Fishing Report

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jim Pellerin

Where to fish: While many anglers will be switching over to hunting pursuits in November and December, others that don't hunt or just prefer fishing may have discovered that November and early December in southern Maine still offer some decent fishing opportunities.  Most lakes and ponds remain open to open water fishing, and many receive October stockings of trout for the upcoming ice fishing season.  Check out our stocking report for specifics. With favorable water temperatures, salmonids can be found cruising the shorelines and can readily be caught casting from shore. I've already heard some great reports of salmon, brook trout, and splake fishing with fish over 20" being caught for all three species.  Lake trout spawning occurs around Halloween and often goes well into November and fishing shallow shoals can be very effective.  Warm water species are still catchable in the fall, but you'll have to change your tactics and locations/depths for some species (i.e., bass).  While most rivers close at the end of September, several rivers or river segments remain open for some late season fishing, and many are also stocked or restocked in the fall.  The Androscoggin River, Presumpscot River, and Saco Rivers are open to year-round angling, while sections of the Little Androscoggin, Mousam, and Royal Rivers remain open. Most of the dam tail races are good places to start. New fall stockings began on the Little Androscoggin River this year and have been well received with some great fishing reports. For fly anglers, nymphing works well on the rivers this time of year.  Be sure to check the fishing lawbook for details on specific waters.

Notes:  The Little Androscoggin River access site at Hackett Mills has been posted "No Trespassing" due to dam repairs that the hydropower company views as a safety hazard.  As soon as repairs are completed anglers will be able to access the site, projected date for project completion is December 2024.

Tips: It's a good time of year to explore Maine's sea-run brown trout opportunities.  Try the Mousam, Ogunquit, and Royal Rivers. Learn how to ID a salmon or brown trout.

Reminders: Be careful, late fall fishing means cold-water and sometimes slippery conditions with frost,  ice, or snow.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jason Seiders

Fall Salmon Waters: This is a great time to hit some central Maine waters for landlocked Atlantic salmon. The fish are beautiful this time of year and we've seen some beauties in some local lakes. Most of these waters will have special regulations in the fall; typically, artificial lures only and catch and release on trout and salmon. We've collected some beautiful salmon in some of these waters recently, some up to 5 pounds! Some local waters to try include:

• Maranacook Lake
• Lower Narrows Pond
• Echo Lake (Fayette)
• Lake St. George

The Belgrade Lakes and Messalonskee Stream: Anglers looking for an opportunity to catch some large and beautiful trout should look to the Belgrade Lakes. Great Pond, Long Pond, and Messalonskee Lake all produce some beautiful brown trout, some real wall hangers can be found in these waters. You can choose to fish from a boat or fish from shore below one of several outlet dams. Central Maine anglers should give Messalonskee Stream a try as well. Winding its way through Oakland and Waterville, Messalonskee Stream is open to year-round fishing, and it gets stocked with good numbers of trout. Additionally, lucky anglers might find some brown trout or rainbow trout that drop down from the Belgrade Lakes.

Fishing Tip: Water temperatures are cooling down. Slow down your bait or lure presentation a little, especially if you're going for warm water fish like bass or perch. Trout and salmon are very active this time of year and it's a great time to fish for those species. Many folks turn their attention to hunting season, meaning you can have some prime fishing water all to yourself!

Reminder: Since it is hunting season, it's a good idea to wear some hunter orange while you're fishing. It's not going to scare your fish away, and it's better to be safe and let hunters know where you are! Good luck and be safe!

From Fisheries Resource Biologist Jacob Scoville

If you procrastinate winterizing your boat these next few months, you might as well take some last-minute fishing trips. The Downeast region still has many waters open to fishing for various species.

Where to Fish:
This is still a good time of year to target brown trout in lakes Downeast. Fishing some freshly stocked brook trout ponds will also let you scratch the itch if you want to fish. Simpson Pond in Roque Bluffs, Walker Pond in Brooksville, and Pennamaquan Lake (and River) in Pembroke are solid choices for late-season brown trout fishing. These waters have the potential for anglers to catch brown trout around 20 inches. If you want to catch some late-season brookies, Ackley Pond in Cutler and Echo Lake in Mount Desert are good bets.

