Popular with anglers looking for lobster fishing charters in maine captain matt operates a 35 harold gower classic downeaststyle lobster boat with plenty of room to move around. Each lobster fishing area has its own set of rules and regulations, many of which are similar to rules in other lobster fishing spots. Lobster fishing is most active in the gulf of maine, bay of fundy, southern gulf of st. Lobsters are harvested yearround, mostly in maine and new hampshire. Either trip will provide a topnotch experience in this quintessential fishing village. As spring fills the air, lobstermen fill their boats with traps and head out on the ocean. We try to update regulations before the start of the fishing season for each fishery. I started making this video to show my family and friends.
Maine lobster is the sweetest, most flavorful lobster on earth. Hi no the lobster laws in maine are pretty straightforward. Lobster fishing and dealer license applications and renewals. Its new shell season the period between july and the holidays.
Lucky catch lobster cruises gives passengers tours on casco bay in portland, maine. Maine seafood guide crab maine sea grant university. Like every year, we held a brief meeting at the maine fishermans forum at the samoset resort in rockport on 7 march. First half of maines lobstering season painfully slow for. Aug 25, 2017 its the best time of year to go to maine, which just happens to coincide with when the lobster here is the tastiest. For starters, you cant legally go lobstering unless youre a licensed fisherman. And yes, it had to be february, cause at any other time in the season. While a lobster bake is not a central part of friendship day, lobster rolls and cooked lobster are sold at various. As spring fills the air, lobstermen fill their boats with traps and head out on the ocean to set their gang. These include knowing the time limits for catching lobsters within a day, the maximum number of lobsters you can catch in a day, and the number of lobster traps you can have on your fishing boat. The distribution of maine s major lobster ports suggests that the lobster industry is influential across the entirety of the coast, but there are key ports of particular importance for maine lobstermen figure 1.
And when you stay in one of our accommodations, youll never be too far away from the best things about maine lobster season. The total catch was nearly 120 million pounds last year, and the. Statewide general fishing laws general fishing laws for inland waters. Lobster fishing is a little bit different than regular fishing in that it presents new challenges and requires less equipment. In general, the best lobsters can be caught before memorial day or after labor day than at any time in between. Maine lobster season, about lobster season in maine. You will be required to follow these state laws and rules. Apr 03, 2018 come along and learn all you need to know about lobstering in maine for a full day of maine lobster fishing.
At catch a piece of maine, subscribers can adopt a lobster pot and receive the traps harvest all year long. Lobster fishing is considered a hazardous occupation by niosh. For example, the spiny lobster season runs from august 1 through march 31 in the bahamas, and from august 6 though march 31 in florida. How to find the fishing regulations for the water you want to fish. The winter months will be more offshore lobstering, while in the summer its inshore fishing. Slow lobster season so far in maine, but price is steady. The recreational lobster fishing season starts at 6. Heres the inside story from an interview with a york, maine lobsterman whos experienced nearly 40 lobster seasons in maine. For the love of lobster a maine lobstering short film. May 07, 2018 the crew make the trip fun and interesting, providing information about the maine lobster fishing industry and the other wildlife in the harbor area.
Other edible crabs not including green crabs no size requirement. Dock prices are also down amid reports of light catches, leaving the industry worried but hoping for a rebound in the. You are not allowed to catch striped bass or lobster. The meat in softshell lobsters, colloquially known as shedders is sweeter and more tender than that of hardshell lobsters. May 31, 2018 this video was filmed with one camera. However, the main fishing season runs between late june and late december when the lobsters are active. When spearfishing, you must comply with all recreational fishing regulations regarding size, seasons and bag limits on the species. What you need to know about lobster fishing in maine. Lobster fishermen who become entangled in their trap line are at risk of drowning if they are pulled overboard. In fact a few brave souls will even set their traps in the dead of winter. In maine and canada lobster men and women follow the best management practices to maintain and sustain live lobster stocks along the north atlantic coast. Maine s lobster and tourism industries have a longstanding symbiotic relationship. A lobster fishing boat motors out of the harraseeket river under a dazzling sun this month in freeport. The lobster fishing season in maine usually kicks off in april.
