10 of the Very Best Places to Cast for Trout & Salmon in Maine

It is no exaggeration to say that Maine is one of the best places not only in the United States but also in the world for angling. The downright hugeness of the state, the plethora of waterways and waterbodies—from the myriad ponds of the North Maine Woods to the cuts and inlets of the long, lovely coastline—and the reigning wildness of this place, with relatively unpolluted aquatic ecosystems as compared to many parts of the country, help add up to a spectacular opportunity for fishermen and women. And that’s true all year round, from huddling (happily) in an ice hut during the midwinter hush to prowling reedy lakeshores and murmuring riffles in the height of summer.

Whether you reach for flies as your go-to or are a devoted spin caster, Maine’s lakes, ponds, and rivers offer absolutely outstanding opportunities for hauling in trout and salmon. Indeed, without question, Vacationland is in the very top ranks when it comes to landlocked Atlantic salmon—a unique form—as well as the nation’s finest stocks of wild brook trout, not to mention a slew of other gamefish species. Here are 10 of the very best places to try your luck against these magnificent—and wily!—finned beauties.

(1) Moosehead Lake

Enormous Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in the entire state, is one of Maine’s natural wonders—and an absolutely world-class fishing destination. Some 40 miles long and 20 miles wide, covering 75,000 or so acres, this island-peppered freshwater kingdom is a fabulous place to cast a line, with abundant stocks of landlocked salmon as well as brook trout and lakers (aka togues). The exceptional angling extends to associated drainages such as the Moose and Roach rivers, not to mention the fabled East Outlet of the Kennebec, one of the best places anywhere to go for salmon and brookies.

Greenville and other hamlets provide perfect jumping-off points for fishing safaris on Moosehead and its streams.

(2) Rapid River

Staggered (as its name suggests) with whitewater along a short but lively course linking Lower Richardson and Umbagog lakes, strung with slackwater hotspots such as Pond-in-the-River and Long Pool, the Rapid is another legendary waterway for landlocked salmon and brook trout.

Indeed, as Bob Mallard puts it in Squaretail: The Definitive Guide to Brook Trout & Where to Find Them, the Rapid is “the finest self-sustaining trophy native brook trout river in Maine and, in fact, the United States.” High praise, we’d say, and more than enough reason for anyone of the angling persuasion to seek this flow out.

(3) Kennebago Lake

Covering some 1,700 acres, Kennebago Lake and its outlet river rank as the largest fly-fishing-only waterbody in the eastern U.S. A stock of quite hefty smelt helps fuel the resident landlocked salmon—smelt’s just about their favorite nosh, mind you—and meanwhile, brook trout are also nicely represented. You also might land a brown trout or two on Kennebago…

(4) Grand Lake Stream

Part of the unique home ground of Atlantic landlocked salmon, Grand Lake Stream, which drains West Grand Lake, is also a very productive place to target brook trout. It’s only open to fly fishing, which just amps up its appeal for many.

(5) Allagash Lake

This gorgeous and deliciously secluded 4,360-acre lake is part of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, one of Maine’s great treasures. The diverse habitat of Allagash Lake, which ranges from shallow sandy flats to rocky ledges, supports a rich coldwater fishery anchored by lake trout (togue) and brookies.

(5) Saco River

Rising at Crawford Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and flowing more than 130 freestone miles into Saco Bay on the sandy coastline of Southern Maine, the Saco River is another of Maine’s stellar fishing destinations, notable for its hulking brown trout as well as brook and rainbow trout (not to mention striped bass in the estuarine portion).

(6) Penobscot River

Among the longest rivers in Maine—indeed, the longest one entirely within the state—the Penobscot is a legendary place to fish for landlocked salmon as well as brook and brown trout. Its varied mosaic of aquatic settings, from quiet pools and gentle shoals to roaring rapids and cascades, composes one heck of a coldwater fishery.

(7) Kennebec River

Emptying out of the aforementioned Moosehead Lake, the Kennebec River drains a watershed nearly 6,000 square miles across. It supports quite the varied roster of game fish, landlocked salmon as well as introduced Coho salmon, plus brown, brook, rainbow, and lake trout.

(8) Sebago Lake

Huge Sebago Lake, which is the deepest in Maine, ranks as ancestral waters for Atlantic landlocked salmon, which makes for an extra-special place to cast for these wonderful fish. This southwestern Maine lake also supports brown, brook, and lake trout.

(9) Nesowadnehunk Lake & Stream

One of the liquid linchpins of the sprawling Baxter State Park country—right up there among New England’s greatest wilderness playgrounds—Nesowadnehunk Lake is another of the largest lakes in the East restricted to fly fishing only. It and its affiliated waterbodies—including Little Nesowadnehunk Lake and the Nesowadnehunk Stream—come well endowed with landlocked salmon as well as brook trout.

(10) Eagle Lake

Acadia National Park offers abundant fishing opportunities, including for salmon and trout. One of the best destinations on Mount Desert Island is Eagle Lake, the deep and cold waters of which play host to landlocked salmon as well as brook trout and lake trout.

The Joys of Trout & Salmon Fishing in the Pine Tree State

A not-insignificant benefit of going fishing for trout and/or landlocked salmon in Maine is the sheer enjoyment of the Vacationland waterways these fish call home, from easily accessible lakes to deliciously remote brooks and ponds deep in New England’s greatest backcountry. Whether along the serene Midcoast or far out in the back of beyond in the North Maine Woods, angling just doesn’t get any better than the Maine variety!