Rules For the conduct of the Mooselookmeguntic Landlocked Salmon Derby June 11 and 12, 2022

The Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen’s Association in partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will hold The Mooselookmeguntic Landlocked Salmon Derby on June 11 and 12, 2022. In the event of inclement weather, the RRG&SA reserve the right to move the date of the Derby to June 26 and 27, 2021. Below are the rules that will govern the conduct of this Derby. There is currently an overabundance of landlocked salmon in Mooselookmeguntic Lake, resulting in poor salmon growth and condition. To improve the health of the fishery on Mooselookmeguntic Lake including Cupsuptic Lake, the MDIF&W has implemented new regulations for the taking of landlocked salmon as part of their fisheries management plan by increasing angler’s ability to harvest more smaller salmon. The new regulations beginning January 1, 2021 are no size or bag limit on salmon under 16 inches in length and a one fish bag limit on salmon greater than 16 inches. The Derby complements this management plan to improve the quality of the wild salmon fishery on Maine’s fourth largest lake. The primary purpose of the Derby is to encourage anglers to harvest the smaller salmon from Mooselookmeguntic Lake with funds raised going to the RRG&SA youth programs.

“An overabundance of wild Landlocked Salmon at Mooselookmeguntic Lake has resulted in poor salmon growth and condition. Liberalizing the salmon regulation on Mooselookmeguntic Lake would promote salmon growth through allowing greater harvest opportunity and increased angler use.”

Entries in the Derby will be listed by boat, not to individuals. The Derby will be conducted on Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Cupsuptic Lake ONLY.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Derby website at rangeleyoutdoors.org/salmonderby. Entry forms must be postmarked by June 1. There is a practical limit on the number of boats which can be accommodated in this Derby. The RRG&SA reserve the right to limit the number of entries by closing the Derby to any new entries at any time.

We also ask that all participants pay attention to the rules as the logistics for the event can change.

All current fishing laws of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be enforced. Nothing in the Derby materials and rules implies or suggests any changes to these current Fishing Laws during the Derby.

Anglers are advised that parking at the boat launches on Mooselookmeguntic Lake is limited. There are three public boat launches: Cupsuptic boat launch, Bemis boat launch and Haines Landing. Haines Landing has very limited parking (the public parking lot is about ¼ mile from the launch) with NO on street parking. Cupsuptic and Bemis launches have small parking lots but some on street parking.

Expect possible waiting times to launch and haul your boat! Please take this into consideration and leave enough time to arrive at the counting station before the closing time. The number of entries permitted may have to be limited due to these launching and parking limitations. Closing the Derby to new entries could happen at any time up to the start of the Derby.

The RRG&SA reserves the right to LIMIT THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES into the derby and to adjust the rules, as necessary.

1. Only landlocked salmon under 16 inches caught in Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Cupsuptic Lake will be eligible for entry in the Derby. Each boat submitting salmon will be asked to sign an affidavit attesting that all salmon entered were caught in these two Lakes and that they were caught within the official Derby hours and all rules were followed.
2. This derby is for Landlocked Salmon under 16 inches in length ONLY. No other fish species will be counted. Entrants are asked to target only landlocked salmon as much as possible and to promptly release any brook trout caught using current best practice release techniques.
3. The official time period for the Derby will be from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday June 11 and from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday June 12. Any salmon caught outside of these times will not be eligible for the Derby. All salmon must be at the counting station or in line at the counting station by closing times of the Derby, 5 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, or your salmon will not be counted. At 5:01PM on Saturday and 2:01PM on Sunday a representative from the Rangeley Region Guides’ & Sportsmen’s Association will enter the line. No one who enters the line after the representative will be counted.
4. Maine State law allows for two fishing lines per angler, this law and all Maine Fishing laws will be strictly enforced. Derby rules allow a maximum of six lines per boat, to fish with six lines there must be a minimum of 3 anglers on your boat.
5. The counting station will be located in Oquossoc on Franklin Street between the public tennis courts and the Oquossoc Fire Station. The counting station will open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sunday. On Saturday, all salmon must be present at the counting station or in line at the counting station by 5 p.m. and on Sunday all salmon must be present at the counting station by 2 p.m. or your catch WILL NOT BE COUNTED. At the counting station, the boats (boat need not be present) total catch will be reviewed by derby officials. Entries of the total number of landlocked salmon will be by boat. You will be asked to attest to the total salmon count. Any decisions by the Derby officials will be final. Any salmon that are not wanted can be donated to the RRG&SA at the counting station. These salmon will be utilized in the best way possible.
6. PRIZES: The boat that harvests the most salmon over the two-day Derby will receive a $1500 cash prize. The boat that harvests the most salmon on Saturday will be awarded a $1000 cash prize. The boat that harvests the most salmon on Sunday will be awarded a $1000 cash prize. An entered boat is only eligible to win one of these prizes. In the event of a tie the earlier time counted at the counting station will prevail. The RRG&SA officials’ decision will be final. Winners or a designated representative must be present for the cash prizes. In addition to the cash prizes, there will also be a noncash “fish pool” raffle and door prizes. The “fish pool” raffle tickets for the raffle will be tallied at the counting station at the time fish are counted. One ticket will be tallied and entered under the boat’s registration number for each salmon counted at the station. In the event a boat wins more than one “fish pool” prize, it is the responsibility of the anglers in the boat to divide the prizes up among their boat’s anglers. In addition, a “kid’s fish pool” ticket for a separate kid’s raffle will be given to every angler under 16 years of age that participates in the Derby. Youth Raffle tickets will be available at the counting station. Winners drawn in the “fish pool” do not have to be present at the raffle drawing. If you are not present at the drawing you will be notified by email if your boat is a winner.
7. A packet of information will be mailed to the home address that each registrant lists on their entry form. A form will be included that allows each participant to record their fish count. Additional forms will be available at the counting station. Please keep the packet with you.
8. Any fish brought to the counting station not meeting state law disqualifies the boat from the Derby.