pa t which invest it with a m stique all its own among the eastern states. Among these is trout fish;ng in remote waters in Maine's vast fore t lands. Generations of Maine fishermen have known and cherished the remote trout pond experience. Beyond the rel1 ards of the successfully angled fish, identifying and traveling to these special places and experiencing their naturalne s, beauty, and solitude are unique rewards in themselves. But as the following article points out, conditions are changing in the forests. More and more ponds are becoming easily accessible. Easy acce s invariably leads to diminution of both the real and intangible rewards sought there. Recognizing the importance of having at least a vestige of remote trout ponds for future generations of Maine citizens to enjoy, the Fish and Wildlife Department recommended protective zoning for some of them under: Maine's Land Use Regulation Commission statutes. On March 17, 1978, after this article on the Department's remote ponds philosophy and protection recommendations was written, the Commission passed standards that included most of the Department's recommendations. Specifically not adopted was the proposed ban on outboard motors and aircraft. Existing statutes, however, give the fish and wildlife commissioner authority to restrict outboard motors on any internal water, following a pub{ic hearing. This authority could be employed to the benefit of remote ponds. ~

The standards that the Land Use Regulation Commission did adopt - along with a co-operative spirit between recreationists, landowners, and state ager,cies - will help assure that Maine's remote ponds will continue to be the special places that generations of Maine sportsmen have known and cherished.

ORE THAN 10 million acres of land in Maine - about half the state - make up our unorganized areas, considered by some people to be a large wilderness. Though the timber resources in these areas have been used for over 100 years, the land has retained its natural characteristics. The pattern of private ownership and the management of this land principally for forest products has to date kept the unorganized areas largely unchanged and protected them from intensive development. Upon regeneration of the forests after cutting, most areas retain the qualities found by the first settlers and visitors who described their experiences in what was then the real Maine wilderness. The unorganized areas are also well known for their recreational opportunities. Fishing is an important attraction, as within the 10 million acres lie 3,366 of the 5,672 lakes and ponds in Maine. These waters are perhaps best known for their brook trout, lake trout, and salmon populations. Yet, they provide fisheries for other species as well, and they offer anglers a wide variety of fishing experiences. In recent years, an increased demand for forest products, the mechanization of timber harvesting operations,

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

and more intensive forest management techniques have changed the forests of the unorganized areas. Small harvesting operations, once conducted seasonally, have expanded into year-round operations throughout many areas that were once inaccessible. A network of land management roads has been constructed to remove timber from the forests to the mills. Consequently, many areas that once could be reached only with a great deal of time and effort by tote road, foot trail, or canoe are now easily accessible by car over good, gravelled roads. At the same time, there has been an increase in the demand for forest recreation and lakeshore development. Much of this has focused on the unorganized areas . Policies of the lar~e landowners allow recreational traffic on many of their roads. Thus, increases in accessibility to once remote places has increased the use of these areas. Changes in fishing intensity on waters throughout the unorganized areas have provided fish ery managers with some problems and the challenge of maintaining the present variety of fishing quality and fishing opportunities.

N 1969, concern over the growing demands for and the increasing uses in the unorganized areas prompted the 104th Legislature to create the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC). The specific purpose of the Commission is to "extend the principles of planning and zoning into the unorganized areas; to preserve public health , safety and welfare; to ensure an ecological balance ; and to encourage the well planned multiple use of the natural resources. " One of L URC's major policies is to "conserve the natural resources for timber production and outdoor recreation." This will be done through zoning. Appropriate land use standards will apply to land classified to be managed for forest production, to be developed for commercial and recreational purposes, or to be protected because of the natural resources they offer.

INCE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES provide the base for many recreational activities in the unorganized areas, and many land uses directly affect these resources, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has assumed an active role in making recommendations to LURC. In statements to the Commission, we have identified certain land use problems that must be solved if our Department is to meet its responsibilities. These responsibilities include maintaining the quality and quantity of habitat in the unorganized areas, maintaining the populations of fish and wildlife that depend on this habitat, and providing for optimum public use of these resources. Specific areas important to fish and wildlife resources have been identified for zoning, and we have recommended to LURC, land use standards that will protect these areas. The Fish and Wildlife Department realizes that fishing regulations can to some extent conserve fish populations in bodies of water. But fishing regulations alone cannot deal with the increasing commercial and recreational uses of the unorganized areas, and the pressures for development there. The regulation of land uses around bodies of water will also be necessary to maintain aquatic habitat and aquatic life and provide for the use of these resources. The expansion of road networks in the unorganized areas increases the chances for anglers to fish a greater number of waters; but at the same time, this easier access creates problems. Many waters, especially those with brook trout populations, are very susceptible to over-fishing and a resulting decline in fishing quality. The Fish and Wildlife Department has learned fr.om experience - and many anglers will agree with our observation - that newly created vehicular access to once remote waters has too often resulted in substantial increases in fishing pressure. The pressure increases regardless of any special fishing regulations which might be imposed on these waters. Results of a study on one small pond demonstrate the vulnerability of a trout population to fishing pressure. In only a day or two, a large number of anglers removed most of the pond's estimated harvestable trout population, including nearly all of the larger fish.

ESPITE THE EXPANSION of road networks in the unorganized areas, there still remains a demand for remote, undeveloped areas an<l the special kind of recreational opportunities these areas provide. Many people wantÂˇ some waters kept inaccessible by vehicle, so they can walk or canoe there and enjoy fishing, camping, or simply relaxing in a natural, essentially wilderness, environment. In 197 4, we sent a questionnaire to a sample of licensed anglers. A majority of respondents indicated that

[)

Continued on page 34.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Many things keep our minds busy at this time of year. Summer's almost here - winter will be over soon - we can go swimming if the ice on the lakes will ever melt away. When does it melt, anyway? Each spring, many people make bets on when the ice on their favorite lake or pond will be gone. What determines when the ice on a certain body of water will melt is really a combination of several different things temperature, the size and shape of the lake, the surrounding area, the amount of snow cover and even the particular way the ice formed the preceding fall. Temperature is the most important factor affecting ice-outs . . . but before we talk about ice-outs, let's talk about ice for a minute or two. We are all famili~r with ice, with water. We know all about it. Or do we? Did you know, for instance, that water, like most things, becomes heavier as it cools? But it only gets heavier until it reaches 39 Â° Fahrenheit - then it starts to get lighter again, until, at 32 Â° Fahrenheit, it is lighter than water, and floats! It is this fact that causes lakes to freeze from the top down. If they froze the other way, all the water in the lake would freeze, and that would be pretty serious - for all animals dependent upon water, which includes all of us! 20

When the ice reaches a certain thickness - also depending upon several factors it remains pretty much that way for the remainder of the cold months. And life goes on beneath the layer of ice, allowing us the pleasure of ice fishing. Food for the fish is

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// 1

â&#x20AC;˘ see, Now you Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

not quite as plentiful as in the summer months, and the ones that come to take our bait are pretty hungry! So now spring is coming. And what happens to the ice? It begins to melt, from the bottom up! This happens because the ice conducts the heat through to the water below, and ice in contact with the warmed water melts faster than ice in contact with warm air. And so it starts, as the days get longer and warmer. And almost before we're aware of it, the day comes when a lake which was covered with ice the night before is now "open water."

