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Home > Laws and Rules > Fishing > Open Water Fishing Laws and Rules > Penobscot County

Penobscot County

See general law fishing provisions.

Exceptions below - Special Rules (S-Codes) are listed at the bottom of this page.

Ackley Pond, Mount Chase. S-24.

Aroostook River. (See Aroostook County).

Back Settlement Pond, Mattawamkeag. S-24.

Baxter State Park. (See regulations under Piscataquis County).

Ben Annis Pond, Hermon. S-24.

Birch and East Branch Birch Streams, Argyle Township. S-26.

Blackman Stream. (See special regulations listed under Penobscot River).

Bog Pond, T3 R9 NWP. S-24.

Bottle Lake, Lakeview Plantation. S-24.

Branch Lake, East, T3 R9 NWP. S-26.

Branch Lake, South, Seboeis Plantation, T2 R8 NWP. S-24.

Brann’s Mill Pond, Garland. (See Piscataquis County).

Brewer Lake, Orrington, Bucksport, Holden. S-24.

Brooks Pond, Corinna. S-24.

Cambolasse Pond, Lincoln. S-24.

Caribou, Egg and Long Ponds, Lincoln. S-24.

Cedar Lake, T3 R9 NWP. S-19, S-24.

Center Pond, Dixmont. S-24.

Chemo Pond, Bradley, Clifton, etc. S-24.

Cold Stream, Enfield. From the highway bridge on State Route 188 in Enfield to the red posts by the old hatchery fishway, fishing restricted to persons under 16 years of age and complimentary license holders. Open to fishing from October 1 to October 15; S-6. Maximum length on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches.

Cold Stream Pond, Enfield. S-2, S-3, S-13. Daily limit on landlocked salmon: 1 fish; trout: 2 fish; togue: 5 fish. Minimum length limit on togue: 14 inches. 8 fish aggregate (1 landlocked salmon, 5 togue, 2 brook trout).

Cold Stream Ponds, Upper, Lincoln. S-13, S-19. (Upper portion known locally as “The Little Narrows”: S-3).

Crooked Pond, Lincoln. S-24.

Cut Lake, T7 R6 WELS. S-24.

Davidson Pond, Herseytown Plantation. S-24.

Dolby Pond, TA R7 WELS, etc. S-24.

Duck Lake, Lakeville Plantation. S-24.

Eaton Brook. (See special regulations listed under Penobscot River).

Eddington Pond, Eddington. S-24.

Egg Pond, Lee. S-24.

Endless Lake, T3 R9 NWP. S-17, S-24.

Escutasis Lake, Lowell, Burlington. S-24.

Escutasis Lake, Little, Burlington. S-24.

Etna Pond, Etna, etc. S-24.

Felts Brook (See special regulations listed under
Penobscot River).

Fields Pond, Orrington. S-24.

Fitts Pond, Clifton. S-18, S-24.

Flatiron Pond, T3 R9 NWP. S-24.

Folsom Pond, Lincoln. S-24.

Garland Pond, Garland. S-24.

Garland Pond, West, Garland. S-19, S-24.

George Pond, Hermon. S-24.

Georges Pond, Holden. S-24.

Giles Pond, Patten. S-11.

Gould Pond, Dexter. S-24.

Grand Lake, Seboeis. T7 R7 WELS. S-24.

Great Works Stream. (See special regulations listed under Penobscot River).

Green Pond. T3 R1 NBPP. S-24.

Green Mountain Pond, T6 R6 WELS. S-5, S-17.

Gristmill Pond, Lowell. S-24.

Hammond Pond, Hampden. S-24.

Hatcase Pond, Dedham. (See Hancock County).

Hathorn Pond, T4 R8 WELS. S-4.

Hathorne Pond, Little, T4 R8 WELS. S-4.

Hay Lake, T6 R8 WELS. S-19, S-24.

Hay Pond, T6 R8 WELS. S-4.

