Unless more restrictive rules are adopted by the department, the following restrictions apply to methods of fishing and the season for Atlantic salmon.

1. 1. Catch and release only All fishing for Atlantic salmon is catch and release, except for Atlantic salmon lawfully raised by means of aquaculture.

   [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §8 (NEW).]

2. 2. Method of fishing A person may not fish for Atlantic salmon in waters of the State by any means other than hook and line with an unweighted artificial fly.

   [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §8 (NEW).]

3. 3. Closed season A person may not fish for Atlantic salmon from waters of the State by any means from October 16th to April 30th.

   [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §8 (NEW).]

4. 4. Open season The department may establish by rule an open season during which a person may fish for Atlantic salmon. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

   [PL 2019, c. 225, §6 (AMD).]

PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. QQ, §8 (NEW). PL 2019, c. 225, §§5, 6 (AMD).