Special Regulations for Openwater Fishing
(2000-2001)

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Waters which have exceptions to the General Law are listed by county. In most cases, the exception will be one of the codes listed below and may affect only a portion of the regulations that govern that particular body of water, i.e., only the bag limit on salmon is different from the General Law in which case it would read as follows: Smith Pond, Anytown. S-22. All other provisions of general law would apply.
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S-Codes and their Interpretations



  • S-1:   Closed to the taking of smelts.

  • S-2:   Closed to the taking of smelts, except by hook and line.

  • S-3:   Tributaries closed to the taking of smelts.

  • S-4:   Use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibit. (The use of dead fish, salmon eggs and worms are permitted.)

  • S-5:   Fly fishing only.

  • S-6:   Artificial lures only.

  • S-7:   Boundary waters with New Brunswick.

  • S-8:   Daily bag limit on trout: 1 fish.

  • S-9:   Border waters with New Hampshire.

  • S-10: Daily bag limit on togue: 1 fish.

  • S-11: Daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 2 fish in the aggregate.

  • S-12: No size or bag limit on bass and pickerel.

  • S-13: No size or bag limit on bass.

  • S-14: No bag limit on pickerel. From July 1st through September 30th, artificial lures only; minimum length limit on trout: 8 inches.

  • S-15: From April 1st to June 20th, daily bag limit on bass: 2 fish; all bass longer than 12 inches must be released; from June 21st to September 30th, daily bag limit on bass: 2 fish between 10 and 12 inches, except that 1 may exceed 16 inches.

  • S-16: Daily bag limit on brook trout (includes splake): 2 fish; minimum length limit: 12 inches, only 1 may exceed 14 inches.

  • S-17: Daily bag limit on brook trout (includes splake): 2 fish; minimum length limit: 10 inches, only 1 may exceed 12 inches.

  • S-18: Daily bag limit on brook trout (includes splake): 2 fish; minimum length limit: 8 inches.

  • S-19: Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish.

  • S-20: Daily bag limit on whitefish: 3 fish.

  • S-21: Minimum length limit on trout: 12 inches.

  • S-22: Daily bag limit on salmon: 1 fish.

  • S-23: EXTENDED SEASON - Remains open to fishing through October. From October 1st through October 31st: artificial lures only; all fish caught must be released alive at once.

  • S-24: EXTENDED SEASON - Remains open to fishing through November. From October 1st through November 30th: all trout, salomn, togue and bass must be released alive at once.

  • S-25: Smelts may be taken by use of 3 single-baited hooks spaced a minimum of four inches apart.

  • S-26: Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish; minimum length limit on trout: 8 inches, only 1 may exceed 12 inches.


S-Codes and their Interpretations



Home FAQ Association Boating Laws Community Contests Current Events Discussions Fishing
Links Living Local Laws Maps Marine Safety Past Events Photos State of Maine Water Education

E-mail: Contact the webmaster with your questions, comments or suggestions.

Special Regulations for Openwater Fishing
(2000-2001)