Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

07/08/2025

There are over 30,000 miles of rivers and streams winding across Maine. Brook trout are in 21,000 of those miles, but landlocked salmon only occupy 300.

The Crooked River is 62 miles long and represents a significant portion of quality landlocked salmon habitat. This is one reason so many people have come together to protect the Sebago Lake watershed and restore the natural flow of the Crooked River.

76% of spawning habitat and 83% of nursery habitat for landlocked salmon is above the Edes Falls Dam. Removal of the remaining portions of the dam has given landlocked salmon unrestricted access to a significant amount of habitat, particularly when low water conditions prohibited their movement.

Watch the video to learn about the scientific data, ecological and historical considerations, planning, and collaboration that went into this successful project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WU8806voPK4

The Edes Falls Dam along the Crooked River in Maine had become an obstacle for wild landlocked salmon to access upstream habitat. With limited habitat found ...

07/08/2025

Get ready, educators! Project Wild and Growing Up Wild trainings are going to change the way you bring the outdoors into your lesson plans.

Classroom teachers, scout leaders, nature center educators, youth group leaders, and homeschool teachers, and more are all welcome to join us at Viles Arboretum for hand-on training, networking, and lots of fun trying out Project WILD and Growing Up Wild curriculum activities.

Earn continuing education credits, trade ideas, and spend some time outdoors while we walk you through ways to teach natural science and encourage kids of all ages to explore the Maine outdoors.

Project WILD K-12 Terrestrial Guide Training: July 30
Growing up WILD: August 13

Learn more about each program and register at https://vilesarboretum.coursestorm.com/category/project-wild

07/07/2025

Maine hunters have a strong conservation history which includes protection of wildlife habitat.

Since 2022, $12 from each antlerless deer hunting permit is deposited into the Maine Deer Management Fund which has helped acquire and manage over 10,000 acres of deer wintering areas in Maine.

This land provides critical winter habitat for white-tailed deer at the northern end of their range while protecting habitat and providing research and management opportunities for a wide variety of other fish and wildlife species.

And that's not all. These lands are managed as Wildlife Management Areas, preserving public access for all kinds of recreation for generations to come!

Learn more about how funds from antlerless deer permits contribute to wildlife conservation in our blog:

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/blogs/mdifw-blog/funds-antlerless-deer-permits-help-purchase-over-10000-acres-critical-habitat

Hunters help fund land acquisition – protecting important wildlife habitat for hundreds of species.

07/05/2025

Maine's beaches are bustling with holiday festivities, summer fun, nesting shorebirds, and brand new piping plover chicks zipping around the sand on their speedy little legs. Be sure to share the shore this weekend!

Signs, twine, and fencing help beachgoers avoid accidental disturbance of known piping plover nests but protection of chicks relies on your keen eye. They start exploring the whole beach almost immediately after hatching, but it's 28 days before they fly, so watch your step!

There are 174 pairs of piping plovers on Maine's beaches this year, a number we are thrilled to see as recovery of this Endangered Species continues. It emphasizes that your willingness to share the shore is working! Keep up the good work.

🤍 Give plovers space. Stay out of marked areas and take pictures from an ethical distance. Pay attention to adult plover behavior. They're not shy about saying you're too close.
🤍 Respect pet restrictions. On beaches where pets are permitted, using a leash is a simple conservation action.
🤍 Keep activities like flying kites and playing catch close to the water's edge, and fill in big holes before you go so chicks don't fall in or get stuck.
🤍Leave no trace. Trash attracts predators.

Maine Coastal Birds Maine Audubon

07/04/2025

Keep yourself, your family, other boaters, swimmers, wildlife, and this guy safe this holiday weekend! Never drink and boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Maine Game Wardens will see you out there for Operation Dry Water July 4-6. Have fun and stay safe.

07/04/2025

Warning: Our latest fishing report is likely to make you catch the adventure bug…and lots of fish! 😎

If you’re planning a paddle, heading out for a hike, getting your boat wet, or going upta camp, pack a fishing rod! You never know when you’ll stumble across your new favorite spot.