In canada, about 10,000 licensed harvesters take part in 45 lobster fisheries 43 inshore with smallboat harvesters, one offshore and one closed to lobster fishing as a conservation measure area 40. Recreational fishing regulations by species noaa fisheries. Its new shell season the period between july and the holidays when. Maine seafood guide lobster maine sea grant university of. Mar 19, 2020 since the early 20th century, maine has relied heavily on the lobster industry for its contributions to both the state economy and identity. What you need to know about lobster fishing in maine topside inn. Many harvesters trap crabs to supplement their income from lobster and other fisheries. The short answer is that lobster fishing is year round endeavor in maine. The lobster season is full swing, with fall being the busiest time of year for maine fishermen. Powered by a 210 hp cummins diesel engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 11 knots, the vessel is safe, comfortable, and seaworthy. Current 20192020 recreational lobster fishing information. We buy directly at our familyowned wharf from local fisherman, which allows us to price our lobster reasonably and trace our lobster to where they are being caught daily.
The california spiny lobster panulirus interruptus takes a particularly special place within this group as a highly soughtafter target of both californias recreational and commercial fisheries. The lobster season is in the midst of its busiest time of. It has smaller claws compared to the lobsters from maine, and their meat is a bit firmer. Lobstering is done yearround off the coast of maine by the 6000 plus lobstermen mostly working out of small coastal communities. If you are a permit holder, you will receive notifications by mail.
The goal of sustainable lobster fishing in maine is to maintain a healthy lobster population. Maine is home to numerous lobster cooperatives and dealers who sell direct to consumers or to retail markets. Yearround, although the fishery in maine waters peaks in late. I was surprised by the length of the testskimming through the questions, i knew the answers to most, but certainly not all of them. Traditionally, lobster fishing in maine was strictly a commercial endeavor, so with this privilege, comes a level of responsibility on the part of the license holder. Tag manufacturers also maintain databases for each states. American lobster, homarus americanus in newfoundland, canada.
Maine seafood guide crab maine sea grant university of. One claw is a bigtoothed crusher claw for pulverizing shells, and the other is a fineredged ripper claw, resembling a steak knife, for tearing soft flesh. The two most valuable ports in maine, stonington and vinalhaven, alone bring in nearly a fifth 19. First half of maines lobstering season painfully slow for fishermen. In order to get a recreational license, you must be a maine resident, and you must pass a test. Maine imposed strict regulations limiting the catching of female lobsters, shortening the fishing season, and limiting allowable size range. Lobster from maine maine lobster marketing collaborative. The maine lobster season lobster fishing in spring setting out the traps.
Book a lobster fishing scenic tour on the mail boat. The use of all other legal forms of bait including worms and dead baitfishsmelts, artificial lures, and artificial flies is permitted. All season long, the maine lobster lady serves up award winning lobster rolls out of her food truck. Jonah and rock crabs can be harvested yearround from maine waters, although fall is peak season when the crabs are full of meat. With literally millions of buoys off the coast of maine, the industry supports thousands of jobs on shore, not just the people hauling traps. Maine is famous for its long and jagged rocky atlantic coastline where nature made a unique habitat in its pristine gulf of maine waters for our famous maine lobster. They do not seem as complicated as your laws for fishing. Either trip will provide a topnotch experience in this quintessential fishing. Fishermen had landed less than 50 million pounds by the end of september, a 38% decline from the 5year average. Marine resources have always been a traditional part of maines culture. Enjoy maine lobster season dockside guest quarters. Lobster fishing in maine penobscot bay history online. Commercial fishing regulators in the united states, such as the atlantic states marine fisheries commission and the national marine fisheries service, enforce restrictions through the use of lobster fishing licenses and lobster pot tags that correspond to the fishers permit number.
The last day of the season is march 18, 2020 at 12. Mar 18, 2020 as spring is just around the corner so is the start of the maine lobster boat racing season. Its been part of the coastal region for generations and is sustainably harvested. You can try it jerked, steamed, curried, grilled, or taste a lobster in salads or soups. Lobsters may be stored and retrieved in excess of this limit, provided fishing activity is not occurring. Maine does not allow fleets of lobster boats because they want to keep lobster fishing with individual lobstermen, to support the local economy.
Remember that lobstering is a heavily regulated fishery and that the laws and rules that apply to commercial harvesters apply to the noncommercial lobstermen as well. What is the best time of year to buy lobster home seafood savvy lobster season. The freshwater fishing season lasts from april through september. Lobsters are harvested yearround in maine and new hampshire. Status the lobster fishery is the largest fishery in maine, accounting for more than 80% of the value of total commercial seafood landings in 2015. Lobsters are also caught in the winter and early spring, but in smaller numbers. Its the best time of year to go to maine and eat lobster. Oct 29, 2019 maine is by far the most productive lobster fishing state in the country, and the catch has been high for several straight years. Gulf of maine georges bank gomgbk and southern new. And, acquiring a maine lobster fishing license of your own isnt easy.
