A year ago Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife biologists proposed a new slate of fishing regulations for Phillips Lake.

The goal: Reduce the vast number of undersized togue.

Several of the recommendations forwarded by biologists were accepted, including a decrease in the minimum length to 14 inches from 18 inches, and the increase in daily bag limit to three fish instead of two.

But one of the state’s most important recommendations – increasing the number of allowable ice fishing lines from two to five – was scrapped after lake residents began a petition drive.

In October state fisheries biologist Ron Brokaw promised the Lucerne Village Corporation that the state would resubmit that recommendation in the future … and he was right.

That proposal is back on the table, and two meetings are scheduled to discuss it. The first will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Dedham School gym. The second – the actual public hearing on the matter – will take place in Machias on Aug. 16.

The state’s biologists see line limits during ice fishing season as one of the tools of their trade, and think putting a bit more fishing pressure on Phillips Lake – “Lucerne” to many locals – would be a good idea.

The problem, Brokaw points out, is that some of the lake’s property owners don’t want any increased traffic on Phillips Lake, and are unwilling to let biologists make the lake any more attractive to anglers.

“No matter how many hours or days I talk and say that biologically, we need to go to five traps, [having two traps] limits use and [to] a Phillips Lake camp-owner, that’s what they like,” Brokaw said. “Fewer people fishing on, quote, ‘their’ lake.”

BOW program planned

Women looking to learn valuable outdoor skills will get that chance in September at a weekend program to be held in Winslow.

The Becoming an Outdoors Woman Introductory Skills Weekend will be held on Sept. 16-18 at Camp Caribou on Pattee Pond.

The price is $200 per person and includes food, lodging, all equipment and educational handouts. Some scholarships are available.

BOW programs, which are sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, are designed primarily for women age 18 and older.

A complete hunter safety certification course is available as a course strand for the weekend.

This year’s event also features several new course options including self-defense, women’s wellness, wild edibles, small motorboat handling, and a ropes course.

The BOW brochure and registration form are posted at www.mefishwildlife.com, and coordinator Emily Jones can be reached at 287-8069 or emily.jones@maine.gov.

Registration is first-come, first-served, and the deadline is Aug. 29.

West Grand paddle race on tap

The Downeast Lakes Land Trust will host a fund-raising flat-water paddle race on West Grand Lake on Aug. 13.

There will be recreational and racing categories and a kids race. Paddlers can compete in a 6-mile or a 12-mile race.

The registration is $25, which includes food and drinks on the water and an awards cookout after the race.

Any non-motorized boat is welcome.

For more information, contact Elisa Sousa at 796-2100, www.downeastlakes.org or send e-mail to downeastlakes@earthlink.net.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.