maine crabbing regs

[thetank]

Hey all,

I'm headed out to Maine this weekend and I'm wondering if I need to have a permit to go crabbing. I have a fold-up trap and will not leave it unattended.

Thanks

[chef]

There are no significant numbers of blue crabs in Maine waters. Even if there were, You would first have to be a resident, go on a waiting list, and then cut through a mountain of red tape to fish for them after apprenticing for a number of years.

The license to crab is included in the license to lobster and the force is strong with the lobster fishery in that state.

[thetank]

Thanks for the response. Looks like its going to be fishing for me then.

[Ron]

There are no significant numbers of blue crabs in Maine waters. Even if there were, You would first have to be a resident, go on a waiting list, and then cut through a mountain of red tape to fish for them after apprenticing for a number of years.

The license to crab is included in the license to lobster and the force is strong with the lobster fishery in that state.

You can't even recreationally crab for them at all?

[chef]

Sorry I was reading the comm regs. They did start allowing resident rec. lobstering in the late 90s. Ive lived outside of New England for a long time I guess.

Here is the rec. regs
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/lobster/guide/index.htm#noncomlicense

There is a bit of red tape and its only open to residents only. I always have to steer clear of the line in the piscataqua river when I put my traps out in portsmouth nh.

Going to go out Tuesday and see if I have any luck. If so Ill post a pic or 2.

[Ron]

Thanks for the clarification.

[KCM Landscaping LLC]

Great topic. I'm heading there in August for my honeymoon. I was wondering the same thing. For some reason this link won't open up, and when it does it says "sorry this page can not open" It's not even worth taking 5 or so topless traps with me?