| 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
If you have information, articles or photos relating to trout
which you would like to see published here, please submit them for
consideration. We will gladly give you credit for your contribution.
If you have a fishing related business and would like to mention
it within the context of the article, we will consider your request.
For significant contributions we may offer complimentary display
ads, please contact us if you are interested.
If you offer fishing guide services we would
like to include you as a resource for our visitors. We offer a
complimentary listing for your guide service on our Maine
Fishing Guides page or you can see other options to promote
your trout fishing guide services in Maine by visiting our Advertising
opportunities section.
The states list to the left can direct you to information about
trout in other states.
All About Fishing for Trout in Maine. |