What to do if you catch an illegal fish in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 14, 2021

Fishing regulations vary widely across the state, which means anglers need to know the laws for the waters they fish. Knowing those details, and being able to correctly identify different fish, can be the difference between enjoying a successful outing or facing the embarrassment, and possible legal ramifications, of harvesting a fish illegally. If the realization is made when the fish is still in the water, every attempt should be made to release it without removing it. If the fish has been pulled from the water, hook removal should be done as fast as possible.