How to Catch Maine Lobster

Secure legal permission to recreationally harvest lobsters in Maine waters by completing the licensing requirements. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Verify Your Eligibility:** • Must be 12 years of age or older • Maine residents and non-residents both qualify • No apprenticeship required for recreational license • License allows maximum 5 traps per person **2. Study the Official Guide:** • Download free Guide to Lobstering PDF from Maine DMR • Learn size limits: 3-1/4 to 5 inches carapace length • Understand V-notching requirements for egg-bearing females • Review legal haul times and weekend restrictions **3. Take the Written Exam:** • Schedule exam at Maine DMR office or approved location • Test covers biology, regulations, trap construction, safety • Pass with 70% or higher score • Bring valid photo ID to testing appointment **4. Complete License Application:** • Fill out non-commercial lobster/crab license form • Describe your unique buoy color combination • Pay licensing fee (approximately $60 for residents) • Receive license and trap tags within 2 weeks

Purchase or construct wire mesh lobster traps that meet Maine regulations and come equipped with required safety features. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Choose the Right Trap:** • PVC-coated wire mesh construction (1.5-inch mesh standard) • Two-chamber design with kitchen and parlor sections • Escape vents measuring 1-15/16 by 5-3/4 inches • Weight approximately 20 pounds for recreational use **2. Verify Required Components:** • Two funnel entries for lobster access • Biodegradable escape panel (prevents ghost fishing) • Brick or weight to keep trap on bottom • Wire door with secure closure mechanism **3. Get Complete Starter Kit:** • 50 feet of 3/8-inch sink rope per trap • Bullet-shaped buoy for surface marking • Yellow mesh bait bag for holding bait • 600-pound breakaway weak link (required in some areas) **4. Prepare Additional Traps:** • Recreational license allows up to 5 traps • Start with 2-3 traps as a beginner • Each trap needs its own buoy and rope • Store traps in dry location when not in use

Create a distinctive buoy color pattern that identifies your traps and complies with Maine regulations. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Select Your Color Scheme:** • Choose 2-3 high-contrast colors for visibility • Avoid combinations already used by nearby lobstermen • Bright colors (yellow, orange, red) are easiest to spot • Consider fog conditions and rough water visibility **2. Register Colors with Maine DMR:** • Describe color pattern on license application • Pattern becomes your official trap identifier • Cannot change colors without updating license • Must be clearly distinguishable from other fishermen **3. Paint Your Buoys:** • Use marine-grade paint with UV inhibitors • Apply 2-3 coats for durability • Let each coat dry completely between applications • Add your license number and "L" designation **4. Mark Buoy Requirements:** • Minimum size: 3.5 inches diameter and 3.5 inches length • Display license number clearly and permanently • Include letter "L" indicating lobster fishing • Attach securely to trap line with proper knots

Obtain approved fish bait that attracts lobsters effectively while staying fresh throughout your fishing day. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Choose Primary Bait Type:** • Atlantic herring (first choice when available) • Pogies/menhaden (excellent alternative to herring) • Purchase from coastal bait dealers or fishing supply stores • Budget 3-5 pounds per trap per day **2. Store Bait Properly:** • Keep fresh bait on ice in insulated cooler • Salted bait can be stored at room temperature • Frozen bait should thaw partially before use • Strong odor means bait is working correctly **3. Prepare Bait Bags:** • Cut fish into 6-8 inch chunks • Fill mesh bag 2/3 full (bait swells in water) • Tie bag securely with zip ties or cord • Replace bait every 2-3 days maximum **4. Consider Alternative Baits:** • Pig hide bait lasts 2-3 hauls without replacement • Mix alternative with fish bait for best results • Always use Maine DMR approved bait species • Never use invasive species or unapproved materials

Deploy your baited traps in locations where lobsters congregate while following seasonal regulations. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Identify Prime Lobster Bottom:** • Rocky ledges and boulder fields (lobsters hide here) • Depth range: 15-60 feet for inshore lobstering • Water temperature above 45°F (lobsters more active) • Avoid sandy bottom (lobsters rarely present) **2. Check Legal Haul Times:** • June through August: only haul 30 minutes before dawn to 30 minutes after dusk • Saturday: cannot haul until after 4 PM • Sunday: no hauling allowed at any time • Year-round fishing allowed outside June-August **3. Deploy Each Trap:** • Mark GPS coordinates before dropping trap • Lower trap slowly to avoid tangling • Ensure buoy rope is taut and knot is secure • Space traps at least 100 feet apart **4. Avoid Problem Areas:** • Stay clear of swimming beaches and marinas • Avoid shipping channels and ferry routes • Respect commercial lobstermen's established areas • Set traps at least 300 feet from shore

Retrieve traps after appropriate soak time and examine contents for legal lobsters and trap condition. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Time Your Haul Correctly:** • Allow 1-3 day soak time between hauls • Longer soaks in cold water (more lobster activity) • Check weather forecast for safe boating conditions • Follow legal haul time restrictions by season **2. Pull Traps Safely:** • Approach buoy slowly from downwind side • Gaff buoy with hook and pull rope aboard • Use pot hauler or pull by hand steadily • Keep weight centered as trap breaks surface **3. Inspect Trap Contents:** • Remove bait bag and check condition • Count all lobsters inside both chambers • Check for shorts (undersized), keepers, and oversized • Look for egg-bearing females (orange/black eggs) **4. Maintain Your Gear:** • Replace worn bait bags immediately • Check escape vent hog rings for rust • Repair any torn mesh or broken entries • Refresh bait if plan to reset trap

Use proper tools to determine which lobsters are legal to keep and secure their claws safely. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Measure Carapace Length:** • Place gauge on lobster from eye socket to tail edge • Legal size: 3-1/4 to 5 inches in Gulf of Maine • Too small (shorts): release immediately • Too large (oversize): release immediately **2. Check for Egg-Bearing Females:** • Look for orange or black eggs on tail • Check for existing V-notch in tail flipper • V-notch looks like notch cut into flipper edge • Any berried or V-notched female must be released **3. V-Notch Egg-Bearing Females:** • Use v-notch tool to cut distinctive V-shape • Cut right side flipper of middle tail section • Notch should be visible and deep enough to last • Release female immediately after notching **4. Band Legal Keepers:** • Use banding tool to stretch rubber band • Slide band over crusher claw (larger claw) • Apply second band to pincher claw (smaller claw) • Place banded lobsters in cooler with ice

Keep lobsters alive and fresh from boat to kitchen using proper cooling and handling methods. **How to Execute This Step:** **1. Prepare Marine Cooler:** • Fill with ice before leaving dock • Add seaweed or damp newspaper as bedding • Do NOT add freshwater (kills lobsters) • Do NOT submerge lobsters in ice water **2. Layer Lobsters Properly:** • Place banded lobsters on ice layer • Add layer of seaweed between lobster layers • Keep cooler out of direct sunlight • Drain meltwater periodically but keep ice **3. Transport to Shore:** • Keep cooler closed as much as possible • Lobsters stay alive 24-36 hours with proper icing • Never stack heavy objects on top of cooler • Move lobsters to refrigerator within 4 hours if possible **4. Store Until Cooking:** • Keep in coolest part of refrigerator • Place in bowl with seaweed or damp towel • Do not store in freshwater or airtight container • Cook within 24-36 hours of catch for best quality