Trout Fishing in Maine

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Maine

With all the clear cold water in Maine, it's no wonder that you can find trout in most waters. Virtually all streams and rivers contain trout. Major lakes with a healthy trout population include Allagash Lake, Androscoggin Lake, Aziscohos Lake, Baskahegan Lake, Chamberlain Lake, Chesuncook Lake, Damariscotta Lake, Eagle Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Grand Lake, Grand Lake Matagamon, Great Pond, Lobster Lake, Long Lake Harrison-Naples, Mattawamkeag Lake, Meddybemps Lake, Millinocket Lake, Moosehead Lake, Mooselookmeguntic Lake, Munsungan Lake, Pemadumcook Lakes, Portage Lake, Rangeley Lake, Richardson Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake, Square Lake, St Froid Lake, Thompson Lake, Umabog Lake and West Grand Lake.

Visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife website for information on trout stocking in Maine.

The Maine state record blueback trout came from Basin Pond. The state record brown and brook trout both came from Square pond. Beech Hill Pond yielded the state record lake trout.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush

The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is also known as Great Lakes trout, Mackinaw trout and salmon trout. It feeds on virtually all forms of flesh which abound in its home waters. Minnows, smelt, eels and any variety of small fishes are part of the lake trout's diet. It's rich flaky flesh makes it a tasty table favorite.

In early spring these fish can be taken in the lake shallows on dry flies, wet flies and other slow moving presentations. Once the surface waters warm the lake trout retreats to deep water where trolling with heavy tackle is the preferred method. Spoons and baitfish imitating lures worked near the bottom provide the best results. As summer warms the water, cowbells and other flashing devices trolled deep often can get you to the depth where the lake trout stalk.

Organizations & Resources

Cutthroat Trout Conservation
DMOZ Trout Section

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The states list to the left can direct you to information about trout in other states.

All About Fishing for Trout in Maine.

14 lbs - 8 oz

9 lbs - 0 oz

52 to 64 Degrees

Prefers clear cold water with moderate current over gravel, rocks or sand.

40 lbs - 4 oz

23 lbs - 5 oz

56 - 64 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained cool water with minimum current over rock or sandy bottoms with heavy cover.

72 lbs - 0 oz

31 lbs - 8 oz

52 - 68 Degrees

Prefers clear to slightly stained water with significant depths and sandy bottoms in the shallows.