- now you â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

There are other factors which affect iceou ts a lake exposed to full winds will clear before sheltered ponds - small lakes usually clear faster than large ones because of the additional heat required to warm up the water - lakes near the ocean clear faster than inland lakes because of the unfrozen ocean and the warm air currents which blow inland - lakes at higher altitudes clear later because the air doesn't warm up as fast at higher altitudes. Put all these factors together with the actual ice-out dates and weather conditions of previous years, and you might be able to predict pretty well the date that you will be able to see open water on your favorite lake or pond. But don't be discouraged if you miss it some people have been watching the same lake for years and years, and still can't hit it right! But one thing's for sure - no one, not even the most enthusiastic winter sports person, will say that it's really. a shame to see spring arrive again!

, 21

Maine Rivers:

THE PENOBSCOT HE PENOBSCOT RIVER, Mai ne's largest single water res? urce, has a ?rainage a rea of. about 8,~00 square miles. The basm, about 160 miles long m a north-south direction and I 15 mi Jes from east to west, adjoins the Province of Quebec o n the northwest and extends to Maine's mid-coastal area. Fi ve sizeable subdrainages include the Wes t Branch Penobscot (2, I 00 sq. mi.) , the Mattawam keag Rive r (1,520 sq. mi. ), the Pi s-

M IL ES

Map by Ri c h a rd E . Cutting

cataquis River (1 ,500 sq. mi.), the East Branch Penobscot (1,100 sq. mi.), and the Passadumkeag River (394 sq. mi.) . The Penobscot River has an average di scharge at Bangor of about 5,175,000 gallons per minute (11 ,500 cubic fe et per second). The Penobscot basin contains 1,604 st rea ms and rivers. To that resource we can add 625 lakes and ponds, with a total area of about 254,600 acres. The two largest lakes, both impounded for hydroelectric storage, are Chesuncook Lake (22,975 acres) and the Pemadumcook Lake Chain (18,300 acres). Average annual precipitation ranges from 35 to 43 inches with a mean of 39 inches. The ex tensive lake system with associated dams in the Penobscot drainage has very favorable effects on the river di scharge. Effective regulation produces lowe r maximum flow s and increases th e summer di scharge when flow s are normally minimal. The produce rs of hydroelectric powe r are responsible for greater stability of some of the stream flow s.

ETTLEMENT of the Penobscot Basin by the white man began about 1775 . From about 1800 until 1860, there was a sharp increase in the rate of settlement and com munity growth. Development of water power for lumber and gristmills fulfilled one of man 's early needs. The number of obstructions to fish migration built up rapidly after the turn of the 19th century. The first mill in the Penobscot basin was erected in Bucksport in 1764. During the following 30 years, mills were built on most of the Penobscot tributaries in the Bangor-Bucksport area. Mills on the main river include th e series on the Stillwater River at Orono in 1778 and at the Old Town ounegan (carry) in 1798. Apparently the first dam across the Penobscot River was built at Old Town befo re 1826. Within 10 years, main river dams were installed at McMahon 's Falls in Veazie and at Great Works.

Chief Biologist Alfred L. Meister of the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission revised this article, which was first published in Maine Fish and Game Magazine in 1966, written by Richard E. Cutting, then a Salmon Commission bio]ogist. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Upriver tributaries of the Penobscot also were dammed at early dates. Sebec Lake was dammed in 1804. In 1806, the Piscataquis River was dammed at Dover, and the Pleasant River Wcl.S dammed at Brownville. Gordon Falls near the mouth of the Mattawamkeag River had a dam by 1835. It was shortly joined by several other nearby mills and dams. Relatively little thought was given to the effects of dams on fisheries during this period of rapid expansion. The actual requirements of a fish passage structure were unknown. Consequently , few dams provided free fish movement except incidentally. The word "fishway," and the structures so named, did not appear until after the Civil War. Realization of the need for adequate fish passage at many dams has been slow to develop. Fishery resources: People commonly refer to the unsurpassed fishing experiences of "the good old days. " Unfortunately, except in the memories of our older citizens, details of the unexcelled angling are difficult to obtain. We have all seen photographs of large catches taken in some of the Penobscot drainage lakes many years ago. Most of the waters seldom saw a human, and those people who went travelled by railroad or horse and wagon. No doubt, the inaccessibility and lack of fishing pressure permitted excellent catches. The same waters may produce as many pounds of fish today, however, but the catch is divided among more anglers. Four anadromous fishes have been important in the fisheries of the Penobscot River. Anadromous fishes are ocean-dwellers that spawn and spend their early lives in fresh water before migrating to the ocean. The four species include the Atlantic salmon, the alewife, the American shad, and the striped bass. Historians have recorded some information about the former abundance of these 4 fishes. In 1795, salmon , shad, and alewives were abundant, and in Milford in 1805 the Penobscot fairly swarmed with the finest fish - salmon, Ph oto by L. F . Decker

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

shad, and alewives were taken in quantities that now seem almost incredible. (That statement was written in 1882!) In 1827 at Bangor, 1 seine haul in May took 7,000 shad and 100 barrels of alewives. One weir on Treat's Point in 1836 caught 13,000 shad, fishing only a 4day week. Alewives once ascended the_ Piscataquis River in immense quantities, and they were often dipped out and left to decay on the river bank. In the Pleasant River at Brownville, alewives crowded up to spawn in such abundance that they filled the river from shore to shore, and salmon, too, came in great numbers. About 1880, many salmon were poached from the fishway of the Brownville dam. We can find a few observations on the distance of the alewife, shad, and salmon migrations in the Penobscot drainage. Alewives and shad went to Davis Pond, Ecldington (via Blackman Stream), until the big dams were built on the Penobscot in 1876. The shad in the Penobscot went 170 miles from the sea. On the East Branch of the Penobscot, tradition says, alewives reach ed a point nearly 200 miles from the sea. Salmon were found below the Foxcroft dam as late as 1825. The 11th Maine Fisheries Commissioners' Report mentions that alewives were taken beneath the dam at Dover in 1877. Although commercial fishing for Atlantic salmon started about I 780, the heaviest fishing took place during the mid and latter 19th century, and the catches dwindled during that period. Warden E. M. Paine reports in the 7th Maine Fisheries Commissioners' Report that the salmon catch by netters between Bangor and Old Town up to July 23 in 1873 was 1,984 fish. This catch weighed 33 , 198 pounds, and the average fish weight was 16 pounds

The pool below the Bangor dam is . once again showing signs of becoming a famous fishing spot for Atlantic salmon; the 1977 rod catch was 182 fish.

