BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 30, 2025
There is a monster loose upon the lands and waters of Maine: the Bucket Stocker. Why would any person willfully introduce crappies or bass into a classic Maine trout or salmon fishery? Is it a revenge crime? Do these individuals, in a moment of deluded thinking, fancy themselves as some kind of fishing activists hell-bent on transforming Maine into their own fantasy concept of a diverse fishery? These bucket stockers are a disaster for Maine’s nationally known and priceless cold-water sport fishery. Because of Maine’s vast network of drainages and interconnected waterways, a fish that is invasive — and illegally introduced — can wind up almost anywhere. This is happening in spades. Bass are increasingly being found in formerly pristine trout waters. In Maine, illegal stocking is a Class E crime, with fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and a mandatory suspension or revocation of fishing licenses for one to five years. ~ V. Paul Reynolds