The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife periodically prepares fishing reports in order to better inform the public about conditions and opportunities on the state’s inland waters. Here’s the most recent report:
Moosehead Region
In the Moosehead Lake Region, it’s prime time for fishing.
“They just dropped the flow at the East Outlet this week after a week of high flows, so that should draw plenty of salmon into the river,” said DIF&W fisheries biologist Tim Obrey. “This is one of our best river fisheries in the spring and fall, and now is a good time to try it.”
On the other side of the lake, the gates on the Roach River are open. It is flowing at 200 cubic feet per second, which is normal for this time of year, with another bump in flows Sept. 15. How big a bump depends on how much water is in First Roach. Look for brook trout to head into the river first, followed by a charge of salmon. Next week should be fantastic.
If you are looking for a bit of an adventure, head out to the West Branch of the Penobscot below Seboomook. Flows are running about 750 cubic feet per second, which is a good flow to fish the area known as the “Foxhole.” Chesuncook salmon travel to this section of the river in September.
“It is a unique fishing experience. Many anglers will canoe down the river several miles and stay in the maintained campsites,” said Obrey. “There’s nothing like waking up on the fog covered Penobscot River and slipping your canoe out into a salmon pool before breakfast. If you enjoy fly-fishing for salmon, you need to make this trip.”
Penobscot Region
If you are looking for a place to go brook trout fishing, now is a great time to be in the Penobscot/Katahdin region.
“Most of our better brook trout waters are in Baxter Park. A lot of those are wild populations like Sourdnahunk, Katahdin, Daicy and Lower Fowler,” said DIF&W fisheries biologist Nels Kramer. “Most of the ponds are fly fishing only, no live fish as bait, and the season ends on Sept. 30. There are some significant large fish in these ponds.”
If you are looking for some late season fishing, try Abol, Billfish, Celia, Draper or Rocky Pond (T2 R9). Outside the park, you should try Island Pond, Wapiti, Davis and Lunksoos, which have an extended fall season.
If you’d rather fish the rivers, the East Branch of the Penobscot offers some great opportunities in the fall. There are wild brook trout and landlocks. The Mattawamkeag also offers some excellent fishing this time of year.
Of course, there really is no bad time for smallmouth bass in the Penobscot, and late season, Lower Togue Pond in T2 R9 offers excellent opportunities for splake. As always, check your lawbook before heading out on the water.
Aroostook Region
Cold weather has already hit much of the Aroostook region, with frost covering some fields earlier this week.
“Right now, the rivers and streams are at pretty low flows,” said DIF&W fisheries biologist Frank Frost. “As the fall rains start, fishing should pick up.”
This time of year, the upper and lower sections of the Aroostook are productive, and the Fish River downstream of Eagle Lake is a popular spot for salmon. The rehabilitated portion of the Meduxnekeag River, where river habitat was improved, should also provide anglers with some great opportunities.
There also are several areas where the department stocks trout, check the law book for waters with extended fall fishing seasons into October and November, and those areas are likely stocked with trout in the fall. Waters to try should include Arnold Brook Lake in Presque Isle, Drews Lake in New Limerick and Nickerson Lake outside of Houlton.
Down East
Anglers are still boating a good number of togue and salmon in the region, as the water is still stratified with a defined thermocline in many of the region’s lakes.
“There’s still some very good fishing to be had,” says DIF&W fisheries biologist Greg Burr. “It’s a beautiful time of year to be out on the water. Temperatures are getting cooler, and there’s not as much boating activity.”
Along with salmon and togue, some anglers are still catching a good number of white perch. Anglers can find them in deeper water, schooled up. With surface water temps still in the low 70s, bass anglers are still recording good numbers of catches.
Of course, if it’s fall salmon fishing you are thinking, most anglers think of Grand Lake Stream. As the water temps begin to cool down, salmon start moving into the river, setting the stage for some fantastic fly fishing.
“October can be fantastic in this region, I highly recommend getting out and fishing this time of year,” said Burr.