Maine

Vacationland — Brook Trout, Salmon & Smallmouth Paradise

Fishing in Maine

Maine offers pristine fishing in thousands of lakes, ponds, and streams. The state is famous for native brook trout, landlocked salmon, and excellent smallmouth bass fishing.

Tournament Scene

Active smallmouth bass tournament scene. Some trout and salmon events.

Local Tips

Sebago Lake for landlocked salmon. Moosehead Lake for brook trout and lake trout. Belgrade Lakes for smallmouth. Penobscot River for salmon.

Local Circuits

Maine Bass FederationMaine Smallmouth Alliance

Public Access

Extensive public access on thousands of lakes and streams.

Species in Maine

What you can target and when

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

good
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Sebago Lake · Belgrade Lakes · China Lake

SenkoTopwaterJigSpinnerbait
Striped Bass

Striped Bass

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Kennebec River · Penobscot Bay · Casco Bay

Bucktail jigTopwater plugSwimbait

Top Waters in Maine

Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries

Kennebec River

riverPublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

Excellent striper fishing in the tidal sections.

Top Species

Striped BassSmallmouth BassAtlantic Salmon

Best: Summer

Upcoming Tournaments in Maine

47 tournaments found

Smallmouth Bass
Open

Omega Bangor Bass Smackdown

Bangor, Maine
Apr 5, 2026 – Apr 6, 2026
Smallmouth Bass
$125Details
Northern Pike
Charity
2 weeks

Golden Kennebunkport Pike Fiesta

Kennebunkport, Maine
Apr 23, 2026 – Apr 25, 2026
Northern Pike
$400Details
Saltwater

Fall Bar Harbor Drum Battle

Bar Harbor, Maine
Apr 25, 2026 – Apr 26, 2026
Red Drum
$3000Details
Yellowfin Tuna
Saltwater
3 weeks

Liberty Portland Tuna Battle

Portland, Maine
Apr 30, 2026 – May 1, 2026
Yellowfin Tuna
$50Details
Yellowfin Tuna
Saltwater
3 weeks

Heritage Bar Harbor Tuna Battle

Bar Harbor, Maine
May 3, 2026 – May 5, 2026
Yellowfin Tuna
$150Details
Crappie
Open

Regional Bar Harbor Crappie Gauntlet

Bar Harbor, Maine
May 15, 2026 – May 18, 2026
Crappie
$250Details

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

Resident License

Annual Resident: $26.

Non-Resident License

Annual Non-Resident: $64. 15-Day: $47. 7-Day: $43. 3-Day: $23. 1-Day: $11.

Short-Term License

1-Day, 3-Day, 7-Day, and 15-Day licenses available.

Youth & Senior

Free for residents under 16. Reduced for seniors 70+.

Boat Registration

Required for motorized vessels.

Tournament Permit

Permits required for organized events.

Regulations Overview

Complex regulations by water body. Many waters are catch-and-release for trout. Bass regulations vary.

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