Surprised to See a Maine Fish With a Yellow Tag? Here’s What That Means

Do you love to fish? Fishing is a peaceful sport option, but also a family activity that can last a lifetime.  Fishing can be as addictive as golfing for some people, so many want to know more about common species of fish.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is doing some research on two of the most common fish in the waters of Maine. The fishery biologists are studying the habits of brook trout and landlocked salmon, and the general health of the Mooselookmeguntic Fishery.

Fish are caught by the team, and some local anglers, brought to a dock to be inspected, yellow-tagged, and sometimes a radio transmitter is implanted in the larger fish.

The work is fascinating.  The larger fish are put under anesthesia while transmitters are inserted inside their sleek body.  There is a tube inserted into their mouth to keep the water flowing through the gills to maintain oxygen. The fish are released within minutes.

If you catch a fish in the Maine waters with a yellow tag, here's what to do.  Check out the Floy tag which has a unique number printed on it.  Anglers should report the number to mefishwildlife.com/tag.

Part of this study is dependent on you.  If you catch one of these fish, please consider releasing it back to the water so research can continue.  If you decide to keep the fish, please return the tag to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

The Department appreciates your help.