Togue size, bag limit rules discussed

GREENVILLE – There are not enough landlocked salmon in Moosehead Lake to make for an enjoyable fishing experience, because the more prevalent togue are crowding them out, according to state biologists. But new fishing rules passed in October should help restore the balance, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife biologist Paul Johnson told the Moosehead Lake Fishery Focus Group on Wednesday.

The Focus Group, established in 1999 by DIF&W, is a 10-member board of area residents and regional biologists that recommends management objectives for the lake.

The new rules increase the daily togue bag limit in Moosehead from three to five, with only one allowed greater than 18 inches.

“The togue numbers need to come down … but not sizewise. There, we are going to gain. Increasing the harvest of togue, we are going to help togue ages 2 and up [grow bigger],” Johnson said.

The current problem with togue is that the voracious fish have overrun Maine’s largest lake, decimating the population of smelts, which are a primary food for salmon. And the problem has been getting worse.

“In the overview of the spring smelt runs, we didn’t see many in many of the lake’s tributaries,” Johnson said. “If we manage them well, we can effect a recovery. They’re down. They’re not out.”

The daily bag limit on togue has been going up for the past seven years. In 1995, it was two, and since 1996 it has been three. Next year it will be five. The one consistency is the stipulation that only one togue may be larger than 18 inches.

Johnson said having a greater number of larger togue is not a problem because when the fish grow to 23-25 inches, their diet changes, and they feed on other fish such as suckers.

The new regulations should help the salmon.

This year’s data show that management objectives, which call for an angler being able to catch a salmon every three to four daily outings, is not being met.

“We’re not stocking enough, and we can’t, because of the growth [being restricted by competitors]. We need to get rid of the predators,” Johnson said.

For brook trout, Johnson said the objective of seeing anglers catch fish 12 inches or bigger every 20 outings was nearly met this year.

“Although we’re down, we’re on par with where we ought to be,” he said.

Discussion erupted when Johnson reported with some satisfaction on the status of large togue in Moosehead. This year, it took about eight angler outings to catch a togue 18 inches or larger, which is better than the objective of 20 outings.

“Is eight [outings] a good fishery? I want everyone here to go home and think about that,” said Ed Courtenay, a focus group member.

With the focus group due to review the lake’s management plan at its next meeting on Feb. 5, such questions will be considered. The last time the plan was revised was in 1999.

“Every plan should be taken out every few years,” Johnson said. “Have our priorities changed? We need to look at that.”

Deirdre Fleming covers outdoor sports and recreation for the NEWS. She can be reached at 990-8250 or at dfleming@bangordailynews.net.