The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is hosting five public meetings concerning proposed fishing regulation changes for the 2016 open water and ice fishing seasons.

Each year, IFW updates the fishing law book. Regulation changes are needed in order to enhance fishing opportunities throughout the state, as well as to protect fish from overfishing. This year, there are over 150 proposed regulation changes for Maine’s 6,000 lakes and ponds and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams.

A list of the proposed regulation changes is available online at www.mefishwildlife.com. The southern Maine public hearing is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at Brunswick High School (Multi-Purpose Room), 116 Maquoit Road, Brunswick.

Any proposed regulation can be discussed at any of the public hearing locations. If you cannot attend any of these public hearings but still wish to provide input, there is a public comment period that runs from now until Aug. 3. You can provide written comment by emailing becky.orff@maine.gov or mailing Becky Orff at Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, #41 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.