5 in 5 Project

The Sebago TU Pond Reclamation Fund

An initiative by Sebago Chapter of TU to fund reclamation of five ponds in Maine in the next five years

In the past 10 years, Regional Biologist Francis Brautigam's staff in Gray has reclaimed five water bodies and significant increases in brook trout growth and angler catch have been observed. Following treatment the ponds are restocked, and where spawning and nursery habitat is limited or nonexistent, ongoing stocking programs sustain these thriving fisheries. A shrinking MDIFW budget necessitates creative funding solutions to support continued reclamation projects. Sebago TU is stepping in to fill the gap.

Please join our effort with your support by filling out and returning the attached form.

The application of organic fish toxicants, like rotenone, to eradicate invasive and undesirable fish has been a widely accepted management practice throughout the United States since the 1930’s. Approximately 200 reclamations have been completed in Maine, 46 of which took place in the Sebago Lake region. Recent successful reclamations in southern Maine were undertaken at:

• Overset Pond in Greenwood
• Big Speck Pond in Norway
• Broken Bridge Pond, Crocker Pond and Mosquito Pond in Albany

Rotenone is a natural substance produced in the stem and roots of certain tropical plants in the bean family. Rotenone inhibits the use of oxygen by fish and has been used by native people to harvest food fish, and also as a common garden pesticide. Rotenone is organic, non-persistent in the environment, and possess limited or short term impacts to non-target species.

"We seek to restore and establish native fish communities (brook trout) and to re-establish plankton communities more representative of natural lake ecosystems." –Francis Brautigam

Waters that would benefit from reclamations include:
• Abbott Pond, Washburn Pond and Cushman Pond in Sumner
• Warren Pond in Berwick
• Moody Pond in Waterboro
• Trout Pond in Stoneham
• Cushman Pond in Lovell
• Otter Pond in Standish

"It is the most worthwhile management practice State fisheries biologists can perform to improve brook trout fisheries, particularly in southern Maine where so many competing fish have been introduced to area waters.” –Francis Brautigam

‘Maine possesses the most intact subwatersheds (147) for stream brook trout populations. Intact brook trout populations in lakes are confined exclusively to Maine (185). In Maine, brook trout lakes in 323 subwatersheds have severely reduced status and 235 subwatersheds have unknown population status. Non-native fish species constituted by far the largest threats to lake populations.’ –Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture

Please join our effort with your support by filling out and returning the attached form.

All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.