Hemlock Stream, Argyle Township. S-26.

Hermon Pond, Hermon. S-24.

Holbrook Pond, Holden. S-24.

Holland Pond, Alton. S-24.

Hopkins Pond, Mariaville. (See Hancock County).

Horseshoe Lake, Lakeville Plantation, T5 R1 NBPP. S-24.

Hot Lake, T6 R7 WELS. S-24.

Ireland Pond, T7 R8 WELS. S-6, S-18, S-24.

Jerry Pond, T5 R7 WELS. S-17.

Jerry Pond and tributaries and outlet to barrier dam, Millinocket, etc. S-4, S-24. Motorboats prohibited.

Johnny Ayers Brook, T2 R9 NWP. S-26.

Johnny Mack Brook, Orono. Fishing restricted to persons under 16 years of age.

JoMary Lake, Middle, T4 IP. S-24.

JoMary Lake, Upper and tributaries, TA R10, etc. (See Piscataquis County).

Jones Pond, T7 R8 WELS, T8 R8 WELS. S-24.

Junior Lake, T5 R1 NBPP. S-24.

Katahdin Lake, T3 R8 WELS. S-4, S-17.

Keg Lake, Lakeville Plantation. S-24.

Kenduskeag Stream. From its origin in Corinth downstream to the head of tide (Harlow Street Bridge in Bangor): S-13. See exceptions below.

From Route 15 downstream to the Harlow Street Bridge:

  • April 1 to June 30: S-13, S-19. Minimum length limit on trout: 8 inches. Maximum length on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches.
  • July 1 to September 15: Closed to all fishing
  • September 16 to October 15: S-6, S-13, S-19. Minimum length limit on trout: 8 inches. Maximum length limit on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches.
  • From the Harlow Street Bridge downstream to the Maine Central Railroad Bridge in Bangor: closed to all fishing after July 15 (Marine Resources Rule).

Lincoln Pond, T4 IP. S-24.

Lombard Lake, Lakeville Plantation. S-24.

Lost Pond, T7 R7 WELS. S-4, S-17.

Lowell Lake, Carroll Plantation, Springfield. S-24.

Lunksoos Lake, T4 R7 WELS. S-24.

Madagascal Ponds, Big and Little, T3 R1 NBPP, Burlington. S-24.

Matagamon Lake, Grand (First Lake), T6 R8 WELS. S-26.

Mattagodus Stream, south of Route 6. Fishing restricted to persons under 16 years of age and complimentary license holders. S-19.

Mattakeunk Lake, Lee. S-19, S-24.

Mattamiscontis Lake, Little Mattamiscontis Lake and Mattamiscontis Stream, T2 R9 & T3 R9 NWP. S-26.

Mattanawcook Pond, Lincoln. S-24.

Mattawamkeag River, Haynesville, Weston, Bancroft, Reed Plt., Drew Plt., Kingman Twp. From the Route 171 bridge in Reed Plantation, downstream to the Route 170 bridge in Kingman: S-24.

Mattanawcook Pond, Lincoln. S-24.

Mattawamkeag River, Haynesville, Weston, Bancroft, Reed Plt., Drew Plt., Kingman Twp. From the Route 171 bridge in Reed Plantation, downstream to the Route 170 bridge in Kingman: S-24.

Mattawamkeag River. Maximum length limit on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches. From July 1 to September 30: S-5 from red posts located on both shores 100 yards above Big Gordon Brook junction down to red posts located 100 yards below Little Gordon Brook junction and S-5 from red posts located on both shores 100 yards above Mattakeunk Stream junction down to red posts located 100 yards below Mattakeunk Stream junction.

Merrill Pond, Lee. S-24.

Messer Pond, T5 R8 WELS. S-4.

Mill Privilege Lake, T5 R1 NBPP, Carroll Plantation. S-26.

Mill Pond, Lee. S-24.