10 ounces. The total catch in 1873 was close to 15,000 fish. In the only 5 years for which statistics of the catch are available during the period from 1873 to 1890, the commercial catch averaged 11,955 salmon. The catch between 1895 and 1905 averaged 4,650 fish annually but from 1918 to 1920 was down to 1,500 salmon. Thereafter, the commercial catch dwindled erratically to a weir catch of 40 salmon in 194 7, the last year that commercial fishing for salmon was legal in the Penobscot River estuary. Despite the depredation in the guise of progress, the Penobscot River with miles of headwater spawning and nursery area, retained its potential for anadromous fish runs. The major obstacles to be overcome were the lack of fish passage facilities at man-made dams and the excessive pollution of the main stem waters. Obstructions: Man-made obstructions at Bangor, Veazie, Great Works, Milford, West Enfield, Howland and Mattawamkeag totally blocked the main stem and major tributaries to fish passage. Only the Mattaceunk Dam (Weldon Dam) at Mattawamkeag had a fish passage facility, and it was in need of repairs. Inoperable and obsolete fishways at the other obstructions were poorly designed relics of the Depression days. A pre-requisite to restoration of migratory fish runs was the opening of the dams to relatively uninhibited fish movement. Pollution: Water pollution became a major problem in the Penobscot drainage. The problem was most acute in the main river although severe local problems could be found on some of the tributaries. The water pollution problem was a result of the pattern of development of Maine's forest resources. During the settlement period until about the 1870s, man used the Penobscot's virgin forests for lumber. After the virgin forests were cut, the emphasis shifted to utilizing the smaller trees newly growing. The pulp and paper indus-

try began operating on the Penobscot drainage about 1882 at Great Works and has grown tremendously since World War II. The lack of waste treatment by this industry gradually increased the pollution load beyond the capacity of the river to absorb the wastes. The waste load by industries in the Penobscot basin created effects which were the equivalent of the domestic sewage from many, many times the actual number of people living in the drainage. The Penobscot River was burdened far beyond its natural capacity for purification. Continued deterioration of the Penobscot was not to be. In 1965, the Legislature passed a water cleanup bill that provided for water quality classification in October 1965; an October 1969 date for preliminary plans and estimates on water treatment facilities; an October 1972 date for financing arrangements; an October 1973 deadline for construction scheduling; and for a completion date of October 1, 1980. The passage of federal assistance acts constricted this timetable, and completion schedules were reduced to October 1976. By 1976, water quality on the Penobscot had improved markedly. Pollution abatement faciliti es were operational or under construction at all but one of the major industrial plants, and municipal facilities were being constructed as rapidly as funds were made available.

HE PENOBSCOT DRAINAGE offers a wide selection of habitat conditions and environments for fishes. Therefore it is not surprising that the drainage is inhabited by nearly all the fish species found in the state.

Landlocked sal man fishing or, the West Branch of tho Penobscot rnver, near Chesuncook.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Until recent years, there was no fishing activity at the Bangor salmon pool, but now it's a different story.

Angling in the Penobscot drainage is sure to please any fisherman whether his interest is for cold-water or for warm-water game fishes. The widely-distributed brook trout can be found in every brook , stream, and pond when water temperatures are suitable. The dispersal of the brook trout in the springtime permits an extensive fishery in areas where waters are too warm for this fi sh in the summertime. During the summer months, warm waters restrict the brook trout to the cooler streams, springs, and mouths of cool tributaries where conditions are suitable for carryover. The headwater streams, particularly the East Branch and West Branch Penobscot, are favorite areas for the trout fi sherman. The landlocked salmon occurs primarily in lakes and ponds although stream-dwelling fish are present in several of the larger streams and rivers. The West Branch Penobscot below Ripogenus Dam is wellknown for its landlocked salmon fishing. Many of the larger lakes provide excellent trolling for landlocked salmon; Chesuncook Lake and Cold Stream Pond could be mentioned as examples. The lake trout , or togue, is restricted to the deeper lakes, and this game fish is not as numerous as the salmon or brook trout. Sebec Lake and Wilson Pond are examples of lakes providing togue fishing. The fisherman seeking warm-water fishes - the bass, perch , and pickerel - can find them readily in the Penobscot drainage. The chain pickerel and the bass are limited in distribution primarily to the southerly and easterly two-thirds of the drainage. The chain pickerel, present in the drainage since 1819, is caught from the deadwater sections of the larger streams and rivers and from many of the lakes and ponds. The smallmouth bass has become rather widely distributed in the basin since its introduction in 1869. Excellent stream fishing for the bass is enjoyed on the larger rivers, particularly the Mattawamkeag and Piscataquis. Several lakes provide superior smallmouth bass fishing; Baskahegan and South Branch lakes are two examples. The white perch is widespread, and the list of ponds containing this species is long. The white perch is a stream dweller in the main Penobscot River and in deeper portions of the larger tributaries. White perch populations have expanded to such an extent in ponds and lakes that fishery regulations have been liberalized to permit a larger harvest and to reduce overcrowding. Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

HE OUTLOOK for the future of the Penobscot River fishery resources is bright. The inland fisheries are in good condition and can be maintained or impr~ved by Âˇ modern fi sh management techniques. The undesirable environmental effects of man's settlement and use of the basin are being overcome. Pollution abatement is a practical reality. Recent regulations pertaining to shoreland zoning and those promulgated by the Land Use Regulation Commission and Department of Environmental Protection will assist in maintaining our fishery resources and, in some instances, improve the quality of our fishing and outdoor recreational pursuits in the Penobscot watershed. New fishways have been constructed in the major dams of the Penobscot main stem and the Piscataquis River. With work completed with funds from municipalities and local industry and matched by federal monies under the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act, the Penobscot is virtually obstruction-free to fish migration. Increasing runs of Atlantic salmon now reach headwater spawning and nursery sites in such diverse areas as Katahdin Iron Works, Molunkus, and Cold Stream Pond. There is a revival of interest in angling at the Bangor Salmon Pool. The clubhouse has been renovated, and the anglers again vie with each other for the first fish of the season. The fishery is improving, and although advances may be slow at times, natural production augmented by increased hatchery production from the new federal hatchery at Green Lake will in the foreseeable future return the Penobscot to full fish production once again.

HE PEOPLE OF MAINE have awakened, and the decades of abuse are being corrected. Fishery resources are being restored, the waters are cleaner, and recreational uses are increasing. With continued vigilance, the citizens of tomorrow's Maine will have as their legacy a resource more like the Penobscot River of a century ago.

I~@~ l@~~@r~~ lÂŽ@ITU Li@

l@~ITUÂŽ By Howard E. Spencer, Jr. Migratory Bird Research Leader Hen and drake may pair up any time from late summer until arrival on the nesting grounds next spring.

(Author's note: An article on the life history of the mallard duck in 2,300 words or so must be quite general, so this is a brief abstract of the comprehensive monograph approach with particular emphasis on what mallards mean to Maine. I hope there will be enough biology, facts, figures, and background to enable you to form some opinions concerning Maine mallards and their management.)

