Contact:
Jim Cyr
Communications Director
Office of the Maine Senate President
(207) 287-1501

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA – Ice Fishing Season in Maine has been extended this year until April 16, 2017, due to the unusually cold weather that has continued into spring.

The extended season is the result of a legislative resolve (LD 1218), sponsored by Senator Paul Davis (R-Piscataquis), that allows the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to adopt emergency rules to extend the ice fishing season on the inland waters of the state if the extension is warranted due to weather conditions.

Senator Davis said, “While southern Maine lakes and ponds have seen significant thawing, many of those in the northern and western parts of the state are still covered with ice. This will allow anglers who can’t take advantage of the open water season to keep fishing until mid-April.

“I am glad we were able to work with the governor’s office to get this done quickly for the people of Maine.”

Senator Scott Cyrway (R-Kennebec), who chairs the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee, said, “I am pleased that we were able to expedite this matter so that Mainers can continue to go ice fishing and enjoy the great outdoors. I believe many people will take advantage of this extension.”

Ice conditions can change rapidly in the spring, so the ice thickness should always be tested before going out onto any waterways, Maine game wardens say.

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