Mill Stream, Dexter, (outlet of Little Wassookeag Lake). From the dam on Little Wassookeag to the downstream side of the Liberty Street Bridge: S-11.

Millimagassett Lake, T7 R8 WELS. S-16.

Millinocket Lake, T1 R8 WELS, etc.S-2, S-3, S-13, S-24.

Millinocket Stream, T1 R8 WELS, T3 IP. From Millinocket Lake Dam downstream to Millinocket Town Line: Open to fishing from January 1 to December 31: S-19.

Millinocket Stream (including Round Pond) and tributaries. From Millinocket Lake in T7 R9 WELS downstream to the confluence with Munsungan Stream in T8 R8 WELS, including all tributaries upstream to the first road crossing: S-6, S-17; All salmon caught must be released alive at once. From August 16 to September 30: Total daily bag limit on trout and togue: 1 fish.

Moose Pond, T3 R8 WELS. S-4.

Mooseleuk Stream. (See Piscataquis County).

Morrell Pond, T7 R8 WELS. S-24.

Mountain Brook, T3 R9 NWP. S-26.

Mountain Catcher Pond and Mountain Catcher Stream, T6 R8 WELS. S-26.

Mower Pond, Corinna. S-24.

Mud Pond, Drew. S-24.

Mud Pond, Old Town. S-24.

Munsungan Stream and tributaries. (See Piscataquis County).

Nokomis Pond, Newport. S-24. Motorboats with internal combustion engines prohibited.

Nollesemic Lake, Long A Township, T3 R9 NWP. S-24.

Norway Lake, T5 R1 NBPP. S-24.

Number Three Pond, T3 R1 NBPP, Lee. S-24.

Olamon Pond, Greenfield. S-24.

O’Roake Pond, Sherman. S-11.

Otter Chain Ponds (#’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), Milford. S-24.

Otter Stream, Milford. S-24.

Parks Pond, Clifton. S-24.

Passadumkeag River, East Branch, T3 R1 NBPP. S-26.

Patten Pond, Hampden. S-24.

Peaked Mountain Pond, T4 R7 WELS. S-4.

Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes (includes Pemadumcook, Ambajejus, North and South Twin Lakes, and Elbow Lake), T1 R8 WELS, T4 IP, etc. S-13, S-24.

Penobscot River, Medway-Veazie. (See Fish Consumption Advisory) From the confluence of the East and West Branches of the Penobscot River downstream to Veazie Dam: S-24. Maximum length limit on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches.

  • Mattaseunk Dam to Milford Dam-Gilman Falls Dam in Milford: From October 1 to November 30: S-6. All trout, landlocked salmon, togue, and bass must be released alive at once. The area within 150 feet of any part of the West Enfield Dam, including fishway: Closed to fishing at all times.
  • All tidal waters of the Penobscot River from the Veazie Dam to the downstream side of the Bangor Water District pipeline crossing, located approximately 3100 feet downstream of the Veazie Dam and identifi ed by two red posts on either side of the Penobscot River in Eddington and Veazie: Closed from June 1 to October 30 (Marine Resources Rule).

The following areas are closed to fishing for all species from July 1 to September 30.

  • Felts Brook from the downstream side of Route 9 in Brewer to the head of tide. In addition, the Dept. of Marine Resources has closed an area from the head of tide in Brewer downstream to the Penobscot River on the easterly side of a straight line drawn from a red painted rock situated on the downriver side of the mouth of Felts Brook to a red painted marker on the Bangor Dam fishway situated on the upriver side of the mouth of Felts Brook.
  • Eaton Brook from the downstream side of Route 9 in Brewer to the head of tide. In addition, the Dept. of Marine Resources has closed an area from the head of tide in Brewer to the Penobscot River, and the Penobscot River within 250 feet of a red painted marker situated on the downriver side of the mouth of Eaton Brook.
  • Meadow Brook in Bangor and in the Penobscot River within a 250 foot radius of the Maine Central Railroad Bridge abutments at the mouth of Meadow Brook (Marine Resources Rule).
  • Blackman Stream from the downstream side of the Route 178 bridge in Bradley to the Penobscot River, and the Penobscot River within 500 feet of a red painted marker situated on the downriver side of the mouth of Blackman Stream.
  • Great Works Stream from the downstream side of the Route178 bridge in Bradley to the Penobscot River, and the Penobscot River within 500 feet of a red painted marker situated on the downriver side of the mouth of Great Works Stream.