HE MALLARD DUCK, scientifically Anas p/atyrhynchos, is perhaps the commonest _and most widely distributed waterfowl species \fOrldwide. In general, they tend to be rather prolific breeders and have been domesticated in many parts of the world, probably for centuries. Partly as a result of domestication and experimental breeding, and partly from their propensity for hybridization and evolution, mallards exist throughout the world in many sizes and variations. Extreme examples include the French Rouen mallard, a domestic form, the drake of which may weigh up to 14 lbs. as opposed to the average North American drake at 2% lbs. Since the mallard is the most numerous wild duck in North America (20 year breeding population average: 10.4 million), a detailed description seems superfluous. (The reader may refer to the accompanying pictures and any good bird book.) The wild mallard is a dabbling duck; simply stated, this means that it tips for its food, rarely feeding in more than 18-24 inches of water (and often on dry land). Being highly adaptable, it uses a wide variety of foods through-

out its range. Domestic foods include rice, corn, wheat, oats, and soy beans. Wild foods run the gamut from aquatic insects and other invertebrates to many, many aquatic plant species. Recent research has shown that invertebrate foods, especially aquatic insects, are particularly important to laying females and downy young, in that they provide the high protein needed for egg production and growth of the young. (Think about this in considering the merits of extensive spraying programs.) Calendar-wise, mallards are early season breeders. Pair bonds (mating) may be established any time from late summer until arrival on the nesting grounds the following spring. One central New York study indicated that by mid-January, 80 per cent of a wintering flock had paired. The pair bond rarely lasts after the early stage of nest incubation. Many mallards nest at an age of one year. Maine latitude mallard nests are usually initiated between April 10th and 30th. Hens normally lay an egg a day, and the average clutch size in a study of over 5,000 nests was 9 e~gs. Re-nests resulting from failure of first nests usually contain fewer eggs. Hatching success varies widely from place to place, but a study of nearly 8,000 nests indicated that 45. 9 per cent of the nests hatched. Brood sizes for Class III young (6 weeks-flying) may average between five and six, but there is no estimate of the numbers of total broods lost. Hence, age ratios Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

in fall populations may be a better index of productivity. Recent studies indicate that the average fall populations of immatures and adults are about equal. It is interesting to note that annual mortality from all causes including hunting approximates 50 per cent. Therefore, mallards must produce at least one flying young per adult to maintain any given population. Production below this level results in a population decline; above it, an increase. Although the mallard reaches greatest abundance in the Mississippi Flyway, it has increased its numbers in recent years in the Atlantic Flyway. Presently, it is the most numerous species in the hunting harvest. In recent years (1972-76) , approximately 370,000 mallards have been taken by Atlantic Flyway hunters annually. In Maine, about 4,700 mallards were shot annually in the same period. This amounts to a little over 5 per cent of the Maine duck harvest. During the period 1961-1970, mallards averaged about 3Y2 per cent of the Maine harvest. The mallard h uvest is up slightly. Nationally, the maximum life span of wild mallards ranges from 16 to 20 years (females about 2 years less than males). However, the average life span, as determined from banding data, is less than 2 years. From 40 to 50 per cent of the mallards that die annually are shot by hunters. As a result of analysing almost 400,000 recoveries from approximately 3 million banded mallards , Anderson ( 197 5) determined that annual survival rates varied widely for different years and geographic areas. However, survival rates of banded mallards averaged 62 and 54 per cent for adult males and females respectively, and 48 and 46 per cent for immature males and females respectively. Anderson also points out that many losses

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

occur during the nesting or early brood period, and as much as 75 per cent of mortality may occur before the birds are banded. He concludes that population changes are more closely related to annual productivity differences than to varying survival rates.

ANAGING MALLARDS. The very characteristics which have enabled the mallard to become the most numerous duck in the northern hemisphere, also create problems. The ease with which they're raised in captivity makes them (along with White Pekins) a favorite at Easter time. Kids everywhere get a kick out of downy little ducklings. However, as cute little ducklings tum into dirty ducks at six weeks and upward, urban parents tend to explain to their offspring how such beautiful birds should be free to fly whither they will. "So wouldn't it be better if we took them down to the lake (or park) and let them go? We can go down and see them and feed them often ." Their neighbors decide they have the right idea and add their White Pekins to the lake, and lo and behold, a flock of feral ducks is underway. These birds usually spend the winter in the nearest open water close to people (knowing they'll be well fed). Come spring, the handsome green-headed drake becomes enamoured over a buxom white duck, and next winter there are some halfwhite-half-mallards around looking for bread crumbs. Before many winters pass, a few hungry black ducks Mother mallard takes good care of her youngsters, but there are many losses during the early brood period and during the nesting. The young onesÂˇreach flying stage (fledge) in seven to eight weeks.

decoy in, and plumage patterns and colors soon become a real affront to any discriminating bird-watcher or sportsman. Of course, these feral flocks choose their habitat wisely - so close to humans that hunting is verboten. Thus, the flock continues to grow, getting dirtier, more polluting, and more mongrelized each year until " people" decide the Fish and Wildlife Department should "do something" about the nuisance. Naturally, some " people" still like the ducks while others just want them "but of there." So "do something" - just as long as they don 't wind up in someone's freezer (horrifying thought). And that's the story of one mallard management problem that should never occur but probably always will. Not all game farm mallards are sold as Easter ducks. In fact, some are actually raised or purchased by fish and wildlife departments, sportsmen's groups, and shooting preserve operators. These birds may be used for retriever trials, controlled hunts (on preserves), put and take hunting, or some other such purpose. In Maine, the Bowdoinham Rod and Gun Club initiated a mallard stocking program in 1972. Their stated objectives were: "(l) To provide wild mallards of superior quality for our area; (2) to lessen the hunting pressure in our depleted native black duck population by providing an additional species for the hunters; and (3) to start a breeding population of native mallards which can perpetuate itself and adapt to the Maine conditions without harming other local species." The project received Fish and Wildlife Department approval on an experimental basis, with the understanding that Department personnel would band the ducklings before release as well as monitor and evaluate the experiment. After four years of banding and stocking over 8,000 mallard ducklings, Corr and Spencer examined and analysed the data (Corr, P. 0. , and H. E. Spencer, Jr., 1977). A comprehensive report was prepared for the Commissioner and later disseminated to the Maine Waterfowl Council. Material in this report was also summarized in Wildlife Division Leaflet Vol. 9, No. 1 (Spencer and Corr, 1977). The analysis involved statistical studies of 3 71 hunting season band recoveries from the released mallards,

plus data and statistics from harvest studies, post season aerial inventories, and other sources. Corr and Spencer pointed out that only 5 per cent (370) of the 8,000 stocked mallards were recovered by hunters and that this was about one-third the rate for wild mallards or black ducks. The 370 hand-reared mallards recovered constituted less than 2 per cent of the estimated Maine mallard harvest during the period 1972-197 5. The report indicated that the club conducted the stocking in a very competent manner but that there were very low returns to the hunter from this stocking experiment. It also considered the large number of game farm mallards now being released in various parts of the flyway and the possible proliferation of these game farm origin mallards to the detriment of our native wild black ducks, with which mallards breed freely and produce fertile young. As a result of their analysis and evaluation, Corr and Spencer recommended discontinuing the mallard stocking project. The Bowdoinham Rod and Gun Club and some others do not wholly agree. Actually, there are no absolute answers to the mallard stocking question only intelligent choices.

N CONCLUSION, it's thought provoking to speculate on the possible future of both mallards and black ducks in Mame. For whatever reasons, the mallard appears to be increasing Flyway-wide as the black duck decreases. Black ducks already have not uncommon infusions of mallard genes. Perhaps the mallard will prove more adaptable and capable of surviving our changing times than the black duck. On the other hand, it's difficult to accept the premise that a bird like the black duck that can survive the rigors of winter as far north as the Maritimes, and the rigors of people in the shadow of Manhattan skyscrapers, is going to give it all to the green-headed dandy from the west. It is very possible that the situation may be resolved by factors beyond our control within the next 25 years. Certainly, Maine duck managers will be trying to perpetuate both of these top notch game fowl for a long time to come.

