Cast Away to a Maine Fishing Adventure

Freshwater anglers can take their pick from 6,000 lakes and ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, filled with wild brook, brown and rainbow trout, small and largemouth bass, lake trout, Arctic charr, and landlocked salmon. Those who prefer to land sea run striped bass, bluefish, mackerel, bluefin tuna or sharks have 5,500 miles of coastline and tidal rivers to choose from.

Maine's freshwater open season runs from April 1 through September 30, with locations in eight counties extending the season through December 31. Saltwater sportfishing is permitted year-round with regulations for individual species and locations.

Rivers and Streams

Maine has the largest native brook trout population in the country and more miles of native brook trout water than any other state, according to the Eastern Brook Trout Venture.

• Western Maine's Androscoggin River is one of the few places in the state to catch wild rainbow trout. Brown trout and smallmouths are also dependable June through August on the river's upper leg between Gilead and Jay. Kayak and drift boat fishing are popular on the river.
• The Kennebec River drains from Moosehead Lake and runs due south through the central part of the state before meeting the ocean at Popham Beach. Brown trout running up to 20 inches are favorite catches along the river's midsection from Bingham to Augusta. The spot for fly casters is at the river's East Outlet where landlocked salmon, the freshwater form of the sea-run Atlantic salmon, are on the move to spawn. May through July, and September are the best times to fish the river.
• The Penobscot River in eastern Maine is one of the northeast's premiere river smallmouth bass fisheries. Lively 3-to 4-pound smallies enjoy the numerous grass beds and islands on the main route between Old Town and Medway, and along the river's remote East Branch. Trophy landlocked salmon and brook trout draw anglers to the river's West Branch below Ripogenus Dam northeast of Millinocket.

Grand Lake Stream near the New Brunswick, Canada border in eastern Maine has great early season and fall fly fishing for native landlocks, while good smallmouth fishing waits in the St. Croix River east of Grand Lake Stream. Farther north, the Meduxnekeag River is a true limestone waterway with healthy browns and brookies, and at the top of the state the Allagash River and Fish River hold wild brook trout.

The Rapid River flows west to Umbagog Lake on the New Hampshire border and treats visitors to large brook trout in a backcountry setting. North of Rangeley, the Kennebago River is a salmon nursery with good spring and fall action.

In southern Maine, the Little Ossipee River is home to brown and brook trout, and the Presumpscot River is known for trout and landlocked salmon.

Lakes and Ponds

The landlocked salmon is Maine's official state fish, and the most sought after catch for lake and pond anglers. Maine leads the country with 160 waters managed for landlocks.

• The Rangeley Lakes region is legendary for its dozens of large and small fishing holes packed with brook trout and landlocked salmon. Four to eight-pound salmon are common in Rangeley Lake, and 3-pound brookies are the norm in Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Surface trolling is best during spring and fall.
• Sebago Lake is southern Maine's best bet for trophy landlocks, lake trout (togue) and bass. Square Pond in Acton annually produces large brown trout, while Moose Pond in Bridgton is a destination for those seeking largemouth bass.
• At 74,890 acres, Moosehead Lake is Maine's largest and one of the biggest natural freshwater lakes in the country. Native coldwater species are the favorite catch here, with trophy salmon, lake trout and wild brook trout leading the way.

The venues for small and largemouth bass are first-rate in the Winthrop and Belgrade Lakes region. Annabessacook Lake and Webber Pond are known for the big ones, while Cobbosseecontee Lake and Long Pond rank among the best for smallmouths.

Lake trout, wild brook trout and the largest landlocks in the region can be found in the Fish River chain of lakes in northern Maine. Fiesty smallmouth bass populate the waters of the Lincoln Lakes region north of Bangor, while the downeast region has bass action at Third Machias and Meddybemps lakes, and good landlock, lake trout and smallmouth fishing at West Grand Lake and Green Lake.

Saltwater Adventures

The excitement continues on Maine's tidal rivers and ocean fishing grounds where a license is not required for recreational fishing.

The Kennebec River, from Popham Beach to Bath, is a must-visit for striped bass fans. Stripers also run heavy at the mouths of the Damariscotta River and Penobscot River, while Casco Bay from Cape Elizabeth to Harpswell is a good bet for stripers, bluefish and mackerel. Plenty of private charter operations are available in these areas.

The southern ports of Saco, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport and Kittery are starting points for full-day trips to Jefferys Ledge, the home of cod, pollock, bluefin tuna and sharks. Blue and mako sharks, and bluefins up to 1,000 pounds are the prize fish for charters leaving Boothbay Harbor for The Kettle fishing grounds south of Seguin Island.

Daily bag limits, minimum length limits, and lure restrictions vary by season and location for fresh and saltwater fishing. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (www.maine.gov/ifw) and the Maine Department of Marine Resources (www.maine.gov/dmr/index.htm) provide a wealth of information for anglers visiting Maine.

The Maine Professional Guides Association (www.maineguides.org) provides information on Registered Maine Fishing Guides throughout the state, and the Maine Sporting Camp Association (www.mainesportingcamps.com) assists visitors with traditional fishing vacations.

For more information about fishing destinations or help planning a trip to Maine, call 1-888-956-2463 or log on to www.visitmaine.com.