Central Maine Bassmasters 
About
Membership: 20 Plus Bass Clubs / 200 plus adult members / 4 Honorary Members /3 Junior Bass Clubs / 40 plus junior members.
Mission Statement: The mission of this corporation is to promote the sport of bass fishing within the State of Maine in accordance with the goals and purpose of our parent organization known as the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). Additionally this corporation without bias will always put its members first and with regards to decisions made by its Board of Directors.
Giving Back To The Community: The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation is an affiliate of B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society). We are an organization of over 200 members that are dedicated to the preservation of our natural resources, the conservation of the valuable Maine bass fishery, and promoting the continuation and enjoyment of our sport through youth and educational activities. Promoting the safe release of all bass caught in our tournaments as well as promoting a Catch Measure Photo and Release mentality.
Our organization has been a leader in youth and conservation issues in the State since our inception many years ago. From lake clean-ups to the graduating of several of our members from a State weed inspection course. It is estimated that our members contribute over 1,500 hours of volunteering in some way, shape or form.
Each year the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members contribute hundreds of man-hours of volunteering with youth organizations, the elderly, children's camps, veteran groups and with other groups working on conservation projects. The MBFN, as an example, placed loon nests in several of Maine's lakes and ponds as well as built and placed duck boxes in area waters.
Invasive Species: The MBFN has always discouraged the illegal spread and importation of any invasive plant. We also do not and will not condone the implantation of any fish species from one body of water to another and are willing to report to the authorities any and all individuals who are caught in either case. Our goal is to maintain what we have today and control or rid the water of these invaders, not to spread these illegal introductions.
Youth Program: Under the guidance of the MBFN Youth Director Eric Kuehne, the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation started its first Junior Bassmaster Clubs. Mainely Bass of Lyman formed the first Junior Bass Club in Maine named the Mainely Bass Junior Bassmasters. In 2005 Androscoggin Bassmasters also formed the L/A Junior Bassmasters. In 2007 Central Maine Bassmasters added Reel Deal Junior Bassmasters.
We felt a need to introduce our area youth to the sport of bass fishing and all the related aspects of being in an organized club such as conservation, teamwork to name a few. These kids are taught not only the importance of family but how to fish and things like sportsmanship, respect of the outdoors, water and property owners rights. They are taught to be respectful of their environment and how to set examples for others. These junior clubs are also helping the kids deal with any peer pressure that may arise during their adolescence years. All in all it's a sure win for everyone involved.
Other Maine bass clubs have spent countless hours on and off the water with local handicapped children as well as spending quality time with the kids at Camp Sunshine and Pine Tree Society to name a few. As you can see our youth program is a cut above.
Supporting Our Veterans: The MBFN for several years have played host to the popular New England Paralyzed Veterans of America Trail tournament held from the Pine Tree Camp on North Pond in Belgrade, Maine. MBFN volunteer anglers pair up with Veterans for a day of fishing, food and fun.
Angler Conduct: We also realize the impact that any one boat and or angler can have on the general public. However, we cannot reach every bass fisherman out there, but the MBFN as a whole, hold our members to the highest standards both off and on the water.
If you have any concerns or issues with any fisherman or boater we urge you to take the person's name, the boat registration number and State down that is on the side of the boat and contact the proper authorities (Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife) with your concerns. If the individual involved is in a tournament, report this information to the tournament officials at the weigh-in site.
Charities: Everyone probably assumes that all we do is fish, fish and fish some more. However, many of our clubs sponsor bass tournaments that are open to the public, certain rules and regulations apply, which generate over $35,000 annually for charities, such as the Shriners, Children's Miracle Network, March of Dimes, Camp Sunshine and the Make a Wish Foundation of America . Here are some examples of the donations the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation member clubs have made over the years.
Since 1993 the Shriners' have received from a Maine B.A.S.S. Federated Open tournament as much as $10,000 to $20,000 annually. In 2006 the Shriners' received $9,000, Camp Sunshine received $1,000 and $1,400 went to the Children's Miracle Network. These are just a few of the numerous donations made to our charities.
