Maine Revised Statutes Title 12. Conservation § 12504-A. Fishing derby permits for educational institutions

A. Rules adopted by the commissioner pursuant to section 12504 are applicable to permits issued under this section, except rules limiting the cash value of prizes or concerning an ice fishing derby.

B. A fishing derby may be conducted only in bodies of water free of ice.

C. A person may not participate as an angler in a fishing derby unless that person is affiliated with the sponsoring educational institution, either as a student, a parent or sibling of a student, an alumnus or a staff member of the educational institution. A student may invite a single guest to participate in a derby held under this section. For purposes of this paragraph, “student” includes a current or incoming student.

D. At least 80% of the prizes awarded at a fishing derby must be in the form of scholarships.

E. An angler participating in a fishing derby may not use a motorboat.

F. A fishing derby may not target cold-water species.

G. A fishing derby must be an event that is only catch and release or catch, measure and release.

H. An angler participating in a fishing derby may not have more than one rod per person or more than 2 rods per boat.

I. An angler participating in a fishing derby may use artificial lures only.

A. A person who violates subsection 3 or a rule adopted pursuant to subsection 4 commits a civil violation for which a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500 may be adjudged.

B. A person who violates subsection 3 or a rule adopted under subsection 4 after having been adjudicated as having committed 3 or more civil violations under this Part within the previous 5-year period commits a Class E crime.