Tip: Fishing in the late fall is a lot like fishing in the early spring. The waters are getting cold, but fish can be active. But it would be best if you matched their energy levels. Warmer weather stretches can make the fish more active, but trolling (or retrieving your casts) should be at slow speeds.

Reminder:

1. If we do happen to get some early and safe ice, many Downeast waters will be open to ice fishing. Lovejoy Pond in T34MD is known for having excellent brook trout fishing for those early ice anglers.
2. Don't procrastinate winterizing that boat and motor for too long! You'll thank me in the spring…

From Fisheries Resource Technician Tyler Grant

In the fisheries world of the Rangeley Lakes Region, November is when our field work goes on a short break.  The nights are frosty and the days are cold, and we wait patiently for ice to form.  For anglers though, there is no reason to put away the rods while waiting for the ice.

Places to go:
Sandy Pond in Embden is a great place to go to find some fall brook trout or brown trout.  This 100-acre, 41-feet-deep stocked fishery is open to open-water and ice fishing in November and December, under a catch and release for salmonids and artificial lure only regulation.  There is a brand new Inland Fisheries and Wildlife owned hand carry access point on the Northeast corner off the Fahi Pond Road that makes getting on the pond easy.  Sandy Pond also has smallmouth bass and pickerel, which can be harvested year-round.

For anglers with kids, there are a couple of great options with fast fishing and easy access.  Tibbetts Pond in Concord TWP is a kids-fishing-only water with two easy access points off Route 16.  The access point at the north of the pond is much less steep and is a good place to bring smaller kids.  Brook trout are stocked in the spring and the fall to provide plenty of action.  Haley Pond in Rangeley is another great place to bring kids.  This 170-acre, 23-foot-deep pond is stocked with brook trout in the spring and the fall and is easily accessed from several locations in Rangeley off Route 4.  Harvey Pond is an often-overlooked pond, which is open to all during open water season, and is a kids only ice fishing water right off Route 4 in Madrid, near Smalls Falls.  It is stocked with brook trout in the spring and the fall and provides an excellent fishery.  All three of these waters are catch and release only in November, but open to ice fishing or open water fishing in December. 

River anglers need not fret, you also have some great options in November and December.  Some portions of the Dead River and the Swift River are open to the end of December for those of you who love picking ice out of your reels.  As always, consult the lawbook to find those places that are open and pay special attention to the tackle and harvest restrictions.  Most places in Western Maine that are open in November and December will have an artificial lure only or fly fishing only as well as catch and release regulation.  A great way to see these regulations clearly on a map is with the Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (F.L.O.A.T.) available on the MDIFW website.

Fishing Tip: Be patient. Fingers and toes are cold this time of year, and so are fish. Slow and steady with plenty of patience will generally bring the best results. This extends to all aspects of your fishing trip. River fisheries in fall can bring great success, but only for those who spend the time to earn them.

Reminder: As we approach the transition between open water and ice fishing, keep safety in mind.  With days in the high 50's and nights below freezing, the water temperature is very cold.  Wear your PFD.  Don't just throw it in the boat with you.  As lakes begin to freeze, keep in mind that just because a waterbody is open to ice fishing, doesn't mean the ice is safe.  Use common sense, check the ice thickness, fish with a buddy, wear a PFD if you want.  Take it seriously, and you'll enjoy your fall fishing trip.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Tim Obrey

There are just a few spots to open water fish this late in the year in the Moosehead Lake Region. The East and West Outlets are perennial favorites. The section of the East Outlet to the Beach Pool is open all year as well as the West Outlet. Anglers can expect to find salmon and stocked brook trout in both locations. Another sleeper this year is the Piscataquis River in the Dover-Foxcroft area. The river was stocked in mid-October with some very nice brook trout. The water has remained low, so these fish are likely still hanging around. The fishing regulations include artificial lures only with a two fish limit. Anglers should try near the stocking sites at the Brown's Mill Park area or the new dock behind The Mill.