LITERATURE CITED Anderson, David R., 1975, "Population Ecology of the Mallard V Temporal" and "Geographic Estimates of Survival, Recovery, and Harvest Rates." Resource Publication 125, U.S.D.I. Fish and Wildlife Service. Corr, P. 0., and H. E. Spencer, Jr., 1977. "A Critical Review of the Maine Mallard Stocking Experiment 1972-1975." Unpublished mimeo, Wildlife Div., Maine Dept. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Augusta, Me. Spencer, H. E. , Jr., and P. 0. Corr 1977. " 1976-77 MigratoryÂˇ Bird Project Report," Wildlife Div. Leaflet Series Vol. 9 No. 1, Maine Dept. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Augusta, Me.

The mallard is the most numerous wild duck in North America and exists throughout the world in many sizes and variations.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Engineering Sex in Fish By Stan Allen, Jr. Maine Cooperative Fishery Research Unit University of Maine

tween the chromosomes for development and growth but not for the fragile process of egg or sperm production. In this case, sterility would result. Of course, not all crosses yield sterility, and hybrids may not be as acceptable to the sportsman as the parental fish.

N FISH CULTURE, the en-

vironment is rigidly controlled so that large numbers of hatchery tish can be produced and stocked for public benefit. In addition to controlling the environment, fish culturists may find it desirable to engineer better fish that grow faster or that will not reproduce. In research now being conducted at the Maine Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at the University of Maine, and sponsored by Sea Grant, the normal sex life of fish is altered to prevent reproduction. What advantages would non-reproductive fish have to fisheries managers? Remember that a fertile fish devotes 25 per cent of its food energy to produce eggs or sperm, whereas a sterile fish would channel this energy toward growth. So sterile fish should grow more rapidly. Salmon and trout have high mortalities during and after spawning; Pacific salmon all die after spawning. Sterile fish would exhibit greater longevity. Both faster growth and greater longevity mean trophy-sized fish to the angler. One technique to induce sterility in cultured fish is hydridization. In nature, each fish mates with its own kind whose chromosome numbers are equal in quantity and quality. When fish of different types (different genus or species) are mated, there is often sufficient compatibility beMaine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

under investiin several laboratories · around the world, including the University of Maine, involves producing polyploid fish. Polyploidy is a condition in which there are one or more extra sets of chromosomes. Two sets of chromosomes naturally occur in normal individuals, designated 2N. Generally, if the TECHNIQUE

A gation

00 1N

,,,. NORMAL DIVISION

<:!) FERTIL I ZED EGG OR

POSTPONED DIVISION

® l

2 · 2N 's

' §§ ' ''

00 83

~ ~

4 · 2N 's

1N GAMETES

2 · 4N 's

r/0,9 WITH

''N" number of chromosomes is even - that is, 2N, .4N, etc. - an animal has a good chance· of being fertile. This is because sperm and eggs are each reduced to one-half of the parental number (2N~ lN, 4N ~ 2N). If, however, the "N" number is odd, theory predicts that sperm or egg production cannot take place; 3N, 5N, etc., cannot be divided evenly by two. The rationale for creating sterile fish is arithmetically simple but biologically more complex. First, a 4N fish must be produced. These 4N fish produce 2N eggs or sperm. By crossing a 4N fish with a normal 2N individual (which has lN eggs or sperm), the offspring will be 3N, which should be sterile. How does one go about creating a 4N (twice the normal number of chromosomes) fish? Well, newly fertilized eggs are " persuaded" to postpone their first cell division of development, and this results in twice the number of chromosomes that would normally be present (see figure). This persuasion can be in the form of altering the temperature of the water surrounding the egg (either very cold or unusually warm) or by chemically treating the egg. IGNIFICANT PROGRESS has

been made in engineering sex in fish. Polyploid landlocked salmon have been created at the University of Maine by treating eggs with chemicals that interfere with the first cell division of development. Another study done at the University of Maine has shown that polyplo1dy causes sterility in brook trout. Sterility could be an effective way to prevent reproduction in many kinds of fish. Engineering the sex of fish is one of many frontiers that will contribute to the future of fish culture. D

r/0,9

{/}\

FERTILIZED EGG

WITH 2N GAMETES

Polyploidy can be induced by "postponing" the division of the cell while chromosomes continue to divide. In normal division, cells divide and the original number of chromosomes is maintained in each new cell.

Where To Find Us

BELGRADE REGION (B)

8 Federal St., Augusta 289-2535

ADMINISTRATION 284 State St., Augusta 289-3371 289-3651 289-3286 289-2871 289-2766

289-2571

Commissioner Maynard F. Marsh Deputy Commissioner J. William Peppard Realty Div., Chief Richard B. Parks Wildlife Div., Chief Robert W. Boettger Fisheries Div., Chief Lyndon H. Bond Hatcheries, Supt. David 0. Locke Planning Div., Dir. Kenneth H. Anderson Environmental Coordinator Charles F. Ritzi Information & Education Div., Dir. William C. Mincher Warden Service, Chief Warden Alanson B. Noble Recreational Safety & Registration , Chief Lorenzo J. Gaudreau Business Manager, Ralph C. Will License Section, Arline Hawkins Hunter Safety, Dir. Gareth S. Anderson Engineering Div., Chief Eng. Clayton G. Grant

FISHERIES RESEARCH OFFICE

34 Idaho Ave., Bangor 94 7-8627

Kendall Warner, Senior Research Biologist

WILDLIFE PROJECT LEADERS 581-2506 672-3222 546-7030

Howard E. Spencer, Migratory Bird Research, Orono Chester Banasiak, Big Game Research, Orono John H. Hunt, Small Game & Furbearer Research, Bingham Douglas Marston, Forest Wildlife Habitat Management, Milbridge

SEBAGO REGION (A) Box 570, U.S. # 1, Scarborough Philip A. Bozenhard, Regional Wildlife Biologist Stuart E. DeRoche, Regional Fishery Biologist 883-5106 Wdn. Lt. Russell E. Dyer, Steep Falls 675-3142 Wdn. Sgt. Donald L. Gray, Lilllâ&#x201A;¬rick 793-2984 282-5083 Wdn. George H. Chase, Saco Wdn. Ralph W. Sarty, !r., Sebago Lake 642-3468 Wdn. Nathaniel L. Berry IV, Gray 926-4833 Wdn. James E. Brown, Freeport 865-6329 Wdn. Sgt. William Vail Wdn. Bruce W. Galeucia, No. Berwick 676-3101 Wdn. Robert L. Rondeau, Springvale 324-7022 Wdn. Jacques L. Gusmano, Sanford 646-5525 Wdn. Charles A. Cochran, Limerick 793-2248 Wdn. Cpl. Arnold M. Beleckis, Kezar 625-4941 Falls Wdn. Sgt. Donis R. Wheaton, Bridgton 64 7-3735 Wdn. Bruce A. Farrar, Bridgton 647-5472 Wdn. David H. Spencer, Norway 743-5798 Wdn. Michael J. O'Connell, Naples 693-6006 345-8591 Wdn. Robert J. Tribou, Minot HATCHERIES CASCO FISH HATCHERY 627-4358 Casco, ME 04015 Edward L. Nadeau, Foreman DRY MILLS FISH HATCHERY 657-4962 RFD #1, Gray, ME 04039 Edgar Foster, Foreman NEW GLOUCESTER FISH HATCHERY 657-3423 RFD # 1, Gray, ME 04039 883-5107

