Biologists hope derby will curb lake’s salmon overpopulation

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CHESUNCOOK, Maine (AP) A lake in the North Maine Woods area is overpopulated with salmon, and anglers will try to help control the population with a fishing derby this weekend. Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio

CHESUNCOOK, Maine (AP) A lake in the North Maine Woods area is overpopulated with salmon, and anglers will try to help control the population with a fishing derby this weekend.

An overabundance of salmon is an odd problem, as Atlantic salmon are considered endangered by the federal government. But the salmon taking over Chesuncook Lake in Maine are landlocked, meaning they don’t have the ability to make it to the sea.

The Bangor Daily News reports the high density of salmon in the lake is hurting the fishes’ ability to grow. The lake once produced some of the largest salmon in the area, but that isn’t happening anymore.

State biologists are working with the Natural Resource Education Center on the salmon derby, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday.

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