Maine offers thousands of miles of waterways from streams to ponds to massive lakes all stuffed with an abundance of fish. Depending where you fish, you’ll find plenty of brook trout, Arctic char, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and a variety of perch, among other fish species. For the best fishing spots, you’ll want to hire a registered Maine guide or talk to the locals. Just remember that anyone over 16 years-old needs a fishing license to fish in freshwater. Here are the best fishing spots in the state.
Located just 10 miles from Maine’s capital city of Augusta, the Belgrade Lakes are a series of island-dotted lakes perfect for fishing for the whole family. The lakes are popular for their large stocks of both smallmouth and largemouth bass and brook trout. Large northern pike are also known to make a go at the bait of your hook, too. Maine Wilderness Tours can help you catch your dinner and Day’s Store will supply you with your fishing license and bait needs.
Grand Lake Stream is legendary amongst the fly fishers for landlocked salmon. Fishermen come from near and far to fish this waterway as it is ranked as one of the best in North America. Grand Lake Stream is roughly three miles-long with gin-clear water that flows from West Grand Lake towards the St. Croix River on the border of New Brunswick. Due to the river’s deep pools, salmon can be found throughout the summer months.
Sebago Lake can be fished year-round, but it is one of the best-known lakes in North America during the ice fishing season. Anglers come from all over the country to sit in their huts and await a tug on their line. Maine’s deepest lake is home to a variety of fish, but most notably landlocked salmon and lake trout. Kids can easily catch sunfish and panfish off the docks during the summer months, but you’ll need a boat if you plan to catch dinner. Jordan’s Store in East Sebago is one of the best places around the lake to get bait and tackle.
Situated in Camden Hills State Park, Megunticook Lake is a more than 1,200-acre lake popular with anglers and kayakers. Its water is clear and the lake has tons of small coves, islands, and long open stretches. You’ll find plenty of small mouth and largemouth bass, and white perch. Fishing can be done by motorboat, canoe, kayak, or from shore.
Even if you can’t correctly pronounce the name of this lake, it’s one of the best in the state. In 2013, Bassmaster Magazine named it as Maine’s top bass fishing lake. Known as central Maine’s largest lake, this 5,500-acre lake is stocked with tons of largemouth bass. Its many islands, inlets, coves, and drop-offs make it a great lake for bass tournaments. Other common fish species caught in the lake include northern pike, brown trout, and white perch.