Gary Donovan, Regional Wildlife Biologist Roger A. Marin, Regional Fishery Biologist Peter G. Walker, Hatchery Biologist WARDEN DIVISION B 933-4448 Wdn. Lt. Charles E. Tobie, N. Monmouth 685-4643 Wdn. Sgt. Norman E. Trask, Readfield 724-3635 Wdn. Lloyd A. Perkins, Hallowell Wdn. James A. Davis, Turner 225-3233 293-3701 Wdn. George R. Edwards, Mt. Vernon 465-2073 Wdn. Thomas M. Melnichok, Oakland 623-4961 Wdn. Parker K. Tripp, Augusta 445-2645 Wdn. Lowell W. Thomas, Windsor 848-3051 Wdn. Sgt. William F. Allen, Carmel 722-3131 Wdn. John A. Ford, Brooks 862-3461 Wdn. Douglas C. Miner, Hampden 884-7644 Wdn. Terence A. Glatt, Levant 368-5011 Wdn. Cpl. William D. Pidgeon, Newport 938-4853 Wdn. Norman A. Gilbert, Hartland 278-2462 Wdn. Douglas H. Tibbetts, Corinna WARDEN DIVISION M 582-2579 Wdn. Lt. John F. Marsh, W. Gardiner 785-4431 Wdn. Sgt. John G. Cr1;1btree, Union 737-2380 Wdn. Brian E. Wqrth, Dresden 737-2565 Wdn. David M. Peppard, Richmond 354-8008 Wdn. Lawrence L. Grant, Thomaston 785-4693 Wdn. Michael L. Ritchie, Union WARDEN PILOT 725-2979 Wdn. Pilot Everett J. Welch, Bowdoinham HATCHERIES 622-3818 GOV. HILL FISH HATCHERY RFD # 4, Augusta, ME 04330 David C. Rayner, Foreman 993-2361 PALERMO REARING STATION Palermo, ME 04354 Arthur P. Hall, Foreman

GRAND LAKE REGION (C) Water St., Machias Henry Carson, Regional Wildlife Biologist J. Dennis McNeish, Regional Fishery Biologist WARDEN DIVISION C 255-6563 Wdn. Lt. Gene E. Mallory, Machias 454-7585 Wdn. Sgt. Carter Smith, Calais Wdn. Carleton P. Hill, Milbridge 546-2542 483-4126 Wdn. Donald W. Annis, Columbia Falls Wdn. Robert C. Carter, Machias 255-8584 Wdn. Ernest J. Smith, Dennysville 726-4443 726-4727 Wdn. Francis E. Reynolds, Pembroke 427-6159 Wdn. Glynn S. Pratt, Woodland Wdn. Philip E. White, Wesley 255-6278 Wdn. Gregory T. Maher, Waite 976-2701 Wdn. Michael Morrison, c/o Forest Svc., Topsfield WARDEN DIVISION J 667-2354 Wdn. Lt. Walter R. Bisset, Jr., Ellsworth 469-3005 Wdn. Sgt. Russell S. Cook, Bucksport 374-5530 Wdn. Roland A. Tarr, Blue Hill 469-7402 Wdn. John W. Ready, Jr., Bucksport 825-3210 Wdn. David L. Mercier, Orrington 667-4514 Wdn. William A. Downing, Ellsworth 244-3500 Wdn. Lee D. Grinnell, Southwest Hbr. Wdn. Michael P. Favreau 584-3043 Wdn. Norman W. Dean, Aurora HATCHERIES DEBLOIS FISH HATCHERY Cherryfield, ME 046 22 John R. Willey, Foreman 796-5580 GRAND LAKE STREAM FISH HATCHERY Grand Lake Stream, ME 04637 Thane L. Clifford, Foreman 255-3266

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

Roger P. AuClair, Regional Fishery Biologist 695-2268 Wdn. Lt. Gray B. Morrison, Greenville 695-3858 Wdn. Sgt. Michael D. Collins, Greenville Jct. 564-2088 Wdn. Michael L. Eaton, Dover-Foxcroft 876-3539 Wdn. Stephen E. Hall, Guilford 695-2548 Wdn. Cpl. Charles E. Davis, Shirley Mills 695-3673 Wdn. Glen A. Perkins, Greenville Wdn. Patrick M. Dorian, Greenville 534-777 5 Wdn. Charles D. Marshall, Rockwood 668-3802 Wdn. Carroll I. Goodwin III, Jackman 668-7760 Wdn. Glen P. Feeney, Jackman Wdn. Peter W. McPheters, St. Zacharie WARDEN PILOT 695-2441 Chief Pilot Dana W. Toothaker, Greenville

PENOBSCOT REGION (F) 528-2251

Administrative Regions RANGELEY REGION (D) RFD # 3, Farmington 778-2421

Peter A. Cross, Regional Wildlife Biologist Raymond A. DeSandre, Regional Fishery Biologist 364-3023 Wdn. Lt. Vernon L. Moulton, Farmington 364-7 435 Wdn. Sgt. Eric T. Wight, Rumford Pt. 824-2103 Wdn. Gay land A. Brackett, Bethel 369-9014 Wdn. Edward R. White, Rumford Ct. 585-2336 Wdn. Michael D. Pratt, Weld 639-5151 Wdn. Sgt. Duane G. Lewis, Phillips Wdn. William F . Hanrahan, Farmington 778-3290 639-4865 Wdn. Dwight V . .Cram, Phillips 864-5283 Wdn. Thomas F. Jacobs, Rangeley 864-3820 Wdn. Charles H. Adkins, Rangeley 696-5429 Wdn. Sgt. Larry S. Cummings, Madison 246-3421 Wdn. K. Bryce Clayton, Eustis Wdn. Charles A. Bessey, Kingfield 265-4361 566-7 402 Wdn. Dennis E. McIntosh, No. Anson 643-2512 Wdn. James F. Ross, Solon 672-4402 Wdn. Allen T. Later, Bingham 663-2257 Wdn. Lloyd K. Trafton, West Forks HATCHERIES EMBDEN REARING STATION 566-5673 N. Anson, ME 04958 James S. Cameron, Foreman 639-2081 PHILLIPS FISH HATCHERY Phillips, ME 04966 H. Leonard Kinney, Foreman

MOOSEHEAD REGION (E)

Box 551, Greenville 695-2810

Harold M. Blanchard, Regional Wildlife Biologist

Maine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

Francis D. Dunn, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Patten 732-3234 Steven A. Timpano, Regional Fishery Biologist, Enfield 794-8998 Wdn. Lt. E. Leonard Ritchie, Lincoln 285-3389 Wdn. Sgt. Bryan C. Buchanan, E. Corinth 827-4208 Wdn. David C. Priest, Jr., Milford 285-7075 Wdn. Stephen K. Chick, Corinth 965-8412 Wdn. R. Scott Hoyle, Brownville 732-3907 Wdn. Leonard J. Pelletier, Jr., Enfield 738-4555 Wdn. David Crocker, Lee 794-6380 Wdn. Norman B. Moulton, Lincoln 746-5439 Wdn. Sgt. David 0. Sewall, E. Millinocket 448-2830 Wdn. Cpl. Gary H. Ballanger, Danforth 448-7764 Wdn. Carroll H. Bates, Haynesville 463-2274 Wdn. John H. Fowler, Island Falls 528-2344 Wdn. Theodore D. Hanson, Patten 7 46-5265 Wdn. Cpl. Daniel J. Watson, E. Millinocket 723-4010 Wdn. Roger E. Wolverton, Millinocket WARDEN PILOT 827-4850 Wdn. Pilot Gary R. Dumond, Milford HATCHERIES 732-3676 ENFIELD FISH HA TC HER Y (Cobb Hatchery) Enfield, ME 04433 Norman E. Philbrick, Foreman

