What is the law regarding the possession of a gaff when open-water fishing on inland waters?

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Gauging gear use on inland waters is about safety and fair handling. On open-water fishing in Maine’s inland waters, possessing a gaff is generally not allowed. The law sets a default prohibition, with two narrow exceptions where authorization can override it: if there is a specific permission for landing very large freshwater species, or within ice-fishing regulations that authorize gaff use. So the best option reflects that there’s a blanket prohibition for open-water inland fishing unless a special authorization exists.

For example, you wouldn’t have a gaff available for an open-water catch unless a permit or rule explicitly allows it for a large fish or under ice-fishing rules. This differs from saltwater or other contexts where different rules apply, and it isn’t a blanket permit for trophy fish or for inland waters in all situations.