Fishing Report

July & August Report

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Nick Kalejs, 6-23-25

Places to fish: We are entering the hottest days of summer now and water temperatures have warmed up, which means fast action on warm water species. Fish such as bass, perch, pickerel, or even panfish can provide quick, fun action, and can often be found in similar areas, allowing for a multi-species day. Many small, weedy ponds are likely to contain a mix of these fish, all of them popular targets for beginning and experienced anglers alike. Lily Pond in New Gloucester is one such small water with good-sized black crappie (an invasive species with no size or bag limit), as well as largemouth bass, and provides a nice place to paddle a canoe or kayak. On larger bodies of water, most shallow coves will be hotspots for warm water species as well. Even on a cold, deep waterbody like Sebago Lake, smallmouth bass, pickerel, and crappie can be abundant in the more secluded areas. Further north, Norway (Pennesseewassee) Lake can give up some quality-sized smallmouth bass as well. For a change of pace, fishing a cold, mountain stream is a great way to beat the heat. Many streams in the Maine portion of the White Mountain National Forest contain wild brook trout and provide especially tranquil settings.

Fishing tip: Whether fishing for black crappie in a pond or wild brook trout in a stream, targeting woody structure is a good bet. Fish will congregate in the shadows for protection and to stay cool—something we can all understand in the summer.

Reminders: On August 16, fall season regulations come into effect for rivers, streams, and brooks across the state. This means artificial lures or flies only, and a reduced daily bag limit of one fish for both landlocked salmon and brook trout. As always, remember to check your lawbook before heading out.

July & August Report

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Wes Ashe, 6-20-2025

Where to go and what you'll catch: During July and August, water temperatures on Maine's lakes and ponds soar and coldwater fish, aka salmonids, retreat below the thermocline where conditions are more suitable. If you don't have a boat with the right equipment, trout and salmon fishing can be a difficult task. In contrast, fish like perch (yellow & white), sunfish, largemouth bass, pickerel and other panfish thrive during mid-summer. With optimal temperatures between 70 and 80°F, most central Maine warmwater fish populations spend their days close to shore, actively feeding, and near some sort of structure (e.g., docks, vegetation, rock piles, etc.).

Whether you're fishing from shore (*) or in a boat, below is a list of Region B waters where spiny-ray fish are most plentiful:

• Androscoggin Lake (Wayne)
  
• Big Indian Pond (Saint Albans)
  
• Etna Pond (Etna)
  
• Hermon Pond (Hermon)
  
• Pleasant Lake (Stetson)
  
• *Plymouth Pond (Plymouth)
  
• Quantabacook Lake (Searsmont)
  
• Sandy Pond (Freedom)
  
• *Togus Pond (Augusta)
  
• Unity Pond (Unity)

Tips: Largemouth bass, white perch, and some other panfishes have crepuscular tendencies – meaning they are most active during twilight. That means you'll want to mirror the fish and spend most of your angling hours at sunrise and sunset for your most productive trips.

Reminders: Most fish diets include a variety of insects and baitfish, so go with smaller tackle. Larger tackle may land you an occasional trophy, but it also limits your creel to a select size class of fish in any given water. Your best bet is to downsize your tackle for more fish and higher catch rates.

July & August Report

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Ashley Houle, 6-23-25

The warmer summer weather has officially arrived here in Downeast Maine, bringing heat waves after a cold and wet spring. Now is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy some of the region's premier fishing spots.
Salmon Pond and Little Long Pond, located in Township T10 SD in Hancock County, are two excellent brook trout waters perfect for a day trip. These picturesque ponds offer a remote experience as they're tucked away in the hills east of Tunk Mountain. Access requires a one-mile hike off Route 182 via the Hidden Ponds and Tunk Mountain Trail.

If you're up for more of an adventure, consider pairing your fishing outing with a hike to the summit of Tunk Mountain, about a four-mile round trip in total. Packing a float tube can be especially helpful for covering more water and reaching deeper depths where fish may be holding.

For anglers targeting landlocked salmon, Long Pond on Mount Desert Island and Beech Hill Pond in Otis are go-to destinations. Beech Hill Pond also holds a robust population of lake trout. Trolling at deeper depths is the most productive technique this time of year, as salmonids move to cooler, deeper water in search of thermal refuge.

July and August are perfect months to transition into bass fishing as the water warms. Bass are very active and can be found in shallow areas, making for a fun day of steady action. The Union River, St. Croix River, and East Machias River all offer strong populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass. These river systems feature plenty of access points for bank fishing or float trips.

Reminder: During the summer, it's especially important to practice proper fish handling, particularly when fishing for coldwater species like trout and salmon. If you're planning to release your catch, minimize handling time, wet your hands before touching the fish, and avoid putting your fingers near the gills.

Fishing tip: Some of the best days on the water start before the sun rises, plan your fishing trips for early mornings when surface temperatures are lower when trout and salmon are more active. Along with packing your lucky lures don't forget the sunscreen and bug spray!

