Each year the state’s fisheries biologists toil in relative obscurity, making decisions that will affect fishing opportunities for years to come.

On one day each year, one biologist is recognized for his efforts by the Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Last week, Frank O. Frost of Caribou earned that honor when he was named the state’s 2002 Biologist of the Year.

Frost was honored for his efforts to restore Nadeau Pond in Fort Fairfield as a wild, self-sustaining brook trout fishery. In order to do that, he had to enhance habitat in the pond for all stages of a trout’s life.

For 30 years, Nadeau Pond had been drained to mine lime for agriculture. Over the last two years – since that lease expired – Frost worked to restore the pond to its historic water level.

Using volunteered equipment and labor, he removed 8,700 cubic meters of pond bottom, placed screened stone in some areas, and placed 15 hardwood root balls around the pond for cover. Seven spring upwellings were excavated for cover and two spring upwellings were covered with screened stone for spawning.

Frost also worked with the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to secure a 33-acre parcel of land for public boat access and to assure the rights to manage the pond.

To remove unwanted species that are present there, Nadeau Pond will be reclaimed. Once restored, it will be restocked with trout that are captured from the same watershed.

Selection for the Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of TU’s award is based upon accomplished or ongoing science-based projects that benefit and enhance Maine’s wild fisheries resources.

PSC, PFF join up for event

The river is closed to fishing for Atlantic salmon, but that won’t stop the Penobscot Salmon Club from celebrating on April 26 at its traditional opening day breakfast. This year, the Penobscot Fly Fishers will join in on the fun, and hold their annual fly fishing day in conjunction with the PSC breakfast.

The event is open to the public and will feature a display of fishing memorabilia including traditional Penobscot peapods, along with many canoes and other boats. Classic flies, rods, and reels will be shown, and fishing experts will be available to answer questions.

Breakfast begins at 6 a.m., and door prizes and raffle items will be drawn around 10 a.m.

This year the Penobscot Salmon Club has invited the Penobscot Fly Fishers to join them at the event.

The Penobscot Fly Fishers will hold their annual fly fishing day after the breakfast. PFF will hold classes on equipment, knots, and fly casting. Rods and reels will be available for casting.

The events will be held rain or shine.

MOSES up and running

Last-minute anglers and hunters will be pleased to find out that the DIF&W’s highly touted (and oft-delayed) Maine Online Sportsman’s Electronic System – MOSES – is up and running.

The system now allows shoppers to purchase and print all types of licenses and registrations on their home computer. It is touted as a boon to sports who don’t want to be bothered with heading to the town office or another agent to get those products.

In 2003, more than 15 percent of the state’s moose lottery applications and 28 percent of its turkey lottery chances were bought online.

Maine Wildlife Park open

Just in time for school vacation week, the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray has announced that as of today, it’s open.

“April vacation week always brings many visitors to the park, so we have been working to prepare for a busy week,” said Lisa Kane, the natural science educator for the DIF&W.

The 200-acre park has more than 25 different species of wildlife on exhibit, including moose, black bears, fishers, lynx, mountain lions, deer, turkeys, bald eagles, hawks, owls, and trout.

The Maine Wildlife Park is open from April 19 through Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day. Visitors are allowed to remain in the park until 6 p.m.

Call 287-8000 for more information or 657-4977 to listen to the recorded message with current program information.

The admission fee is $4.50 for adults, $3 for those ages 5-12, and free for children under 5. Senior citizens 65 and over pay $3.50. There are special prices for groups of 15 or more guests.

In addition, volunteer positions are open at the park, including gate attendants and tour guides. Call Maureen Gilbert at 657-4977 to sign up.

The Maine Wildlife Park is located off Exit 11 of the Maine Turnpike on Route 26.

Oiled wildlife needs help

DIF&W is seeking volunteers for its Emergency Response Team for oiled wildlife.

With more than 5 billion gallons of petroleum transferred in the last year, Portland is the second largest oil port on the East Coast, the DIF&W reports. Bucksport, Searsport, and Eastport are also major ports in Maine. Supertankers also cruise within sight of Maine on their way to Saint John, New Brunswick.

In order to respond to any possible environmental emergency involving oil, DIF&W is looking to enroll and train volunteers.

The training session will be conducted by the International Bird Rescue Research Center, a world leader in rehabilitating oiled wildlife. Since its inception in 1971, the organization has responded to more than 50 major oil spills around the world.

Since 1993, more than 300 volunteers have been trained from York to Eastport. Volunteer support during an oil spill is essential in rehabilitating oiled wildlife.

This year’s volunteer training session is scheduled for April 26 at the University of New England’s Marine Science Education and Research Center in Biddeford. It begins at 9 a.m.

If you would like to attend this year’s training session, call John Kenney at 941-4448.

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.