BLLIEBACK TROUT. 
35 
than ten dollars for each fish so taken or killed, — providing that this section shall not apply to 
the taking of ‘blueback trout’ in Franklin or Oxford Counties.” 
The great abundance of this fish was maintained for many years, notwithstanding the 
many killed on the “spawning beds” and the lack of regulative laws regarding the methods and 
time of capture. This fact indicated to many that no protection was needed and its importance 
in the economy of the “settlers” rendered such protection undesirable. In reference to this 
exemption Mr. Page wrote in 1874 that he considered it proper and wise. But in the Maine 
Fish Commissioners’ Report for the same year it is said: “There is a special statute allowing 
these fishes to be taken in Franklin and Oxford Counties during close time for other fishes. We 
think it a great mistake to allow these beautiful fishes to be taken at all, as we attribute mainly 
to them the great size of the Rangeley trout, and we opine that as they diminish in numbers so 
will those far-famed Mooselucmaguntic trout The blueback is to the Rangeley what the 
myriads of smelt are to Sebago Lake and Reed’s Pond.” 
This appears to be the first suggestion of the Blueback’s place in the natural economy of 
the lake, and the first intimation of the need of protective taws. 
Writing in Forest and Stream of January 12, 1888, Captain F. C. Barker said: “They are 
very valuable to any body of water where brook trout are, in the way of food for them. It is a 
very common occurrence to catch a trout in deep water in the lakes with a blueback in it, partly 
digested. This was very common when we used to fish in winter in deep water through the ice.” 
In the nineties a comparatively rapid decrease was noticed in the number of Bluebacks 
appearing in their accustomed spawning places, and this became so marked that protective 
legislation was urged, but it was not until 1899 that a law was passed providing that “it be 
unlawful to fish for, take, catch, or kill any blueback in any waters of the state at any time,” 
(Chap. 42, Sec. 5, Public Laws, 1899). But the stable door was not locked until after the 
hor^e had been stolen. 
In the fall of 1900 the present writer visited Oquos.soc Lake with a letter from Commissioner 
Stanley to Mr. George Esty, the well known, well informed, efficient and reliable fish and game 
warden of that region. Air. Esty’s aid in every way possible was requested in the letter. A 
man in whom Mr. Esty had confidence agreed to watch a certain stream where the fish used to 
fairly swarm, and, as Mr. Esty said, were dipped and hauled away by the barrel and cartload. 
This man watched the stream throughout the spawning season without seeing a fish. This was 
the famous outlet of Dodge and Quimby Ponds. At Kennebago Stream the Oquassoc Angling 
Association caught one pair of Bluebacks. The male had been liberated but the writer secured 
the female, which weighed about one pound. In 1902 a few large Bluebacks were taken by 
spawntakers, and in 1903, five more, all that were taken, were secured by the writer. In 1904 
another visit was made by the writer to Oquossoc Lake. The State Fish Hatchery located on 
Rangeley Stream was then in operation and the fish culturists were taking trout and salmon in 