FISH RIVER LAKES REGION (G)

Station St., Ashland 435-3231 Kevin Stevens, Regional Wildlife Biologist 435-3241 Peter M. Bourque, Regional Fishery Biologist 834-5400 Wdn. Lt. Herbert W. Vernon, Fort Kent 473-7449 Wdn. Sgt. Charles A. Merrill, Fort Fairfield 532-2489 Wdn. Roland D. Pelletier, Houlton 757-8192 Wdn. Randall D. Probert, Oakfield 538-9463 Wdn. Rodney Small, Monticello 435-4201 Wdn. Maurice M. Gordon, Masardis 435-6660 Wdn. Dan L. Glidden, Ashland 435-6378 Wdn. James A. Dumond, Portage Lake Wdn. Alan W. Rider, Mapleton 473-7934 Wdn. Gaynol L. Peary, Fort Fairfield 435-6211 Wdn. Sgt. John F. Robertson, Portage 492-4311 Wdn. Brian F. Carlton, Caribou Wdn. David M. Allen, Stockholm 834-3468 Wdn. Gary L. Pelletier, Fort Kent 444-5908 Wdn. John M. Caron, Quimby 834-3892 Wdn. Charles S. Allen IV, Fort Kent 834-3420 Wdn. Sgt. Michael H. Ayer, Fort Kent Wdn. Dennis R. Burnell, St. Francis ( 418) 859-2370 Wdn. Philip L. Dumond, Estcourt Stn. ( 418) 356-3221 Wdn. Cpl. Rodney D. Sirois, St. Pamphile ( 418) 244-6363 Wdn. Frederick W. Jackson, Daaquam Wdn. Terrence A. Hunter, Clayton Lake WARDEN PILOT 444-5307 Wdn. Pilot John McPhee, Plaisted

C BIG GAME SEASONS, 1977

WALTER G. HINDS

Deer hunters took 31,430 whitetails in Maine last fall, about a 5 per cent increase over the 1976 season. By counties, the 1977 tally of deer registrations was as follows: Androscoggin (610), Aroostook (3,681), Cumberland (1,043), Franklin (1,246), Hancock (1 ,869), Kennebec (1,699), Knox (806) Lincoln (1,214), Oxford (2,098), Penobscot (4,008), Piscataquis (2,349), Sagadahoc (452), Somerset (3,277), Waldo (2,359), Washington (2,030), York (2,687), unknown (2). Twelve counties showed increases in deer registrations in 1977, led by Androscoggin (up 15 per cent), and Aroostook (up 11.5 per cent). Franklin, Sagadahoc, Washington, and York counties were down slightly in 1977 . Leading all counties in deer kill per square mile in 1977 was Waldo County with 3.85. York County followed with 3.62 registered deer per square mile. Of the 31,430 total deer kill, 24,879 were taken by Maine resident hunters. Seventy-six archers were successful in 1977, all but two of them residents of Maine; this is a new record for bow hunters. Bear hunters took 1,066 bruins in 1977, 58 more than in 1976. Of the total, 586 were registered by nonresident hunters. The top county was Aroostook (270), followed by Penobscot (196). More bear were registered in September (28 per cent of total) than any other month; next was June (19 per cent). Seven bear were taken by hunters using bow and arrow.

Like his father before him, Walter G. Hinds made a career of raising fish for the State of Maine. He was born in Oquossoc, where his father worked at the hatchery, in 1920. In 194 7, after 3 Yi years in the armed forces, Walter went to work for the Fish and Game Department as a fish culturist. He was promoted to assistant fish hatchery foreman in 1969 and to foreman in 1976. On March 31 , 1978, Walter Hinds died unexpectedly at his home at the New Gloucester hatchery where he had been stationed his entire career. He will be missed by all who knew him.

DEER WINTER REPORT

Maine's 1978 deer hunting seasons were scheduled to be set in late May, too late to be included in this issue. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Maynard F. Marsh will set season dates after he and his Advisory Council have heard and discussed reports from field personnel on the status of the deer herd in their regions. Through April, it appeared that the herd as a whole had come through the worst part of the winter in good shape. Most of the winter was rated "easier than usual" in most areas of the state. Only during the first half of February did snow depth and other conditions adverse to deer survival approach the critical level over a large part of the state.

As is often the case, the western and northwestern portions of the state had the worst and most prolonged conditions adversely affecting deer. In particular, Wildlife Management Unit 3, the western mountain area, experienced a moderately severe winter and is the only portion of the state where a slight decrease in deer numbers is expected. Elsewhere, deer populations should be about the same or slightly increased. Interestingly and fortunately, Maine escaped the full force of the memorable winter of 197 8 by being too far north. Several storms that raised havoc in southern New England and the mid-Atlantic states were of little or no consequence in Maine.

Likes Harnesses I have been reading your fine magazine for some time now and felt it was time to express my feelings to you. The photographs on the covers, by Mr. Cross and Mr. Carbone, are always a joy to look at. These men deserve a great deal of credit for their contributions. The article that finally led me to write appeared in the fall 1977 issue. It was on how to make your own "inner tube snowshoe harnesses," by Warden Pilot John M. McPhee. I have snow'shoed a few miles myself, but the harnesses I made after reading this article are the best I've ever used. The pictures and write-up made them easy to construct, and I ike Warden McPhee said in his article, "the price isn't bad either." A typical price for bindings is $8 .50 to $16.00. The cost of these in the article if you find a used tube, as I did - is about 50 cents. The money saved on one pair will buy a three year subscription to your magazine (enclosed). How about some more articles like this from our wardens and biologists? Phillip E. Hopkins Orrington, Maine

BRIEFS

For the second year in a row, the Department's Wildlife Division has released wild turkeys in York County. Nine toms and 13 hens were released this winter in the town of York. They were trapped from wild flocks in Vermont and held in captivity only long enough to be transported to their new home. The DiviMaine Fish and Wildlife - Spring 1978

A survey taken of Maine's loon population last summer showed a correlation between the presence of people and the absence of loons. The survey covered about half of Maine's lakes of over 10 acres and showed that about half of these had loons. The average was about two pairs per lake. However, lakes in the southern portion of the state, from Sebago Lake south, were almost totally devoid of loons. The greatest absence of loons was noted around major population centers and highly used summer lakes regions. Probable causes: heavy shoreline development, boat traffic, loon harassment and nest disturbance.

sion is trying to determine the potential for re-establishing turkey flocks in Maine.