For anglers who are fishing at Grand Lake Stream keep an eye out for MDIFW's newly constructed volunteer boxes. Six boxes are stationed across main access areas, and we are asking for anglers to fill out a card to record their completed trip data. This data will assist in longterm monitoring of the landlocked salmon fishery at Grand Lake Stream and any participation is greatly appreciated.

July & August Report

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Dylan Whitaker, 6-26,25

Places to Go:
Summer is finally here! Whether your plans include camping, hiking, boating, swimming, scouting, or foraging, I always recommend packing a fishing rod. With so many of us spending time outdoors, there are plenty of opportunities to cast a line—you never know when you'll come across a hidden fishing hole or even hook the fish of a lifetime.

If you're looking for a new spot to fish, try Rowe Pond in Pleasant Ridge Plt. Rowe Pond is stocked annually in the spring with brook trout and has good water access off Rowe Pond road on the south end of the lake. A few remote campsites are located on the north end of the lake between Rowe Pond and Jewett Pond.

For fly-fishing enthusiasts—or those looking to get started—Shiloh Pond (also known as Dutton Pond) in Kingfield is a great choice. This fly-fishing-only, 20-acre pond has a maximum depth of 39 feet and excellent water quality that allows stocked brook trout to survive and grow over several seasons. During warmer months, try a sinking-tip line and slowly strip a woolly bugger, or fish early in the morning or late in the evening to take advantage of any hatches. Shiloh Pond is foot-accessible via a short walk past the gate at the end of Tufts Pond Road, off Route 27. Bring your own canoe to reach deeper areas or explore the shoreline for a spot you can fish from the bank.

If you're up for a backcountry challenge, head to Ledge Pond, located southwest of Saddleback Mountain. This remote 6-acre pond is stocked annually by plane and offers excellent fishing for brook trout. Access is via the Appalachian Trail off Route 4. Look for orange flagging at the large S-turn just south of Eddy Pond. The hike is approximately 7 miles round-trip and moderately strenuous, so come prepared with plenty of food and water.

Fishing Tip:
July and August are when Maine's waters begin to warm, making coldwater species like trout and salmon a bit harder to find. Like us, fish seek cooler temperatures to escape the summer heat. Focus on deeper water, shaded areas, undercut banks, or deep pools. Early mornings after a cold front can be especially productive. Be willing to adapt your tactics—whether it's using different gear, fishing deeper, or changing your presentation style. Conditions evolve quickly this time of year, and flexibility is key to success.

If you're practicing catch-and-release, be mindful of the added stress warm temperatures place on coldwater species. Minimize handling time, keep fish wet, and release them quickly to help ensure they survive to fight another day.

Reminders:
With increased heat and humidity, rolling thunderstorms with high winds can pop up quickly. Always check the forecast before heading out and keep a close eye on the sky while on the water. Be ready to seek shelter if a storm approaches and never forget your personal flotation device.

July & August Report

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Stephen Seeback, 6-25-25

The Moosehead Lake region offers diverse fishing opportunities in July and August, with conditions varying between the vastness of Maine's largest lake to the rivers and ponds that create the fishing paradise the region offers that extends beyond the shoreline of Moosehead Lake.

Anglers targeting lake trout (togue) during the heat of the summer will need to focus their efforts on deeper water. For Allagash Lake, Chamberlain Lake, First Roach Pond, Harrington Lake, Lobster Lake, Lower Wilson Pond, Moosehead Lake, Nahmakanta Lake, and Sebec Lake, focus on depths of 35-50 feet, as fish tend to stay near the thermocline. Anglers should avoid fishing deeper than 90 feet, since those areas are typically inhabited by smaller lake trout.

Brook trout and landlocked salmon are more active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. As water temperatures rise though the day, they move to deeper, cooler areas. In smaller ponds, focus on depths of 12-15 feet, as deeper areas may lack sufficient oxygen for fish.

One sure thing to bring the fish to the surface one last time before the summer heat settles in is the highly anticipated event for flyfishing anglers, the Green Drake (hex) hatch, that runs from late June through mid-July. The timing of this event coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The hatch usually intensifies during the evening, with mayflies emerging around dusk and continuing into the night. Trout often feed more aggressively during this phenomenon, making evening fishing particularly productive and a summer bucket list idea for any angler visiting the North Maine Woods this summer. Experiencing this wonder offers anglers a chance to engage in one of the most exciting dry flyfishing events of the season. These giant mayflies hatch on most of Maine's muddy bottom trout ponds.

Anglers that enjoy fishing in moving water should focus their efforts on tailrace fisheries. Tailrace fishing refers to fishing below a dam or hydroelectric facility, where water is released and creates strong currents, oxygen-rich water, and often concentrated fish activity. Dams can create favorable fishing by providing constant summer flows when some rivers would experience a lack of fishable flows during the summer months. This is one of the reasons that not all dams are bad in the world of fisheries management. A few tailrace fisheries to try this summer are:

• East Outlet of the Kennebec River, Moosehead Lake
• Moose River, Below Brassua Dam
• West Branch of Penobscot River, Below Seboomook Dam
• West Branch of Penobscot River, below Ripogenus Dam

Well, if you tried your luck with the forementioned coldwater fisheries options the region has to offer and are looking to target other options, both smallmouth bass (1976) and white perch (1980) were illegally introduced into Moosehead Lake. These species are becoming more abundant in Moosehead Lake and connected waters. These fish are active throughout the summer, especially near rocky structures and drop-offs. Smallmouth bass and white perch both have no size or daily bag limits in the north zone. Help save Maine's coldwater fisheries fishing heritage by harvesting some smallmouth bass and white perch from the waters they don't belong in! 

