While many fishing conservation groups in Maine support a second fall fishing season for Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot River, there is concern about a spring season.

The Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission will hold a public hearing in Holden this month on the proposed fall season, and also will take comments on a possible spring season in 2008.

The Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission closed the river in 1999 to Atlantic salmon fishing to protect the wild populations of salmon, which are believed to be a threatened species. Last fall, the commission opened the river for the first time since 1999.

Just 241 fly fishermen came to fish the river during the special, restricted season, which took place after the salmon spawning runs had ended. Reportedly, only one salmon was caught.

Pat Keliher, executive director of the commission, said every fish that passed through the fish passage at Veazie Dam was checked for hooking wounds that might have occurred during the fall season, and none was found.

The same would be done this fall, when fly fishermen with a special permit will again be able to cast for Atlantic salmon. The restricted season will last one month in certain sections of the Penobscot River, and allow only catch-and-release.

The commission has already decided to allow a season, but will hold a public hearing because it wants to involve the public in every decision about the fishery, Keliher said.

The panel also will take comments about a possible spring season, which is more controversial because that is the time of year the migratory fish are swimming upstream to spawn.

Andy Goode, the vice president of U.S. operations with the Atlantic Salmon Federation, said the commission will face opposition to the spring season.

Last year, both Trout Unlimited and the Atlantic Salmon Federation supported a fall season because of the level of research that went into determining the risk of mortality to the salmon, and the level of enforcement.

However, both groups are hesitant to support a spring season.

"This spring issue is tough," Goode said. "I'll tell you right off, a wide-open spring fishery is a non-starter. But if there are conditions, we are willing to take a look at it before we make any decision."

Goode said the Atlantic Salmon Federation has faith in the salmon clubs that make up its membership, but its members fear other fishermen may poach the salmon during the fish's spring runs.

"I do recognize the greater public's concern. The (salmon) population has a return of roughly 1,000 fish (a year). How can you fish for that? That's a legitimate point," Goode said.

Trout Unlimited is also reluctant to support a spring season, and will voice its concerns at the hearing, said Sean McCormick, the group's Maine representative.

Trout Unlimited members, who kept an eye on the salmon season last year like a watchdog, were impressed by how thoroughly the commission policed the river, McCormick said.

Trout Unlimited members who fished for salmon last fall noticed wardens and Atlantic Salmon Commission staff lining the banks and checking the fish passing, McCormick said.

"We weren't crazy about the whole idea of a fall fishery. I think the staff of the salmon commission did what needed to be done to make a safe fishery. They've done a good job with that," McCormick said.

However, McCormick added, the group will closely watch what kind of spring fishery is proposed.

"I don't want to do anything that would harm those stocks of fish," McCormick said.

Staff Writer Deirdre Fleming can be contacted at 791-6452 or at:

dfleming@pressherald.com