Fishing Report

From Fisheries Resource Technician Brian Lewis, 5-5-25

Peepers are out and the leaves are starting to pop in southern Maine, sure signs that it is prime time for spring salmon fishing. Sebago Lake is fishing very well right now with anglers enjoying catches as large as 10 fish per morning. The bite is very early and can last only an hour or so on sunny days but seems to be lasting longer on some of the overcast/rainy days we have been seeing. Anglers and salmon seem concentrated between Outer Island and Spider Island on the north west side of the big bay but anglers fishing over deep water are having success too.

Once the salmon bite is over for the morning many anglers are heading to the shoals or south of Frye Island to target togue. It seems the hot thing currently is anchoring over structure and jigging, similar common ice fishing tactics.

If big lake fishing is not your thing there are plenty of smaller waters to try for salmon. Panther Pond in Raymond has been fishing well and Pleasant Lake in Casco can give up some large fish. Remember to double check the fishing laws before your trip as they very depending on management focus.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jason Seiders, 5-1-25

Brook Trout Ponds: As the water warms up a little, the brook trout fishing should heat up in the month of May. Rivers and streams will definitely be productive, but don't forget to try some of our local brook trout ponds. Each of these ponds is a little different in terms of regulations and overall experience, but they all offer great fishing opportunities. A few of these ponds offer an opportunity for fish up to 20-inches! Folks should really think about trying Tyler Pond in Manchester and Peters Pond in Waldoboro. Our recent surveys show that these ponds get very light angling pressure and they produce some great fishing! Here's a list of places to try:

• Peters Pond (Waldoboro)
• Tyler Pond (Manchester)
• Kimball Pond (Vienna)
• Egypt Pond (Fayette)
• Bowler Pond (Palermo)

Gould Pond Rainbow Trout: Gould Pond in Sidney is definitely worth a try this May. We've made a change in management from stocking brook trout to rainbows. We're hopeful that rainbows can survive a little better and grow to larger sizes than we saw with brook trout. The pond is full of insects and zooplankton so growth should be incredible for these fish!

Basin Pond: Basin Pond in Fayette offers a remote fishing opportunity right here in central Maine. It's a bit of a hike to get into Basin Pond, but the quality and trophy size splake might make it worth the trip. Basin has incredibly good water quality and the splake grow pretty well on the resident smelt population.

Webber Pond (Vassalboro): If you're looking to catch panfish in high numbers, Webber Pond is the place to go. Webber Pond has incredibly high populations of white perch, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish, and other warmwarer species.  Additionally, there are good numbers of chain pickerel and largemouth bass for those looking for bigger predator fish. This is a great place to take kids fishing, whether by boat or from shore.

Fishing tip: May is a great time of year to try for white perch. White perch are found in nearly all of the larger lakes and ponds in central and midcoast Maine. They bite virtually any small bait or lure, they're very active in the evening, and they can be caught from a boat or from shore. If you haven't fished for white perch you should give it a try. They fight really well and they make a great meal.

Good luck out there and stay safe!

From Fisheries Resource Technician Ashly Houle, 4-28-25

It is time to break out your fishing gear and get your boats ready as the open water season is officially here in the Downeast region! Water temperatures are still cool as the ice cover lingered later into April this year after our long cold winter. With the spring thaw now behind us, the fishing across the region is starting to pick up and the season is looking promising.

This spring, state hatcheries are preparing to stock over 30,000 fish across 55 waters in the Downeast area. Anglers can look forward to opportunities to catch brook trout, landlocked salmon, brown trout, and splake in a variety of scenic locations. View the stocking report online.

Places to Fish:
For anglers looking for a good adventure, the Upper and Lower Breakneck Ponds, and Halfmoon Pond are three small brook trout waters within Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island that are worth checking out. To access these waters anglers can park in the Eagle Lake parking area and hike in on carriage roads. Located close together, these waters are perfect for a day of pond-hopping. While shore fishing is possible in some areas, packing a float tube is ideal to help you cover water more efficiently later in May when the water warms up. All three of these ponds fall under general law regulations for spring. For tackle, a classic must have lure is a silver or gold Kastmaster ( ¼ ounce) is a go-to option- it's simple, effective, and great for casting long distances.

Fox Pond in Hancock County is another brook trout fishery anglers should try. This 77-acre pond is located right along Route 182 or commonly known as the Blacks Woods Road. There is a boat launch on the eastern end of the pond where you can launch a small boat or canoe. Fox Pond is also regulated under general law for the spring season.

