A Maine family of anglers is challenging state regulations, aiming to broaden access to public waters beyond fly fishing constraints. The group has filed a lawsuit against the head of Maine’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department, seeking a court order that would open all public lakes, rivers, and other waters in Maine to everyone, not just fly fishermen.
Their effort is supported by the International Order of Theodore Roosevelt, an organization that advocates for broad hunting and fishing rights nationwide. The plaintiffs argue that current rules give certain waters to fly fishers alone and deny equal opportunity to other anglers, contending that this restriction deprives them of the best fishing spots and infringes on their rights.
The complaint cites Maine’s 2021 food rights law, asserting that the act should protect a fisherman’s ability to obtain food, and they frame the policy as essential to preserving Maine’s hunting and fishing heritage while ensuring the state’s working-class residents can access the prime waters.
Jared Bornstein, spokesperson for the Theodore Roosevelt group, contends that fly fishing tends to be dominated by wealthier participants, and the current policy constitutes economic discrimination against working Mainers by limiting access to top waters.
A representative for Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife told CBS 13 that they do not comment on ongoing litigation and referred questions to the Maine Attorney General’s Office, which is handling the case. The AG’s Office similarly does not provide commentary on active lawsuits.
This case raises questions about access, equity, and the balance between tradition and regulation in Maine’s outdoor culture, inviting readers to weigh whether public waters should be universally accessible and how best to preserve the state’s fishing heritage for all residents.
