VIENNA — Wildlife officials say a prime central Maine brook trout pond is under threat because of illegal bass stocking.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says biologists have confirmed the presence of smallmouth bass in Kimball Pond in Vienna.

Fisheries Director Mike Brown says Kimball Pond has a first-class brook trout fishery that is now threatened by smallmouth bass, which will compete with trout for food and feed on small trout.

Officials say it may be impossible to eradicate bass from the pond, but that fishermen can do their part by removing any bass they catch.