Early in May, 17 new game wardens - including Maine's first woman warden - began working in their assigned districts. All had successfully completed eight weeks of intensive warden school training at the University of Maine at Orono. This was followed by two weeks of applied training in real field situations at Swan Island in Richmond. The 1975 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, compiled for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by National Analysts, shows almost 96 million Americans nine years of age and older participated in one or more forms of wildlife-related recreation in 197 5. The figures in the survey, which has been expanded to include people who neither hunt nor fish , include 20.6 million hunters, 53.9 million anglers, and more than 49 million people who observe wildlife.

According to a recent Nielsen survey, many women are discovering the pleasures and challenges of hunting and fishing. In 1970, some nine million women went fishing and nearly 900,000 women hunted. However, the survey revealed that by 1976, the numbers of fishing women were up to 21 million and the women who hunt had climbed to more than 1.5 million.

Recreational Safety Officer Gary Anderson says that preventive medicine is the best way to deal with the biggest hazanl of early season fishing and boating - cold water. Before each spring trip, take large doses of his advice: Use an adequate craft for your purpose and the water you'll be on. Watch the weather. Stay away from dangerous waters. Avoid overloading.

THE LABEL HELPS

If you are renewing your subscription. notify ing us of an address change, or have any other reason to write about your s ubscription to MAINE FISH AND WILDLIFE, please include a label from your magazine, or at least a copy of all the information on the label. It will greatly help speed the processing. Of course, if you are moving we must also have your new mailing address, including zip code. We must have this information at least four weeks in advance of the next publication date. The magazine is not forwarded automatically. 1978 LICENSE FEES

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In recognition of 14 years of voluntary assistance to the Warden Service, a Falmouth resident, Earle P. Moore, Jr., (right) recently received an Award of Merit from Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Maynard F. Marsh. In addition to having a full-time job and being a deputy sheriff in several counties, Moore has worked with game wardens Winfield Gordon of Warren, now retired , and Richard Hennessey of Jefferson an average of about 700 hours annually, without compensation. He has traveled an average of about 7,000 miles a year at his own expense to do his volunteer warden work. Moore has been directly involved with the apprehension of about 500 fish and wildlife law violators, including more than 100 night hunting cases.

Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

'.'lonresident C itizen Big Game Hunting- JO )rs. and o\·er Alien Big Game Hunling'.'ionresident Small Game Hunting16 y·rs. and over '.'lonresident Junior Small Game Hunting- JO-IS )·rs .• inc. '.'lonresident Archery Hunling12 yrs. and oHr (permit~ hunting during all open seasons lhroughoul )·ear) Nonresident Junior Fishing12-15 yr~. inc '.'lonresident Season Fishing16 y·rs. and over 'iionresident IS-day Fishing '.'lonresident 7-day Fishing Resident or nonresidenl 3-day Fishing Resident Fishing- 16 y-rs. and over Resident Junior Hunting10-15 yrs . in(', Resident H unting- 16 yrs. and o\·er Re ·ident Combination Hunting and Fishing- O ve r age 70 Resident Combination Hunting and Fishing- 16 yrs. and ovei Resident Service man Combination Resident Archery HuntingJO y·rs. and over Residenl Combination Fishing and Archery· HuntingResident Trapping (State"'ide) Residenl Guide- 18 y n,. and o\er

$ 60.50

I00 .00 30.50 IS.SO

30.50 4.00 25.50 IS.SO 12 .50 7.50 7.50 I.SO 7.50 free 12 .50 3.50 7.50 12 .50 13.00 32.00

REMOTE PONDS-Continued from page 19.

water quality and outdoor beauty were more important to them than convenience of access or facilities available. When asked if " a certain number of waters should be preserved as 'wilderness areas' where there is no human development and the only access is by trail or canoe," 77 per cent of Maine residents and 88 per cent of nonresidents answered affirmatively. Therefore, the Fish and Wildlife Department has recommended to LURC that a number of waters in the unorganized areas should be zoned as " remote ponds" and protected from intensive recreational use and development. They should be regulated to maintain opportunities for primitive recreation experiences of high aesthetic value to the anglers and others who enjoy their naturalness, beauty, and solitude. The Fish and Wildlife Department defines remote ponds as those waters and their immediate environment which retain their natural character and influences, where permanent effects of man's use of t}:le natural resources are unnoticeable. These include ponds which are now inaccessible by two-wheel-drive vehicle within one-half mile, and whose shorelines remain undeveloped or have development limited to one noncommercial remote camp. They must now provide or be capable of supporting cold-water game fish populations. T IS SIGNIFICANT that fewer than 10 per cent of the lakes and ponds in the unorganized areas, representing only 2 percent of the surface water area, now meet these criteria . To maintain these remote ponds for future generations of anglers and other recreationists, the Fish and Wildlife Department has recommended that LURC zone the land area within one-half mile of the water. The one-half mile distance is considered the minimum necessary for a pond to be considered remote, and the minimum desirable to manage an area for low density recreational use. Within this area, the Department has recommended, access should be limited to trails or tote roads, with no roads that would allow permanent vehicular access to the ponds. To continue the low recreational use these areas now receive, the Department has recommended against the use of vehicles, outboard motors, or aircraft in remote pond areas during the open water period. This recommendation does not extend to snowmobiling, as most of

the ponds are not open to ice fishing, and such access during the winter does not pose a problem. Restricting permanent road access and motorized recreational equipment during the open water season should, however, keep down the total number of visitors to remote ponds. Perhaps it may also reduce the number of return trips by these visitors. The Department has also recommended that development which would permanently alter the nature of remote ponds or the lands around them should not be permitted within the one-half mile area. The one-half mile areas around remote ponds identified for zoning and regulation are in most cases located in privately owned forests managed for their timber resources. The Fish and Wildlife Department recognizes that timber harvesting and other forest management activities should continue. These uses do not permanently alter the natural character of the land. Temporary roads will be necessary in remote pond areas during harvesting operations. After the operations are completed, we recommend that roads which permit access within one-half mile of remote ponds be discontinued or made impassable to vehicular traffic. This should help assure that the Âˇ areas can once again be used for low intensity recreation. The Fish and Wildlife Department's proposals for remote ponds will affect only a small percentage of the waters in the unorganized areas. The proposals are designed to maintain fish populations by protecting ponds from heavy use and to maintain the natural environment so important to fishing and other recreational activities. Yet, they allow for continued management and use of the timber resources in the areas around the porids. We believe that the proposals will assist in the fishery management of these waters. Our recommendations are consistent with the objectives of the Land Use Regulation Commission. They offer a constructive approach toward the ultimate goal of true miltiple use management of the fo rest lands in these sections. S FUTURE for forest products, recreaA tion, and development increase, areas zoned as remote ponds will continue to provide opportunities DEMANDS

for primitive recreation. The present rate at which road networks are expanding some near lakeshores dramatizes the urgency for zoning remote ponds now. Any delay will reduce the chances for maintaining present conditions for future generations of Maine citizens. Maine needs not only zoning by the Land Use Regulation Commission and good fishery and forest management practices, but also the understanding and co-operation of both landowners and recreationists. With these assurances, remote ponds will continue to provide for a special type of recreational experience in Maine's unorganized areas, one that is becoming increasingly rare in the northeastern United States. D Maine Fish and Wildlife -

Spring 1978

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Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

284 State St.

Augusta, Maine 04333