Invasive Fish/Northern Pike
Catch one?
Do NOT re-release it back into the pond!
Do not catch and release and do not transfer!
Northern Pike, illegally introduced into the Belgrade Chain of Lakes in the 1970's, are now present in at least 16 lakes in the Kennebec, Androscoggin, and coastal river drainages. They are suspected to occur in several additional waters. These newest populations have been derived from illegal transport or by out-migration from lakes were they have become established. Pike are voracious predators on other fishes, and their presence in one lake is suspected of destroying one of the state's premier landlocked salmon populations. Know the difference between Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel.
Roc Falaguerra caught this 40" long, 25 lb pike in June, 2023.
Dave Roberts caught this 24" pike in July, 2017.
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife urges you not to transfer pike to other waterways. Take it with you, eat it, frame it, whatever you'd like... please help protect the native fish species. Do not catch and release and do not transfer.
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