No spring fishing recommendation would be complete without mentioning Grand Lake Stream, a quintessential destination for fly anglers in Downeast Maine. This premier fishery is especially productive in May, offering excellent opportunities to catch landlocked salmon. The streamer pattern known as the "Golden Retriever" or the classic "Barnes Special" pattern are both solid choices for this stream. For fly anglers nymphing- any small chironomid patterns such as red or black midges are a great go to for finicky landlocked salmon.

Reminders:
As May welcomes warmer weather it is still important to remember water temperatures are still very cool. The warm air temperatures and bright sun can be deceiving once you get on the water, a great tip to follow is to dress according to the water temperature rather than air temperature.

Do you use an inflatable PFD? Now is the time to check the cartridge. Make sure the indicator shows green- if it's red, it's time to replace it before heading out on the water.

This spring the Grand Lake Stream Hatchery is under construction to upgrade and expand. There will be no parking at the hatchery this spring for anglers, please keep an eye out for the signage posted. Access to the river by foot on hatchery grounds is still allowed only along the stream.

Fisheries Resources Supervisor Dylan Whitaker, 4-29-25

May is a great time of year to fish for trout and salmon in the Rangeley Lakes region. Trolling on Rangeley, Mooselookmeguntic, and Richardson Lakes can be productive as soon as ice goes out. Smelt patterns are especially effective this time of year, as smelt finish their spawning runs. Both trout and salmon feed heavily on this important food source during and after this spawning period.
Other notable lakes and ponds:

• Wesserunsett Pond (Madison) fishes well early in the season for brown trout.
• Saddleback Lake (Rangeley) is a reliable spot for brook trout.
• Chain of Ponds (Chain of Ponds TWP) offers a scenic adventure near the Canadian border and can provide a productive day for landlocked salmon

Rivers and streams also start producing action in May and stocking efforts are well underway:

• The Sandy River and Temple Stream (Farmington area) are local favorites for stocked brook trout.
• The Carrabassett River and Swift River receive both brook and rainbow trout and can offer fast fishing near Byron and Kingfield, respectively.

For those interested in wild trout, Maine's North Zone—including the Rangeley area—is true wild trout country. In May, water temperatures are generally favorable, and small backcountry ponds and streams can offer excellent fishing. It's a great time of year to finally stop at that roadside stream you've always driven past but never tried—or to explore that ambiguously named "Trout Pond" you've had circled in your 1998 Maine Gazatteer for years. Early May can start slow, but as water temperatures rise and insect hatches begin, the fishing can really heat up. When it does, you might be surprised by where you find a feeding frenzy of wild trout.

Many wild trout ponds and streams are subject to special protective regulations. Always consult the current lawbook or contact a regional office if you're unsure about the rules on a particular body of water.

Reminder: Please clean, drain, and dry your boat, waders, and any other equipment when traveling between waterbodies. This simple step helps protect our fisheries from aquatic invasive species.
Maine—especially the Northern fishing zone—is fortunate to have very few if any invasive aquatic plants or animals. It's important we all do our part to prevent the spread of any unintended hitchhikers. View these frequently asked questions.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Tim Obrey, 5-5-25

The ice cleared the last of our waters in late April/early May and the smelt runs are now winding down. The water is still very cool and our coldwater gamefish are very active. It's a great time to be out on the water, especially on our big lakes.

Moosehead Lake is a great place to fish with many different opportunities. We have good salmon, lake trout, and brook trout fishing throughout the year. Anglers with boats suitable for big water should look to the mouth of the Moose River in May. While the smelt run is winding down, they are still congregated in this area. Also, we typically see smelt drifting downstream from Brassua Lake in the Moose River this time of year. Anglers with smaller boats and canoes can still fish the lake, but need to find sheltered areas. Lily Bay State Park has a boat launch that is protected from the heavy winds. Anglers can also find good fishing right from shore this time of year. The wharf in Greenville Junction is a perennial favorite. The dock at the Rockwood boat launch can also be accessed by folks on foot. Most people simply plunk a smelt on the bottom or throw a gob of crawlers on a bobber out. There is enough room to cast a fly too. The fishing can be very good at these spots.

It's been a relatively dry spring so far, so the brooks and streams are in their banks and starting to warm. We haven't reached leaf-out yet, but it won't be long if we get a few days with sun and warmth. It should only be a few more days before the streams (and black flies) get active. Worms and bug repellent are a must for stream fishing!

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Kevin Gallant, 4-29-25

Spring is in full swing in the Penobscot Region. Now is the time to start hitting small trout ponds or trolling for salmon.  For small trout ponds try Trout, Loon, and Crystal Ponds in T40 MD, they all provide quality brook trout fishing.  For kids we also have ponds including the Burlington Fire Pond in Burlington, Edwards Family Pond in Lincoln, and Harris Farm Pond in Milo.  As for landlocked salmon trolling, East Grand Lake and Pemadumcook Lake are both providing fast fishing for quality fish. 

