The Maine Warden Service is a bureau within the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife whose primary responsibility is to protect Maine's fish and wildlife resources. While fishing a lake or stream, you may meet a game warden patrolling the waters of the State of Maine...

You may be just stepping out of a canoe after a day of fishing on a remote trout pond, or casting into your favorite brook or stream when you meet a Maine Game Warden.

If you are stopped, the game warden may ask to see your fishing license, or examine your day's catch. These are routine activities that are part of a game warden's job. They are not singling you out because they think you are guilty of a crime. These inspections are necessary to protect fish and wildlife resources in Maine, and provide valuable information for our fishery management professionals. Over the course of a season, more than 40,000 anglers fishing in Maine may go through a similar inspection.

I encourage you to spend this time spent with a Maine game warden for your benefit. Maine game wardens are very knowledgeable about available fishing opportunities around the state. They can also provide you with safety related information, clarification of regulations or road directions (if you are in unfamiliar territory).

Your decision to purchase a license in Maine shows that you enjoy the woods and waters that make Maine such a unique place. Please help us protect this resource for future generations.