Impact On The Economy: Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members spend thousands of dollars annually in Maine pursuing their love of bass fishing. Those dollars in many ways, directly and indirectly help the communities and businesses in those communities. It is estimated that the "casual" tournament bass angler will spend between $4000 -$10,000 each year to enjoy the sport. This includes the cost of gasoline, fishing tackle, food & beverage, lodging... and does not include the boat, which may have cost between $20,000 to $55,000 to purchase. Thus the members of the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation spend a total of over $1.6 million per year, contributing tens of thousands in tax dollars to the State of Maine. The economic benefit for a town or city, to hold a major multi-day B.A.S.S. tournament event is well over $500,000 per year.
Testimonials: The membership and affiliated clubs work hard to promote itself as an organization built on the highest ideals of sportsmanship and community spirit. Over the years many of those we interact with towards common pursuits have written us about their experiences in working with the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and our members. Below are their comments, and we thank those who extended the effort to write us such kind letters.
Peter Bourque, Director of Fisheries & Hatcheries, Dept of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: In 2003, Maine BASS member Duane Lewis, was great help in assisting the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife in a study of livewell mortality and oxygen levels. This was done due to a concern about bass being in livewells during especially hot summer days, when oxygen levels are lower. When Peter Bourque was asked his opinion on the value of work done, he had the following comments:
"...Most recently, Duane took the lead for the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation in working with our Dept's administration to get new Bass Tournament Rules implemented for the 2004 season. This was accomplished after much compromise by all. As a result of issues raised by the Commissioner's Advisory Council regarding water quality in bass livewells; Duane worked closely with some of Maine's Fisheries Biologist to set up an experiment and collect livewell data top present to the Council in December. In an effort to help educate the Advisory Council members he provided each Council Member with a copy of Keeping Bass Alive."
"The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was one of the leading organizations to support a change in Maine's law on black bass over a decade ago. This change resulted in very restrictive bag and length limits and has improved the size quality of our wild bass populations" " ...I am pleased to see the Federation take a more active role in the nuisance aquatic plant training and inspection program. Assistance to lake associations and other groups in these matters will help all to see that tournament fisherman do care about Maine lakes."
Maggie Shannon, Executive Director of Congress of Lakes Associations comments: "The essence of our informal partnership is that Maine COLA provided hands-on training to representatives of the many Maine B.A.S.S. clubs at a meeting held in early spring of 2003. The reps, in return, took the information back to their respective clubs, so that all were prepared to protect the lakes where they hold tournaments from inadvertent introductions of unwanted plants. In line with the motto: INSPECT TO PROTECT, Maine B.A.S.S. agreed to post inspectors at tournaments this past summer to check each boat, equipment and motor for plant fragments before launching.
As Executive Director of Maine COLA, I have received reports all summer from individuals and associations who have witnessed the inspections at Maine B.A.S.S. Tournaments this year. This is so very important because prevention is the only game in town when it comes to these invaders, and bass fisherman are so influential. That is why it is so exciting that Maine B.A.S.S. has offered to demonstrate the kind of practices everyone must follow if we are to save Maine lakes from the ruin other lakes have suffered elsewhere."
Roberta Hill, Program Director of the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants comments: "Though a number of bass club members have attended Plant Patrol workshops in the past three years, in 2004 we are partnered with the Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation to ramp up the training opportunities for bass fisherman in the State. Given their extensive expertise, their longstanding and enthusiastic commitment to conservation, and their penchant for stalking around in fertile fringes of the lakes and ponds, the bass fisherman of Maine, perhaps more than any other single group, hold a powerful key to the success of Maine's "early detection" effort."
Betty Lewis, Educational Director of the Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department: Comments on the Federations work with her department on the "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" Program: "The Maine B.A.S.S. Federation Nation has been supporting my efforts with this program for well over 10 years. We as bass anglers have so much to offer youth, a love for the sport, a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of fish and fishing as well as our time and energy! How much more perfect can two entities be for each other?"
Judith Saucier, Director - Central Maine office of the March of Dimes: Comments on the Bronzeback Maniacs charitable efforts for their group: "Thank you Mr. Morris, for leading the way for this honorable organization. This group not only fosters teamwork, but promotes sincere concern for the community and its environment. I am proud to associate the March of Dimes with the Bronzeback Maniacs of Lewiston, Me. and delight in the possibilities of nurturing an ongoing partnership with such people.