This is the Official Maine Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Maine state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
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Weather its Maine Trout fishing, Maine bass fishing, Maine striper fishing, Maine Salmon fishing, Maine Catfish fishing, Maine steelhead fishing, Maine Panfish fishing, Maine pike/muskie fishing, Maine Walleye fishing,  Maine Marlin Fishing, Maine Salt Water Fishing, Maine Tuna fishing, Maine Tarpon fishing, Maine Snook fishing, Maine Red fish fishing We have the Maine state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Maine fishing maps, Maine state fishing maps, or just some Maine fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Maine Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Maine, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Allagash Lake, Androscoggin Lake, Aziscohos Lake, Baskahegan Lake, Chamberlain Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Eagle Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Grand Lake, Grand Lake Matagamon, Great Pond, Lobster Lake, Long Lake Harrison-Naples, Mattawamkeag Lake, Meddybemps Lake, Millinocket Lake, Moosehead Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Munsungan Lake, Pemadumcook Lakes, Portage Lake, Rangeley Lake, Richardson Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake, Square Lake, St Froid Lake, Thompson Lake, Umabog Lake, West Grand Lake and others. Many of the lakes in Maine have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Maine is well known for excellent Bass, Salmon and Trout fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Walleye, Crappie, Catfish, Stripers, Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel and sunfish including White Perch, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Maine by the Fish & Game Department.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in Maine.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Maine area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Maine

Lots of places to fish for bass in Maine. Private bonds, rivers and small lakes are quite likely to contain bass. Larger bodies of water like Androscoggin Lake, Big Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Gardner Lake, Graham Lake, Grand Lake, Great Pond, Long Lake Harrison-Naples, Mattawamkeag Lake, Meddybemps Lake, Messalonskee Lake, Pushaw Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake and Thompson Lake have healthy populations of bass.

The Maine state record for largemouth bass was caught from Moose Pond and thr state record smallmouth came from Thompson Lake.

Trout Fishing in Maine

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Maine

With all the clear cold water in Maine, it's no wonder that you can find trout in most waters. Virtually all streams and rivers contain trout. Major lakes with a healthy trout population include Allagash Lake, Androscoggin Lake, Aziscohos Lake, Baskahegan Lake, Chamberlain Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Eagle Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Grand Lake, Grand Lake Matagamon, Great Pond, Lobster Lake, Long Lake Harrison-Naples, Mattawamkeag Lake, Meddybemps Lake, Millinocket Lake, Moosehead Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Munsungan Lake, Pemadumcook Lakes, Portage Lake, Rangeley Lake, Richardson Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake, Square Lake, St Froid Lake, Thompson Lake, Umabog Lake and West Grand Lake.

The Maine state record blueback trout came from Basin Pond. The state record brown and brook trout both came from Square pond. Beech Hill Pond yielded the state record lake trout.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is also known as Great Lakes trout, Mackinaw trout and salmon trout. It feeds on virtually all forms of flesh which abound in its home waters. Minnows, smelt, eels and any variety of small fishes are part of the lake trout's diet. It's rich flaky flesh makes it a tasty table favorite.

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.

Salmon Fishing in Maine

Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar

Called by many "King of the game fishes", the Atlantic salmon has limited range in the northeastern seaboard states. It spends the first 2 or 3 years in the freshwater stream where it was hatched then ventures out into the ocean bulking up on shrimp, herring, smelt, crabs and small fishes. During its first or second spring (or early summer) it migrates back up the freshwater stream where it was hatched. In the fall they spawn and return to the ocean and repeat the cycle. Most atlantic salmon spawn 2 to 4 times during their lifetime.

Salmon Fishing Waters in Maine

If you like salmon, you gotta like Maine. Major lakes including Aziscohos Lake, Big Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Eagle Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Gardner Lake, Graham Lake, Grand Lake Matagamon, Lobster Lake, Long Lake Harrison-Naples, Mattawamkeag Lake, Millinocket Lake, Moosehead Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Munsungan Lake, Pemadumcook Lakes, Rangeley Lake, Richardson Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake, Square Lake, St Froid Lake, Thompson Lake and West Grand Lake all have healthy populations of salmon.

The Fish River, Mattawamkeag River, Grand Lake Stream, Moose River, Roach River and the Kennebec River (East and West Outlets) are some of the rivers with good to excellent salmon fishing.

The Maine state record landlocked salmon came from Sebago Lake.

5 Members of The Pacific Salmon Family

Pacific Salmon are born in and remain in freshwater streams for the early years of life. The number varies by specie. Afterward they migrate to the Pacific Ocean waters where they bulk up and prepare for their once in a lifetime spawning run up the freshwater stream where they were born. They will instinctively return to their birthplace, spawn and die. They are found in the streams which into the ocean and adjoining ocean waters of Northern California, Oregon and Washington. They have also been stocked in the Great Lakes with some success however the programs require continual stocking.

Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The largest of the Pacific Salmon, the chinook lives for 5 to 7 years and reaches a size well over 100 pounds.

Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta

One of the smaller of the group the chum lives 3 to 5 years and seldom exceeds 10 pounds.

Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

The smallest of the Pacific Salmon the pink seldom tops 5 pounds and lives only 2 years.

Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka

The sockeye lives 4 or 5 years and top weights seldom get to 8 pounds.

Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch

Growing to a size in the 15 pound range, the coho salmon lives for three years in their journey to continue the propagation of their species. Average catch is in the 8 to 12 pound range.

Salmon Fishing

Salmon fishing is at it's best during the salmon runs which can occur as early as May in the north to July as you move southward. Often a late run may happen as late as October.

Once the water temperature drops to about 50 degrees in the fall the atlantic salmon begin their spawning rituals. Young salmon stay in the fresh water until their second or third spring when they make their way to the ocean.

The preferred method for catchin salmon is fly fishing. Depending on the activity level, salmon may be caught on wet or dry flies.

Crappie Fishing in Maine

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Maine

For all its fishing opportunities, Maine has very limited crappie fishing. Two major lakes, Sebasticook Lake and Sebago Lake have reasonably good populations of crappie. Some private ponds may also have a small population of crappie. Sibley Pond was home to the state record black crappie.

Catfish Fishing in Maine

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Maine

With all the cold water in Maine, it doesn't make a good home for most catfish. You can find catfish in some private ponds and occasionally in the river systems but the only serious populations of catfish are in a few major lakes including Damariscotta Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Graham Lake and Sebago Lake.

No Maine state records are recorded for catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in Maine for Bluegills, White Perch, Yellow Perch and Other ME Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Maine and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Maine

Because panfish are a primary food source for many predator fish, you can find them in most waters where you find the predators. And often in waters where they are the top of the food chain. Private ponds are a good example. Major lakes are always a good place to look for panfish. In Maine, try Allagash Lake, Androscoggin Lake, Big Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Gardner Lake, Graham Lake, Grand Lake, Grand Lake Matagamon, Lobster Lake, Long Lake Harrison-Naples, Mattawamkeag Lake, Meddybemps Lake, Messalonskee Lake, Millinocket Lake, Pemadumcook Lakes, Pushaw Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake, St Froid Lake and West Grand Lake.

The Maine state record white perch was caught from Messalonskee Lake and the state record yellow perch was taken from Worthley Pond.

Fishing for Musky, Northern Pike & Chain Pickerel in Maine.

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others.
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