Penobscot River, East Branch. Maximum length limit on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches. From Matagamon Dam to the downstream side of Whetstone Bridge, Big and Little Spring Brooks, and all other tributaries upstream to the first road crossing: S-6; minimum length limit on landlocked salmon: 10 inches; S-13, S-17. The area within 150 feet of the Matagamon Dam is closed to all fishing. (Also see Piscataquis County).

Penobscot River, West Branch, Medway dam to the confluence of East and West Branches in Medway, Medway. Maximum length limit on landlocked salmon and brown trout: 25 inches. S-24. The area within 150 feet of any part of the Medway Dam, including the powerhouse: closed to fishing at all time.

Pickerel Pond, Alton. S-24.

Pickett Pond, T6 R6 WELS. S-17.

Piscataquis River, Maxfield, Howland. (See Piscataquis County).

Pleasant Lake, Stetson. S-24.

Pleasant and Mud Lakes, T6 R6 WELS. S-17.

Plymouth Pond, Plymouth. S-24.

Pond Farm Pond, Howland. S-24.

Puffers Pond (Echo Lake) and tributaries and outlet down to barrier dam, Dexter. S-13, S-19, S-24.

Pug Lake, T5R1. (See Washington County).

Pug Lakes, Upper and Lower, Lakeville Plantation. S-24.

Pushaw Lake, Glenburn, Old Town etc. S-24.

Pushaw Pond, Little, Hudson. S-24.

Pushaw Stream, Hudson, etc. From the railroad bridge in Hudson downstream to Pushaw Pond and from Pushaw Pond downstream to Stillwater River: S-24.

Quakish Lake and West Branch of the Penobscot River to the dam at North Twin Lake, T3 Indian Purchase. S-24.

Robar Pond, Big, T4 R8 WELS. S-4.

Rocky Brook, Lincoln. S-11.

Rocky Pond, T3 R8 WELS. S-4.

Round Pond, Lee. S-24.

Round (Grey) Pond, Plymouth. S-24.

Round Pond, Little, Lincoln. S-19.

Rush Pond, Herseytown Township. S-24.

Salmon Stream Lake and Little Salmon Stream Lake, T1 R6 WELS. S-24.

Sam Ayers Stream, T2 R9 NWP. S-26.

Saponac Pond, Grand Falls Township, Burlington. S-24.

Sawtelle Deadwater, T6 R7 WELS. S-19.

Scraggley Lake, T5 R1 NBPP. S-24.

Scraggly Lake, T7 R8 WELS. S-19, S-24. Daily bag limit on landlocked salmon: 3 fish. Minimum length limit on landlocked salmon: 12 inches.

Sebasticook Lake, Newport. S-24.

Sebasticook River, East Branch, Newport, Plymouth, Detroit. S-19, S-24.

Seboeis River, T5 R7 WELS, etc. From the upstream side of the Grand Lake Road bridge to the confluence with the East Branch of the Penobscot River: S-6; minimum length limit on landlocked salmon: 10 inches; S-17.

Seboeis Stream, Howland. S-24.

Seboeis Stream, East Branch, T3 R9 NWP. S-26.

Shaw Lake, T5 R1. S-24.

Shin Pond, Lower, Mt. Chase Plantation, etc. S-13, S-24. Daily bag limit on landlocked salmon: 3 fish. Length limit on landlocked salmon: 12 inches.

Shin Pond, Upper, Mt. Chase Plantation, T6 R6 WELS.S-2, S-3, S-13.

