TIMES RECORD • March 12, 2026
March means the opening of Maine’s elver season — one of the most valuable fisheries in the state — often second only to lobster. These tiny, slithery American eels can be worth as much as $2,000 per pound or more. This state-regulated fishery is one of the most restricted and highly competitive fisheries to get into. For 2026, there were only 20 new licenses available through Maine’s lottery system. While there is plenty to say about the American eel, let’s shift our focus to a different type of eel. While Atlantic salmon populations are still very much in recovery, sea lampreys are an anadromous fish that has successfully recovered. Dam removals and improvements to water quality as well as other conservation efforts have brought them back to record numbers. ~ Susan Olcott