What are the legal hours for smelting in Maine?

The legal hours for smelting in Maine are from noon to 2 am. This time frame allows for a significant window in which individuals can engage in smelting activities, particularly during those periods when fish are more likely to be active and responsive to bait.

Choosing this specific time period also aligns with regulations aimed at managing fish populations and promoting sustainable fishing practices. By specifying these hours, the regulations are designed to balance recreational opportunities for anglers with the need to protect the fishery resources.

The other options suggest either more restrictive or less regulated times that do not align with the established guidelines for smelting in Maine. For instance, legally restricting smelting to only night hours or daylight hours could limit opportunities and may not properly account for fish behavior and safety considerations for fishermen. Therefore, noon to 2 am represents the optimal and legally sanctioned window for this activity.