Resolve, Regarding the Management of Maine's Brook Trout and Landlocked Salmon Resources
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0679
Committee: Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Sponsors: HUBBELL, LANGLEY, CASSIDY, EVANGELOS, KUSIAK, MAKER, SHORT, HASKELL

Legislative Document 
No. 679 
H.P. 471 
House of Representatives, February 26, 2013 
Resolve, Regarding the Management of Maine's Brook Trout and 
Landlocked Salmon Resources 
Reference to the Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife suggested and ordered 
printed. 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative HUBBELL of Bar Harbor. 
Cosponsored by Senator LANGLEY of Hancock and 
Representatives: CASSIDY of Lubec, EVANGELOS of Friendship, KUSIAK of Fairfield, 
MAKER of Calais, McCABE of Skowhegan, SHORT of Pittsfield, Senator: HASKELL of 
Cumberland. 
Preamble. Whereas, this State has nearly 600 wild and native brook trout lakes 
and ponds, which is 96% of the brook trout lakes in the entire nation; and 
Whereas, this State has over 175 landlocked salmon waters, the largest number in 
the country; and 
Whereas, the more we know about these cold-water species, the more we can work 
towards goals to strengthen their place in our heritage and economic livelihood; and 
Whereas, unlike in the past, very few older landlocked salmon of hatchery origin 
are being seen, and the State does not have a statewide policy to address this issue; and 
Whereas, it is important to minimize the negative impact of species that compete 
with brook trout and landlocked salmon in our waters and to develop a cohesive and 
well-planned agenda for improving our stock of landlocked salmon and wild and native 
brook trout; and 
Whereas, it is important for the State, through the Department of Inland Fisheries 
and Wildlife, to establish policies and promote practices that recognize the unique and 
lasting value of Maine's landlocked salmon and brook trout and will enhance the 
prominence of those fish; now, therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Brook trout and landlocked salmon; protection.  Resolved:  That 
the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall examine the following issues and 
recommend policies and develop a statewide plan to address them: 
1.  The State's potential to increase and attain greater economic benefit from the 
State's landlocked salmon and wild and native brook trout populations; 
2.  The effects of competition with other fish species, including competition resulting 
from stocking activity, on the State's populations of landlocked salmon and wild and 
native brook trout; and 
3.  The reduction in the number of older landlocked salmon from hatcheries; and be it 
further 
Sec. 2.  Report findings.  Resolved:  That the Department of Inland Fisheries and 
Wildlife shall submit a report by January 15, 2014 to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that includes suggested legislation implementing the 
policies and statewide plan under section 1.  The Joint Standing Committee on Inland 
Fisheries and Wildlife is authorized to submit a bill relating to the report to the Second 
Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to examine 
certain issues with respect to the current status of brook trout and landlocked salmon in 
the State and recommend policies and develop a statewide plan to address these issues.  
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is required to report by January 15, 
2014 to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with suggested 
legislation, and the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is 
authorized to submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.