In spite of spring conditions that have left many of the state’s lakes and ponds with thick coverings of ice, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has decided it won’t extend ice fishing season on northern lakes and ponds beyond the end of March.
According to DIF&W, the department did consider the extension, but opted not to take action this year.
“People have made requests to the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to extend the ice-fishing season due to current ice and snow depths in portions of the state,” Commissioner Chandler E. Woodcock said in a prepared statement issued through his assistant, Christl Theriault Thursday morning. “The Department has given serious consideration to these requests and although we appreciate the positive aspects the extensions might bring, we will not be extending the season this year.”
Some ice anglers who post on social media about their sport had been openly lobbying for an extension of the season. Such a change would require an emergency action by the Maine Legislature. Woodcock’s statement addressed that, and said hinted that a more flexible plan might be in the works in future years.
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