Save the Rapid

Summary of Current Status of Save the Rapid Projects - 1/20/04:
A Message from RRG&SA President, Don Palmer

Over 20 years ago, small mouth bass were illegally introduced into Umbagog Lake along the border of New Hampshire and Maine. The bass thrived in the ideal habitat and soon a major bass fishery was established for New Hampshire anglers. Unfortunately the bass have, in recent years, gained access to the Rapid River that flows into Umbagog Lake and Pond in the River that divides the river. The bass are now establishing themselves in this prime wild brook trout water. Their presence and impact on the trout and salmon has been monitored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife and FPLE. Telemetry studies, habitat surveys, food habitat studies, genetic studies and regulation changes have been initiated to obtain reliable information upon which to make decisions and evaluate outcomes.

Given the rate of growth of the bass population and the favorable habitat found in the Rapid River and Pond in the River they now threaten the future of the Rapid River wild brook trout. Small mouth bass are much more aggressive than trout as both predators and competitors. It is feared that the bass will soon reduce the recruitment of small trout and eventually out compete the larger trout for forage. This will likely mean the loss of one of the best wild trout fisheries in the country to an invasive specie.

Reflecting the concern of sportsmen, two conferences were held in Rangeley, attended by representatives of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W), Florida Power & Light Energy (FPLE), Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), Trout Unlimited (TU), Rangeley Region Guides’ & Sportsmen’s Association (RRG&SA), and the Rangeley Lakes Heritage trust (RLHT), and interested sportsmen and camp owners. The conferences provided an opportunity for all to receive updates from IF&W and FPLE on their projects, including telemetry studies of 28 trout, 12 bass and 18 salmon, various options for erecting barrier dams to prevent the spread of the bass, research into the role played by water flows, levels and temperatures as "stressors" on small mouth bass recruitment and growth, and genetic studies for possible establishment of a brood line.

It was agreed the goal of this group should be "to maintain the world class wild brook trout fishery in Rapid River". To accomplish this goal it was felt essential to not only protect the trout population, but to significantly reduce the population of bass in both Rapid River and Pond in the River, and prevent more bass from entering the river system from Umbagog Lake.

It was agreed to encourage the harvest of bass during the June spawning season, through co-ordinated fishing events including the efforts of members of Fly Fishing in Maine and perhaps, some of the bass fishing organizations. Subsequent meetings have been held to bring about a major effort on the weekends of June 12 & 13 and 19 & 20. IF&W will assist in this effort by providing permits, helping obtain access, and coordination. The use of electro fishing will be evaluated this year in Rapid River, and Pond in the River in 2005.

A number of Rapid River regulation changes will also be evaluated including, required harvesting of any caught bass, and more restrictive Maine regulations for Umbagog Lake where present regulations support New Hampshire’s interest in encouraging their major bass fishery.

Research continues on several fronts to obtain more information on the interaction of bass and salmonids, alternative barrier dams, possible expert consultants, impact of water flows, temperature, and levels, genetics, electro fishing to reduce bass populations, and telemetry studies. Given the expanding interest in our efforts it was agreed to coordinate communications amongst participants and the interested public. Of special concern were upcoming sportsmen’s shows, newsletters, web sites, articles, etc. In order to help prevent the spread of bass into other Rangeley waters, we are exploring an education/communication effort to raise the awareness of camp owners and visitors to the risks and penalties of illegal introductions.

It was felt essential to prepare a plan to identify all potential strategies and the tactics necessary to achieve the goal of "maintaining a world class wild brook trout fishery in Rapid River". A strategic plan will be developed over the next several months, in time to insure coordinated actions will be implemented during the spring. Of critical concern is the funding needed to support an aggressive plan. To our knowledge, no one has yet successfully control the populations of small mouth bass, but that is what we must do! We will need money to hire consultants, conduct research, erect barriers, eliminate bass, acquire equipment, and follow through on the recommended actions to be identified in the strategic plan. The extensive and ongoing nature of the efforts means the cost willing likely run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but we can’t afford not to do it. We intend to pursue many fund raising options including grants, auctions and raffles, corporate sponsorship, and sportsmen’s organization support. Perhaps the most critical part of the fund raising effort is to tap into the large number of sportsmen who have fished the Rapid or who are willing to support the effort to save a world class wild brook trout fishery.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Several organizations have established funds to "Save the Rapid". The Rangeley Region Guides’& Sportsmen’s Association, a non profit 501(c) 3 organization, is prepared to accept donations that will be used exclusively for Rapid River projects. They have offered to match up to $5,000 of donations from their members. You can become part of this effort by sending donations to your participating organization or making out a check to RRG&SA - Save the Rapid and sending it directly to RRG&SA, P.O. Box 244, Rangeley, ME 04970. We also encourage sportsmen to volunteer their time and expertise to help save the Rapid. Do you have any input or knowledge of how bass can be controlled? Please help! The Future of our brook trout and salmon fishing heritage is in your hands.

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