Illegal Introduction Of Bass Threaten Native Trout and Salmon Fisheries, $6,000 Reward Offered

TALMADGE AND T6 R1 NB PP, Maine -- An illegal fish introduction threatens a pristine wild Downeast brook trout and landlocked salmon fishery, and the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association and Operation Game Thief are offering a $6,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally introducing largemouth bass into West Musquash Lake.

Anyone with any information regarding this wildlife crime is encouraged to contact the Maine Warden Service or Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US.

Last week, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife fisheries biologists confirmed the presence of largemouth bass in West Musquash. The team of biologists from across the state caught and visually confirmed multiple largemouth bass of varying ages in the lake. Biologists also confirmed there were no largemouth bass in Orie Lake which feeds into West Musquash, and natural barriers prevent upstream passage of bass into West Musquash, indicating the bass were moved illegally into West Musquash.

“West Musquash is a deep, clear, cold-water lake that is truly special to the region and area,” said MDIFW Regional Fisheries Biologist Jacob Scoville. “The lake supports a wild brook trout, wild lake trout and wild landlocked salmon fishery, and also is one of the last waters in the state with a population of round whitefish. This is the only water in the region that has all these fisheries without an active stocking program. Sadly, this introduction will no doubt change the lake forever.”

West Musquash Lake encompasses over1,600-acres, has virtually no development and has only four small camps located near the main boat access point on the eastern end of the lake. To access the lake from either end, it is a 4 to 5-mile drive on dirt roads.

The Grand Lake Stream Guides Association in an emergency meeting approved putting $1,000 towards the reward, and Maine’s Operation Game Thief pledged $5,000 towards the reward, making this reward one of the largest recently offered.

If anyone has any information regarding the illegal introduction of largemouth bass into this lake, they are encouraged to contact Operation Game Thief at 1-800-ALERT-US. You can also submit a tip online by visiting the Maine OGT website at www.maineogt.org.