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RANGELEY – “Mooselookmeguntic Lake’s landlocked salmon need your help” reads a message from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The landlocked salmon has been one of Maine’s most highly prized sport fish and Mooselookmeguntic Lake in the Rangeley Lakes Region has been one of the premier places to catch this game fish for over 125 years.
The community is holding a weekend salmon fishing event, the “Mooselook Salmon Initiative” on June 11, 12, 13 on Mooselookmeguntic Lake. There is currently an overabundance of landlocked salmon in Mooselookmeguntic Lake, known to many as “Mooselook.” This has led to a decline in the growth rates and quality of salmon available to anglers.
“Reducing numbers of land-locked salmon, particularly the smaller fish between 12 and 16 inches, is important to restore the lake’s forage (smelts) to a level that can support better growth for the salmon,” said event organizer Gerry White from River’s Edge Sports.
Because this salmon fishery is supported entirely by natural reproduction, harvest by anglers is the only tool for reducing the number of salmon and restoring a reasonable balance between the salmon and their primary forage base which are smelts,” said IFW Regional Fisheries Biologist Dave Boucher.
Since 2006, additional salmon harvest has been encouraged by Mooselook’s fisheries managers, with a 12-inch minimum and a three fish daily bag limit. This has worked to prevent a further decline in the quality of salmon in Mooselookmeguntic Lake, but more harvest is necessary if dramatic improvements are to be realized.
“Increasing the salmon harvest should, over time, improve the average size of salmon available to anglers, and enhance the value of sport fisheries in the lake and its tributaries, including the Kennebago River,” Boucher said.
Lower salmon abundance should also benefit the lake’s very special wild brook trout population through reduced competition and improved forage. The department enthusiastically supports the newly formed Mooselook Salmon Initiative. This a initiative recently adopted by a group of guides, camp owners, and recreational fishermen supported by the Rangeley Region Guides’ & Sportsmen’s Assoc. (RRG&SA), Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), Rangeley, Lakes Chamber of Commerce, MDIFW and the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.
The object is to catch and remove as many legal salmon as possible,” White said. Existing length and bag limit regulations will still be in effect. Participants can register at the lake’s boat landings or at River’s Edge Sports in Oquossoc during the weekend of the event. Anglers can enjoy the tasty salmon themselves or donate them to available representatives of the local food bank.
Because many boats are expected from various waters around the state, courtesy boat inspectors will be on hand to greet event participants and to inspect boats and trailers to prevent any invasive aquatic plants from being introduced to the lake. Registration is free and you will receive a packet of informational material including complimentary memberships to the Rangeley Region Guides & Sportsman’s Association and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, coupons, gift certificates, and more from Rangeley area businesses.
For more information visit www.rangeleyguidesandsportsmen.org
Or call River’s Edge Sports 864-5582.
