Most Frequently Asked Questionsabout fishing in Maine & the Moosehead Lake Region
As defined by the department of Island Fisheries And Wildlife, the Moosehead Lake Region lies in the west central portion of Maine bordering on it's west side the province of Quebec. In it's 4400 square miles of territory there are 625 ponds and lakes over ten acres . With Moosehead being the biggest at 75,000 acres. 24% of Maine's total lake area is in this region. There is also 336 miles of mainstream rivers with an additional 3847 miles of tributaries. 13% of the states total. Of this lies the headwaters of the Kennebec, Penobscot , St. John Rivers, and Moose River Drainages..
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Our rivers are dominated by landlock salmon also holding brook trout. Within a thirty minute drive from Greenville you can be on the Moose, East & West Outlets of the Kennebec or the Roach River. The countless remote ponds in the region hold good populations of native brook trout. Smallmouth bass provide fast action and are found in some remote areas.
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Our fishing season doesn't really start till the first of May. Ice is just leaving the lakes and ponds. The rivers traditionally are high and cold. We start to take reservation for guiding around the 15th of May. The season runs till the end of September for most of the waters. The East and West Outlet of the Kennebec River now has an October season with catch and release laws in effect.
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Depending on the type of fisherman you are the entire season can be quite good. Early season fishing May-Mid June is streamer fly time. Sinking lines and smelt imitations dominate. You'll catch mostly bigger fish at this time but not the numbers that you can catch after the hatches start. May fly hatches start the 1st week in June with Caddis kicking in by the 3rd week with big hatches continuing throughout July. Mid June till Mid July being quite reliable dry fly action with mid day hatches common. August is stone fly and terrestrial season . On a hot summer you may have to get up early and work a bit harder but fishing still holds up especially on the tail water fisheries. September is spawning season with the biggest fish of the season entering the rivers prior to their October and November spawn. We traditionally us large attractor streamer patterns. Although nymphing can also be quite productive. Something to invade their territory.
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As soon as the ice goes out fish get quite active around the shore line and at the mouth of streams where smelts congregate to spawn. Larger predatory nymphs such as dragon and damsel flies roam the shallows where the water is slightly warmer. Full sinking or sink-tip lines are the order of the day.
As June starts Mayflies will pop, with mid-day hatches common and spinner falls just at dark. When July approaches Maine's favorite hex hatches start and run to mid month. The monster May Flies provide the best chance of the season to take the biggest trout on dries although nymphing works well too. The heat of the summer demands locating and nymphing the spring holes. At this time of year the fish are stacked up in the natural spring water entering the bottom of the ponds. The spring may not be any bigger than your living room but it will hold the majority of the ponds trout. Find it and you may have a summer day like none you've had.
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East Outlet of the Kennebec - 3 1/2 mile stretch of remote water starting at Moosehead Lake flowing into Indian Pond. A dirt road follows the west side for about a mile then its on foot the rest of the way. Fly Fishing Only
Moose River - 3/4 mile tail water fishery flowing from Brassua Lake into Moosehead Lake. A tailwater fishery.
Roach River - 6 miles of catch and release water on Maine State land protected from development. Flowing from First Roach Pond through very remote country till it dumps into Spencer Bay on Moosehead Lake. A very small river that provides the opportunity to catch nice salmon and brook trout on 3 or 4 weight rods. What could be better. Fly Fishing Only
West Branch of the Penobscot - On of the finest landlock salmon river in the northeast. All native fish that will grow to trophy size. Big water that holds big fish. Catch and release section, Fly Fishing Only. A tailwater fishery.
Most any stream will provide wild brook trout fishing. Take a walk back a bit away from the road past the foot prints and you may be pleasantly surprised. Find a beaver flowage and pan size trout action could last all day.
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There are countless trout ponds in the region. Some are easy access from the roads while others are remote hike in ponds that are perfect for the float tube fisherman. Mostly providing action from native book trout. A good map is a must. The Maine Atlas & Gazetteer by DeLorme Publishing is your ticket to locating Maine's remote ponds.
Special regulations put in place a number of years ago insured quality trout fishing in our remote ponds will last.
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For water flow information and daily dam releases on the Penobscot River drainage in the Moosehead Lake Region call (207) 723-2328 For: McKay Station, Seboomook Dam, Caucomgomoc Dam, Canada Falls Dam.
For water flow information and daily dam releases on the Kennebec River drainage in the Moosehead Lake Region call 800-557-3569
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As always we at the Maine Guide Fly Shop are very knowledgeable in the way's of the salmon, trout, & bass. We will do all we can to help in any way we can.
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