This fishing report lists tons of places to check out plus provides tips for beating the heat, getting off the beaten path, tailrace fishing, fly fishing the hex hatch, and more.

Tight lines!

mefishwildlife.com/fishingreport

07/03/2025

Headway speed is the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft. It's also the speed that protects Maine wildlife, keeps swimmers safe, and prevents erosion.

Please mind your wake on the lake this holiday weekend and all season long. Maine law requires headway speed within 200ft of any shorelines, including islands, and within marinas or approved anchorages in coastal or inland waters.

When participating in wakesurfing activity, you must be in at least 15 feet of water and must be more than 300 feet off the shoreline.

07/03/2025

The Maine Warden Service is looking for more information regarding an illegal dumping case in the town of Cherryfield, in an area between Rocky Ridge and Baseline Road, where someone dumped construction debris and deer parts on property owned, managed, and generously opened to the public for recreation by one of Maine's largest private landowners.

The warden service has several strong leads they are following up in this case, but if you have any information that would assist in bringing this to an even quicker conclusion, please contact the Maine Warden Service through the Bangor State Police Dispatch at 207-973-3700. If you know the person who did this, please encourage them to turn themselves in.

Littering consistently ranks as one of the top reasons why Maine's private landowners choose to close their land, and this was not the first strike at this location.

Last fall, game wardens and volunteers cleaned up this very spot during our annual Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day. Unfortunately, construction material and the remnants of a deer were found carelessly dumped in this wooded area owned by Wyman's.

Most people show great respect for our natural resources and Maine landowners, but just one litterbug can ruin access for everyone.

Show your support and appreciation for landowners like Wyman with a positive comment below, reach out to help a landowner you know, or take part in Landowner Appreciation Day this fall. Remember, Maine’s outdoor heritage relies on the generosity of large landowners like Wyman keeping their lands open to public use.

Find more ways to help through our Outdoor Partners Program at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/programs-resources/outdoor-partners-program/index.html

07/03/2025

Maine Game Wardens protect our natural resources AND the people who enjoy them. That includes holiday weekend boaters!

We’re committed to your safety. That’s why you’ll see us, and we’ll see you, out there for Operation Dry Water reinforcing the fact that impaired boating is impaired driving and the consequences are just as serious.

Last year, over 7,000 law enforcement officers from 485 agencies across the country participated in Operation Dry Water. Their efforts year after year have resulted in reduced alcohol-related boating fatalities, but boating safety starts with YOU.

Never drink and boat. Staying safe is the best way to keep the 4th of July fun going all weekend long.

07/02/2025

Crystal clear, clean waters are part of what makes Maine Vacationland!

If you visit our beautiful state this summer, you're bound to see Clean Drain Dry in action. It's just what Mainers do to protect our natural resources. Every water body, every time, to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

When you see just how special our waters are, you'll want to go all in for the Maine outdoors too. Visit the link below to learn how you can help preserve Maine's pristine waters during your next boating, paddling, or fishing adventure.

http://mefishwildlife.com/cdd

07/02/2025

Protecting the woods and waters of Maine—and those who enjoy them—is no easy task.

Maine Game Wardens undergo rigorous, comprehensive training before earning their badge. The 2025 Advanced Warden School was put to the test from day one, called to assist in an active search on Katahdin.

Responding to an emergency situation alongside experienced wardens provided a heavy dose of motivation for day 2 and beyond of their training. Follow along in our blog as we share their steps toward becoming Maine's newest protectors of the Maine Outdoors.

https://www.maine.gov/ifw/blogs/mdifw-blog/advanced-warden-school-weeks-1-3

Maine Game Wardens undergo rigorous, comprehensive training before earning their badge. Follow along as the Advanced Warden School 2025 class completes training.

07/01/2025

If you're lucky enough to spend the holiday weekend on one of Maine's beautiful waters, make it a safe one for yourself, wildlife, and everyone on the water. 🇺🇸

Learn more at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/boating/index.html