The following is a summary of the NLC Native Fish Working Group Survey response from the Maine TU  Council. 

• What is the definition of “Native Trout” as defined by your State Fisheries organization?
“Native salmonids are naturally occurring, self-sustaining populations. [They are] generally considered to have not been genetically influenced (introgression) by stocking
of the same species in the same water, or by the same species in the same drainage
where migration into the native population’s water is possible.” As defined by Francis
Brautigam, Director Fisheries Division, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife.
• What is the definition of “Wild Trout” as defined by your State Fisheries organization?
“Wild salmonids are self-sustaining populations of salmonids that

a) were created by
stocking and are now able to fully or partially sustain a viable fishery through natural
reproduction,

b) are native (indigenous) populations in waters that have been stocked
with the same species to enhance the fishery, or

c) are native (indigenous) populations
that may have been influenced by stocking of the same species in the same drainage
where migration into the native population’s water is possible.” As defined by Francis
Brautigam, Director Fisheries Division, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife.
• Does your State Fisheries organization have a formal position on “Native Trout” and if so, can
you provide a link to the document or provide the document?
Not yet but the new 15 year fisheries management plan when released may provide a more
formal position (expected to be approved in 2021).
• Does your State Fisheries organization have a formal position on “Wild Trout” and if so, can you
provide a link to the document or provide the document?
Not yet but the new 15 year fisheries management plan when released may provide a more
formal position (expected to be approved in 2011).
• Does your State Fisheries organization have dedicated staff to support Native and Wild Trout
programs? If so, can provide the contact information?
Merry Gallagher is the Department’s Native Fish Conservation Biologist. However, each of the 7
regions manage their fisheries resources relatively independent of the other regions.
• Does your State Fisheries organization currently have ongoing projects to support Native and
Wild Trout? If so, please list them.
State Heritage Fish Waters
New 15 year management plans may provide more detail and plans to manage native and wild
fish.
• Does your Council and Chapters have a formal position on “Native Trout” and if so, can you
provide a link to the document or provide the document?
No but the new Native Salmonids Committee is drafting a proposed position for adoption by the
Council and Chapters
• Does your Council and Chapters have a formal position on “Wild Trout” and if so, can you
provide a link to the document or provide the document?
No but the new Native Salmonids Committee is drafting a proposed position for adoption by the
Council and Chapters
• Does your Council have dedicated staff to support Native and Wild Trout programs? If so can
you provide the persons contact information
No the Council does not have dedicated staff but Jeff Reardon (National staff), Brook Trout
Program Manager, 207-430-8441, jreardon@tu.org.
• Does your Council or Chapters currently have ongoing projects to support Native and Wild
Trout? If so, please list them
Cold Stream watershed temperature monitoring
Working with USF&W and Maine DMR to improve seasonal fish (Alewife’s) passage at Quantabacook
dam.
Replacing a culvert on Jam Black brook due to a 50 year event to ensure connectivity up and down
stream for brook trout.
Four Maine Chapters are conducting sea run brook trout (salter) surveys along the entire coast of Maine
Water quality monitoring in cold-water streams in Hancock county
Accomplishing improvements for fishways passage on the Union River at the Green Lake dam
Working with US Fish & Wildlife and numerous other non-profit organizations and agencies to
accomplish habitat restoration projects on the Narraguagus River
Partnering with Downeast Salmon Federation on PICT tagging sea run brook trout (salters).
Replacing numerous culverts on Cole Brook in the Shepards River watershed in Porter and Brownfield.
Currently seeking funding for a crossing of Cole Brook at Phen Hill Road in Brownfield, with completion
of this crossing, Cole Brook will be barrier-free.
Embarking on a similar initiative in the West Branch of the Tenmile River to systematically remove all
barriers in the watershed, starting with several on Sarah Bridge Road. Currently coordinating with the
town of Porter to develop funding on these.
Stream temperature monitoring in the Shephard River and Crooked River watersheds
Working through the town of Naples selectmen to seek permission to remove a partial barrier to
passage at Edes Falls dam on the Crooked River. This would benefit native landlocked salmon coming
out of Sebago Lake to spawn in the Crooked River watershed (also of benefit to brook trout in the
watershed)
Working with MDIFW to conduct a landlocked salmon redd count on the Crooked River watershed.
Working with MDIFW to remove beaver dams that block the landlocked salmon migration in the
Crooked River watershed.
Coordinating with the Land Use Planning Commission and MDIFW to replace a road crossing just below
the outlet of Songo Pond in Albany that is a barrier to fish passage.
Supporting the Royal River Alliance to remove two town-owned dams in Yarmouth on the mainstem of
the Royal River. This would benefit wild trout populations in Collyer Brook and other tributaries higher
up in the watershed.
Working with MDIFW to remove invasive fish species and restore brook trout to Clay Pond in Fryeburg in
order to restore the pond to natural reproduction of wild brook
Intervening in the FERC process at Hiram Dam on the Saco river, in order to require fish passage, which
would benefit native brook trout populations in the Shepards and Tenmile River watersheds.
Mollyockett Chapter in collaboration with ARWC, the Ammonoosuc TU Chapter in New Hampshire,
USDA, NRCS, Wagner, NHF&G, the Conservation Fund, and the Success Pond Camp Owners Assn is
installing new bridges over Stearns and Shelter brooks on Success Pond Road west of Old Speck Mtn
restoring connectivity to several miles of brook trout habitat.
Working with information provided by the Coastal Stream Survey Project, a collaborative effort by Trout
Unlimited, Maine Audubon, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and the Sea Run Brook Trout
Coalition of Newburyport MA, the Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of TU has identified 3 locations where
healthy sea run brook trout (salters) are present in our region. Of these locations the group ultimately
has settled on a stream connectivity project on a promising 3.2-mile brook, Frost Gully Brook, located in
Freeport, Maine, a town comprised of mixed residential, retail, but predominantly forested habitat. The
stream holds salters in its lower, tidal reaches; however, 3 dams restrict migration to and possible
spawning in its upper, fresh water reaches. Working closely with Jeff Reardon, TU Brook Trout Project
Director, chapter members and volunteers have surveyed the stream, located and assessed the
manmade barriers, gathered seasonal water temperature data, conducted community outreach and are
raising funds for removal of the first dam which blocks sea run brook trout, up-river migration.