Keep an eye out for tagged fish: At East Grand, keep an eye out for radio tagged (and Floy tagged, see picture below) lake trout and lake whitefish.  Both are part of a study to learn more about spawning locations and movements.

If you're fishing in Pushaw Lake or connected waters, please keep an eye out for Floy-tagged northern pike. These tags are orange and/or green and help biologists track the movements of this invasive species.

If you catch a tagged pike, take a picture of the unique ID number on the tag as well as record your location. Anglers can report the tagged fish online at mefishwildlife.com/tag, calling 207-794-1029, or by sending an email to Kevin.Gallant@maine.gov. Angler reports of tagged fish are extremely important to aid in monitoring the spread of the species into connected waters, as well as important information on growth rates, age, and survival.

If you catch a pike outside the Pushaw Lake area, especially elsewhere in the Penobscot Region in the Penobscot River, please take a photo and note the exact location. You can share this information by calling the number or email above.

With your help, we can better understand the movement of these fish and provide valuable information that can be used to slow the expansion of these invasive fish into new waters.

Reminder: Make sure you always let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.  With the cold water and soft woods roads it is always a good idea to have a safety plan.

Tip:  Keep an eye on the lawbook to see what types of terminal tackle are allowed in the waters you plan to fish.  Flyfishing only (FFO) and Artificial lures only (ALO) are two common restrictions.  Other places let you use flies, lures, live bait, and worms.

Fisheries Resource Supervisor Frank Frost, 4-28-25

Ice outs in northern Maine are happening now and by the time this report is released most all waters in our area will be ice free.  Significant rainfall in late April has filled all of our waterways to normal high levels for this time of year.  Anglers should expect high water in early May and plan accordingly.  If you are venturing to the western part of our area, some of which includes North Maine Woods, be aware that gravel roads may still have extensive soft areas from winter; in areas where frost is still present, roads could be impassable.  In these cases significant damage to roads may occur with vehicle traffic so avoid these areas to minimize maintenance costs for landowners. 

In this report I'll focus on several areas of the Aroostook River where there is a lot of opportunity for anglers looking to get on the water early.  In these areas, small boats and canoes are common with outboard motors.  Trolling here is the preferred method early-on and is highly effective at catching brook trout under May water conditions.  Landlocked salmon are also caught but the fishery here is mainly for wild trout.  Some years this fishing continues well into June depending on rainfall.  The most common terminal gear is artificial lures which is required by rule on two stretches of the mainstem as outlined below.  Numerous boat launches make it possible to launch in one town and take out at another making several miles of river accessible in a day. 

1. Oxbow-Masardis-Ashland:  boat launches are available in each of these towns connecting nearly 30 miles of river; all of this stretch is managed under general law fishing with some exceptions including late season (August-September) restrictions; this stretch has the shortest window of good trout fishing due to the lack of water depth as river flows drop, so earlier is typically better
2. Ashland-Washburn-Presque Isle:  another approximately 30 mile stretch of river with boat launches in each town, much of this stretch is undeveloped with some wilderness character, especially from Ashland to Washburn; three major tributaries enter the mainstem Aroostook here – Beaver Brook, Salmon Brook, and Presque Isle Stream; good fishing conditions typically last longer, sometimes more than a month, depending on rainfall
3. Caribou-Fort Fairfield:  boat launches exist in both towns, downstream of Caribou Dam, providing the opportunity to access 12 miles of river with a launch at Forbes Pit off Fort Fairfield Road in Caribou that bisects the stretch approximately in half; this stretch of river has special fishing rules more restrictive than general law (see rulebook) and provides some excellent angling for larger trout; anglers can also expect good fishing to extend further into the season but is weather-dependent; as the popular trolling fishery winds down, anglers looking to cast to rising trout will find plenty of opportunity well into June; as river flows drop and water temperatures rise, there can be massive hatches of both caddis and mayflies

Reminders:  Many of our spring-stocked trout waters will get their annual allotment of spring yearling brook trout this month; check out the stocking report online to see where we've stocked recently.  Many of these trout waters are easily accessible off major road routes in eastern Aroostook County.  Eagle Lake continues to be a focus for our fisheries management work; we are nearing 10 years of special rules on salmon designed to reduce the population and minimize impacts to the lake's smelt population.  Our recent work indicates that we still have a robust salmon population of small fish. Anglers are encouraged to harvest their catch whenever they can to help us achieve our objectives for Eagle Lake.