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MAINE - IT'S
NOT A SECRET ANYMORE -
"A world-class
destination for fishing"
See reader's comments
and experiences at
bottom of page
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Travel by class A motorhome?
See RoTi class A section Search RoTi RV reviews
Or class C maybe? - RoTi class C section
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MAINE - It’s not a secret anymore. National
publications and professional fishermen have shared
the fact that Maine is a world-class destination for
fishing. For variety and quality of fresh and
saltwater fish, the state can’t be beat. And now
more than ever Maine offers the best fishing value
in America, with hundreds of Registered Maine Guides
and outfitters ready to make the experience all the
more enjoyable. |
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.
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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.
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Travel by class B motorhome?
See
RoTi class B section Search RoTi RV reviews
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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.
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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.
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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 (http://www.maine.gov/ifw/) and the Maine
Department of Marine Resources (http://www.state.us.me/dmr/)
provide a wealth of information for anglers visiting Maine.
The Maine Professional Guides Association
(http://www.maineguides.org) provides information on
Registered Maine Fishing Guides throughout the state, and
the
Maine Sporting Camp Association
(http://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
http://www.visitmaine.com.
Maine - a
world-class fishing
destination?
What do you think?
Read RoTi readers' comments
below and add your own
opinion ... |
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