With trap endorsement, may fish 10 traps per household. The price of lobster in maine september 2016 mainely. By far, the most popular of our delicious and hearty meals featured on our extensive menus has to be the lobster and luckily, its always lobster season in our restaurants. There is not a lobster season for hard shelled lobster in maine as they can be fished year round. There are a few rules and regulations that you should know before you plan an extravagant lobster. New regulations are published in the federal register, and will be updated here after publication. American lobster is a crustacean with a large shrimplike body and 10 legs, two of which are large, strong claws. Maine lobster festivals and coastal events 2020 dates. I was curious about the test, wondering if my practical knowledge would translate on paper. Maine seafood guide lobster maine sea grant university.
From fishing for cod back in the 1800s to new species such as urchins and sea cucumbers, many generations of mainers have derived their income from the sea. The trip, which takes place on a working lobster boat, is both informative and interactive. However, regulations may change at any point during the year. Regardless of the season, lobster fishing is easily the most active in the. Twentythree canneries processed over 9 million lobsters, and many said the fishery had peaked in the 1870s. There is no special maine lobster season for the hardshell lobsters that are more commonly shipped out of state, since lobstering is done yearround in the waters off maine. Lobster fishing is a family business here in maine, handed down from generation to generation. I hop on board the diversion out of south bristol, maine and go deep sea lobstering for. Jan 25, 2018 as members of a true new england seafood destination, we at weathervane seafood restaurants know what our guests like to eat.
Bringing a load home in the winter, fishing out of bucks harbor on the hammer down. Maine lobster fishing information travel tips usa today. Use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited. However, the majority are caught between late june and late december when the lobsters are the most active.
However, the high dependence on lobster has turned the fishery into a gilded trap, or a valuable monoculture, that is vulnerable to the effects of climate. Its the best time of year to go to maine, which just happens to coincide with when the lobster here is the tastiest. Unlike the cold water lobsters from maine, warm water lobsters from places like the caribbean do have a fishing season, which varies by region. Come along and learn all you need to know about lobstering in maine for a full day of maine lobster fishing.
The maine lobster species name, homarus americanus, sometimes referred to as the. See license requirements and fees terminal gear north zone. If you would like to receive an official copy of the 2020 maine open water and ice fishing laws by mail, please send your request by email or call us at 207 2878000. Jul 29, 2019 portland, maine ap its been a slow lobster season so far in maine, but the lack of crustaceans isnt translating into high prices for consumers, and fishermen are still hopeful for a. Best practices have been developed to prevent and reduce entanglement, and to facilitate getting fishermen who have fallen overboard back onto their vessels. Shedder season in maine usually occurs around early. Were proud to know that our lobstermen also hand down the best practices of sustainability and following catching regulations to a t. Below is my insiders overview of the maine lobster season an intimate look at the the ebb and flow of lobster fishing throughout the year. If youre in portland maine and want a more rustic experience to round out your stay, a lucky catch cruise lobster fishing trip is an excellent option.
Working under the state of maine s lobster fishing regulations, we practice sustainable fishing methods to ensure conservation for generations to come. Maine is by far the most productive lobster fishing state in the country, and the catch has been high for several straight years. While the stalwart fisherman of maine can be found lobstering pretty much year round, peak maine lobster season is between late june and late december. Its a perfect day trip for the biggest fans of our most famous crustaceans. Every summer, maine s coastal towns are flooded with people from all around the world hoping to eat. One february day, bob donnell and i sat in his kitchen and talked about the maine lobster season as he lives it. Absolutely delicious, and the setting is all maine. Maine lobster landings are way off, down 40% from last year. Lobster processors in maine, who produce fresh and frozen lobster products, include the following. Much of the summer and fall catch is processed or placed in enclosed pounds located in many of maine s bays, which allows for a winter supply of live lobster. As with many summertime festivals along the coast of maine, it features a pancake breakfast, parade, fireworks over the harbor and a chance to enjoy the fruits of the maine lobster season locally caught, new shell lobster. Ice fishing on frozen ponds and lakes generally lasts from january 1 until march 31. Similar restrictions today have preserved the lobster fishery while supporting record catches. The secret ingredient that makes maine lobster so delicious is being threatened abc news.
To learn more or make reservations for one a camden harbor cruise lobster fishing trip call 2072366672 or visit lobster fishing trips in downeast maine. I started in harpswell, maine and ended up on this boat. While lobster fishing may be the main reason to board a lobster boat, youll also get a tour of the stunning maine coastline and surrounding waters. What is the best time of year to buy lobster lobstering is done yearround off the coast of maine by the 6000 plus lobstermen mostly working out of small coastal communities. There are a few rules and regulations that you should know before you plan an extravagant lobster fishing trip of your own.
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