Maine Bait Ban Proposal Divides Fishermen

February 21, 2007 By: Marshall Cutchin

Intended to prevent the accidental spread of non-native and parasitic species into native brook trout streams, Bill LD 163 has bait sellers upset and ice fishermen vilifying fly fishers. “In several online forums, ice anglers have charged that fly fishermen are proposing the bill in an attempt to chip away at their right to use any live bait as well as their access to waterways. Bait fishermen have also accused their fly-tying colleagues of elitism.” Kevin Miller in the Bangor Daily News.