Maine Revised Statutes
Subchapter 2: LICENSE AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS
12 §12510. Permit to stock inland waters

§12510. Permit to stock inland waters
1. Permit required. Except as otherwise authorized pursuant to this Part, a person may not introduce fish of any kind into any inland waters without a valid permit issued under this section. A person who violates this subsection commits a Class E crime, except that, notwithstanding Title 17‑A, section 1704, the fine may not be less than $1,000 or more than $10,000.
[PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §21 (AMD).]
2. Issuance. The commissioner may issue a written permit allowing a person to introduce fish of any kind into any inland waters by means of live fish or otherwise.
[PL 2003, c. 414, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF).]
3. Limited permit. The commissioner may issue a written limited permit to a local government under this subsection. A limited permit:
A. Allows the local government to introduce fish only into a great pond that:
(1) Is within the jurisdiction of the local government; and
(2) Was previously stocked by the department and in which stocking was suspended prior to January 1, 2019 and has not been resumed by the department due to inadequate public access; [PL 2019, c. 263, §1 (NEW).]
B. Allows the introduction of only:
(1) The same species of fish that was stocked at the time the department suspended stocking; and
(2) Fish obtained by the local government at its own expense from an in-state commercial facility that meets testing and health guidelines approved by the department; and [PL 2019, c. 263, §1 (NEW).]
C. May be issued only if the local government identifies public access to the great pond that:
(1) Is at least suitable for the hand carrying of boats to the water;
(2) Includes a parking area; and
(3) Has been marked with signage adequate to ensure public awareness of the public access. [PL 2019, c. 263, §1 (NEW).]
For purposes of this subsection, "local government" means a municipality or, in the unorganized territory, a county.
[PL 2019, c. 263, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2003, c. 414, §A2 (NEW). PL 2003, c. 414, §D7 (AFF). PL 2003, c. 614, §9 (AFF). PL 2019, c. 113, Pt. C, §21 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 263, §1 (AMD).