The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife has announced a partnership with the Maine office of Tourism to promote statewide fishing opportunities on its tourist Web site, www.visitmaine.com.

Fishing is one of three specialty topics on the site, joining Maine cuisine and the state’s historic lighthouses.

More than 1 million people check the Web site each year in order to plan their Maine vacation. Roland “Dan” Martin, commissioner of the DIF&W, said including fishing as a specialty page will make it easier for tourists to join Mainers on our lakes and rivers.

Among the points of emphasis on the fishing page:

. Maine has more miles of native brook trout waters – plus ponds and streams – than any other state in the country.

. Maine has the largest wild native brook trout populations in the country.

. Besides Alaska, Maine is the only state with landlocked Arctic char.

. Maine leads the country with 160 waters managed for landlocked salmon.

. The Rapid River in Oxford County has some of the largest wild river brook trout found south of Labrador, Canada.

According to statistics compiled by the Maine Office of Tourism, fishing is one of the most popular terms searched by visitors to www.visitmaine.com.

The site will include licensing information, fishing regulations, tips for catching and releasing fish, opportunity by region, a list of waters open to year-round fishing, youth fishing programs and a list of Maine lake survey maps.

Visitors will also learn how to avoid introducing invasive aquatic plants, the proper use of live bait and be introduced to the regulations regarding illegal fish stocking and the efforts of Operation Game Thief to stop poaching.

New England ski pass offered

Three of New England’s premier ski destinations, Loon Mountain, Sunday River and Sugarloaf/USA, will be available on one season pass for the 2008-2009 winter season, according to a press release issued by the three resorts.

The New England Pass went on sale March 7 and offers a $50 bonus savings to current Threedom and Maine Pass holders and free spring skiing to new season pass purchasers starting March 23.

New England Pass prices start at $349 during the spring sale and offer access to New Hampshire’s Loon Mountain and Maine’s Sunday River and Sugarloaf: a total of 305 trails, 1,644 acres, 13 terrain parks, and five super/halfpipes, all served by 45 lifts.

Current pass holders at Loon Mountain, Sunday River and Sugarloaf who upgrade or maintain an unrestricted pass (Gold or Anytime) or certain restricted passes (Silver or Limited Edition) will save an additional $50 when they purchase their 2008-09 New England Pass during the spring sale, which will be under way through April 30.

Three levels of New England Passes will be available through April 30 during the spring sale period. The Bronze Pass, listed at $349, is an all-ages pass offering midweek, nonholiday access to all three resorts. The Silver Pass, listed at $599, offers access every day of the season excluding 12 blackout dates. The Gold Pass, listed at $899, offers unrestricted access.

There are teen and junior versions of the Gold and Silver Pass, plus a Gold Pass for seniors available during the spring sale. A complete list of New England Pass product information will be available at www.newenglandpass.com.