Silver (Mattakeunk) Lake, Lee. S-24.

Smith Pond, T3 IP. S-24.

Snag (Stump) Pond, Lincoln. No size or bag limit on largemouth bass throughout the open season. Remains open to fishing through November. From October 1 to November 30: all trout, landlocked salmon, togue, and smallmouth bass must be released alive at once.

Snowshoe Lake, T7 R7 WELS. S-24.

Soldier Pond and Little Soldier Pond, T2 R7 WELS. S-24.

Spring Brooks, Big and Little, T4 R8 WELS, etc. Brooks and tributaries: S-6; minimum length limit on landlocked salmon: 10 inches; S-17.

Squirrel Brook, T3 R9 NWP. S-26.

Stream Lake, T1 R6 WELS. S-24.

Swetts (Sweets) Pond, Orrington. S-24.

Sysladobsis Lake, Upper, Lakeville Plantation. S-3, S-24.

Tracy Pond, Hermon. S-24.

Trout Pond, Grand Falls Twp. S-4.

Trout Pond, Lowell. S-19.

Trout Pond, Soldiertown Township. S-4, S-19, S-24.

Unnamed Pond, T3 R8 WELS. S-4.

Upper Pond, Lincoln. S-24.

Wadleigh Pond, T4 Indian Purchase. S-24.

Wapiti Pond, T5 R7 WELS. S-24.

Wassookeag Lake, Dexter. S-2, S-3, S-10, S-19.

Webster Pond, Webster Plantation. S-24.

Weir Pond, Lee. S-19, S-24.

Weymouth Pond, Corinna. S-24.replace

Whitehorse Lake, T7 R7 WELS. S-24.

Wiley Pond, Patten. S-24.

Special Regulations (S-Codes)

Waters that have exceptions to the general law are listed by county. In most cases, the exception will be one of the codes listed below and may affect only a portion of the regulations that govern that particular body of water, i.e. only the bag limit on salmon is different from the general law in which case it would read as follows: Smith Pond, Anytown. S-22. All other provisions of general law would apply.

S-1: Closed to the taking of smelts.

S-2: Closed to the taking of smelts, except by hook and line.

S-3: Tributaries closed to the taking of smelts.

S-4: Use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited. (The use of dead fish, salmon eggs, worms are permitted.

S-5: Fly fishing only.

S-6: Artificial lures only.

S-7: Boundary waters with New Brunswick.

S-8: All trout less than 6 inches and longer than 12 inches must be released alive at once.

S-9: Border waters with New Hampshire.

S-10: Daily bag limit on togue: 1 fish.

S-11: Fishing restricted to persons under 16years of age; daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish.

S-12: No longer used.

S-13: No size or bag limit on bass.

S-14: No bag limit on pickerel. From July 1-September 30, artificial lures only and minimum length limit on trout: 8 inches.

S-15: Daily bag limit on togue: 3 fish; minimum length limit on togue: 14 inches, only one may exceed 18 inches.

S-16: Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish; minimum length limit: 12 inches, only 1 may exceed 14 inches.

S-17: Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish; minimum length limit: 10 inches, only 1 may exceed 12 inches.

S-18: Daily bag limit on trout: 1 fish, minimum length limit 18 inches.

S-19: Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish.

S-20: Daily bag limit on white perch: 25 fish.

S-21: Daily bag limit on trout: 1 fish, minimum length limit 14 inches.

S-22: Daily bag limit on salmon: 1 fish.

S-23: No longer used.

S-24: Extended Season - Remains open to fishing from October 1 - December 31; artificial lures only; all trout, salmon, and togue must be released alive at once.

S-25: Daily bag limit on bass: 2 fish; all bass between 13 and 18 inches must be released alive at once.

S-26: Indian Territory Regulations.

S-27: All fish caught must be released alive at once.

S-28: Togue do not count towards the 5 trout and salmon, in combination, daily aggregate bag limit.