Bass Fishing & Bass Lakes In Maine

Guide to fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass.

By Rick Seaman

Lots of places to fish for bass in Maine. Private bonds, rivers and small lakes are quite likely to contain bass. Visit the Bass Knowledge Center for valuable information about bass and bass fishing.

Maine offers quality bass fishing opportunities for anglers seeking both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The state is home to numerous lakes, rivers, and ponds, providing excellent habitats for these two popular bass species.

Largemouth bass can be found in many of Maine's warm-water lakes and ponds, particularly in the southern and central regions of the state. Popular destinations for largemouth bass fishing include Sebago Lake, Messalonskee Lake, and Cobbosseecontee Lake. Anglers often use a variety of lures and baits, such as plastic worms, jigs, and topwater lures, to entice these hard-fighting fish.

On the other hand, smallmouth bass are widely distributed throughout Maine's cool and clear lakes, rivers, and streams. They thrive in water bodies such as the Penobscot River, Kennebec River, and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The Rangeley Lakes and Moosehead Lake regions are also popular for smallmouth bass fishing. Anglers typically use crankbaits, jerkbaits, and soft plastics to target these aggressive and acrobatic fish.

Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be caught from spring through fall, with the peak fishing season usually in late spring and early summer. As the water warms up, bass become more active and move into shallower areas to feed, making them more accessible to anglers.

Maine's bass fisheries are carefully managed to ensure sustainability and the preservation of the state's natural resources. Anglers are encouraged to practice catch and release and follow local fishing regulations to help maintain healthy bass populations for future generations of anglers to enjoy.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Maine

Larger bodies of water like Androscoggin Lake, Baskahegan Lake, Big Lake, China Lake, Cobbosseecontee Lake, Damariscotta Lake, East Grand Lake, Gardner Lake, Graham Lake, Great Pond, Long Lake, Mattawamkeag Lake, Meddybemps Lake, Messalonskee Lake, Moosehead Lake, Pushaw Lake, Sebasticook Lake, Sebago Lake, Sebec Lake, Schoodic Lake, Thompson Lake, Webb Lake and West Grand Lake have healthy populations of bass.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Top 5 Bass Fishing Lures For Maine

When bass are shallow, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and stickbaits are the most productive. As they move deeper, worms and jigs are among the top producers.

Maine State Record Bass

The state record largemouth bass was caught from Moose Pond.

The state record smallmouth bass came from Thompson Lake.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in Maine.

Bass fishing basics video.

Understanding the primary seasonal movements of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is key to locating them on local lakes in the Pine Tree State.

Catch big bass!

Bass fishing information by state.