July & August Report

Fisheries Resource Supervisor Kevin Dunham, 6-23-25

With the welcomed warmer weather of summer comes elevated water temperatures. The increase in temperature of near-surface lake and pond water drives fish deeper into the water column in search of cooler conditions. July and August are not typically "fast action" fishing months, but with the proper gear anglers can get their bait and lures to a depth where fish are hanging out. Most coldwater lakes in Maine stratify as water temperatures rise. This stratification results in a warmer, less dense layer of water high in the water column and a colder, denser area deeper in the water column. The zone of transition between the warm and cold-water temperatures is the thermocline. During summer months coldwater game fish (and many warmwater species) prefer to spend their days cruising the deeper, well-oxygenated, cooler water below the thermocline and this is the area anglers should be targeting as well. Though the location of the thermocline varies by waterbody, we've found that in many lakes and ponds in Region F the thermocline sets up roughly between 15 and 30 feet deep. 

A few waters to concentrate on in July and August include: East Grand Lake (Danforth) which has produced some robust lake trout and salmon already this year, Matagamon Lake (T6 R8) has also given up a good number of landlocks and lakers to date. Pleasant Lake (T7 R2 NBPP) is an often-overlooked water and salmon anglers should put this one on their list this summer.

Just because water temperatures are on the rise doesn't mean brook trout anglers should sit idle. Much like salmon, brook trout are known to favor the cooler depths of waterbodies. However, anglers shouldn't give up on brook trout as they will come into shallower water to feed during early mornings and evenings when the water temperatures tend to moderate somewhat. There are many excellent trout ponds in Region F, with several located in Baxter State Park. The park provides rental canoes at some remote, and some not so remote ponds. Though numerous ponds in the park can be fished from shore, it is a bonus to have a canoe available for use after hiking into a pond. View more information and canoe rentals in Baster State Park (PDF). In cooperation with Baxter Park, we are conducting a voluntary creel survey on select park waters. Keep an eye out for survey boxes where you can grab a card to record your fishing trip details. This important data will be used to monitor the fishery and help mold future management decisions. Please consider participating in the survey and see a park ranger for more information.

Many waters in Baxter State Park have special regulations so be sure to consult the Maine Inland Fishing Laws book or FLOAT (Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool) before heading out for an enjoyable day of fishing.

July & August Report

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Jeremiah Wood, 6-20-2025

Where to fish: Northern Maine is a land of opportunity for the summertime angler. As one fisherman recently told me, "There's so many places to fish up here, I'll never get to them all!". Whether in lakes, ponds, rivers or brooks, you'll find no shortage of places to catch fish, particularly for cold water species that can be less common farther south.

The Deboullie Public Lands unit, which encompasses all of T15 R9 WELS is an excellent summer destination for trout fishing. With abundant hiking trails, primitive campsites, beautiful scenery and more than a dozen ponds to choose from, it's no wonder the area attracts so many visitors. Many of the ponds are restricted to fly fishing only, while others allow the use of worms and artificial lures. Some require hikes to access, while you can drive to the shore of others. Check the fishing regulations for each water ahead of time to find an opportunity that fits your experience level and preference.

Like many Maine rivers, water in the Aroostook River warms considerably during the summer months. This river is unique, however, because its limestone geology results in numerous springs that provide areas of cooler groundwater. From Presque Isle to the Maine/New Brunswick border, many of these cold water influences are popular fishing spots in July and August. Abundant evening insect hatches can increase trout activity and fishing success here as well.

We recently wrapped up our annual landlocked salmon sampling on Eagle Lake in the Fish River Chain. This work allows biologists to assess the diet, age composition and growth rate of salmon in one of Aroostook County's most important fisheries. Preliminary results suggest that young-of-year smelt numbers are much lower than previous years. Smelts are a critical food item for landlocked salmon, and it takes a lot of them to support the abundant salmon population in Eagle. That's why there is no bag limit on salmon less than 14" long here. By keeping more of these smaller salmon, you can help contribute to our management goals. I hear they're great on the smoker.

Tip: Finding concentrations of fish can be more important to angling success than any other factor. By understanding more about a fish species' habitat requirements and preferences you can narrow down places that are likely to hold more fish. I always encourage folks to bring a pocket thermometer along when trout fishing and look for areas of cooler water that brook trout need to survive in the summer. When fishing in lakes, pay attention to wind currents that concentrate food items near specific points or bays. In streams, deep, slow pools adjacent to flowing water can provide the right balance between cover, rest, and food availability. Paying attention to these details can go a long way toward maximizing time spent on the water.