Good luck and let's hope for some cold weather soon so we can begin hardwater fishing!

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Kevin Dunham

With the recent mild temperatures, it's hard to believe November is upon us. The winter's heat has been cut, split, and stacked; the freezer contains a limit of partridge and will soon be full of deer meat; leaves have been raked, windows washed, and clocks turned back.

Now what? Go fishing!  There are many waters throughout the state which remain open to fishing year-round and the Penobscot Region provides plenty of opportunity.

Places to Go:
Flatiron Pond in Cedar Lake Township is a water which remains open for year-round fishing (and harvest) and has good populations of white perch and fall-stocked brook trout. 
Another Penobscot Region water which remains open to angling and harvest all year is Millinocket Stream (T1 R8 WELS). Brook trout are stocked each fall (13" avg. length) leading to some excellent late season trout fishing in Millinocket Stream. The stream is easily accessed, easily wade-able, and you can harvest two brook trout daily.

Hay Lake in T6 R8 WELS as well as Upper Cold Stream Pond in Lincoln both remain open to late season angling. Hay Lake is open from October1 – November 30, and Upper Cold Stream Pond remains open through December 31. During this late season opportunity both waterbodies are restricted to the use of Artificial Lures Only and all trout, landlocked salmon, and togue caught must be released alive at once.

Fishing tip: Fall fishing success can often be improved by trying bright colored flies or lures to attract a fish's attention. Also keep in mind salmon and brook trout will be cruising shallower water along shorelines and around inlets in preparation for spawning season.

Reminder: As always, if you plan on doing some late-season fishing be sure to check the 2024 Maine Fishing Law book as regulations differ between the North and South Zones with many of the north waters, if open to fall fishing, being restricted to fishing with artificial lures only and "catch and release" of salmonids.

From Fisheries Resource Supervisor Frank Frost

Where to Fish: Northern Maine this late in the year varies from an occasional warm day to full on winter with lots of snow and ice.  Most people have transitioned to hunting seasons with little regard for angling opportunities.  However, a few waters remain open to open water fishing and some are open to early ice fishing as soon ice is safe enough.  Generally, if a water is stocked with brook trout, it has a late season and the rulebook will specifically state this.  The typical language is "From October 1 - November 30: ALO (Artificial lures only), S-7 (All trout, landlocked salmon, and togue caught must be released alive at once)".  Examples of these waters are:  Daigle Pond, New Canada; Hanson Brook Lake, Presque Isle; and Carry Lake, Littleton. 

Flowing water opportunities are limited in northern Maine.  This fall has been very dry so our rivers are at very low flows for early November.  Two of our most prominent rivers open to year round fishing are the Fish River Thoroughfare in Eagle Lake, Winterville and T16R6 WELS and the Fish River in Fort Kent downstream of Fish River Falls.  Both have brook trout and landlocked salmon; the Fort Kent stretch also has muskellunge which have an open season for harvest year round.  Given the low water conditions, angling success this fall should be very good. 

As colder temperatures arrive in December, we have some waters that are open to ice fishing as soon as ice forms.  A few examples of these are:  Scopan Lake, Masardis and Ashland; Arnold Brook Lake, Presque Isle; and Long Lake, St. Agatha (open to fishing for smelt from the time ice forms until April 30); and Trafton Lake, Limestone.  One tip when fishing these waters on early ice is that live baitfish being sold at local bait shops will be very hard to find; anglers should pursue trapping their own bait or use worms/crawlers which should be readily available at bait shops in December.

Reminder: One reminder for anglers fishing the Fish River Thoroughfare connecting St. Froid and Eagle Lakes (mentioned above) – we are encouraging the harvest of salmon which is allowed year-round in an attempt to reduce the salmon population at Eagle and St. Froid Lakes.  Salmon along with lake trout (togue) compete for rainbow smelt, a common forage fish for both species.  Anglers also seek out smelt in the winter while jigging in small shacks placed on the ice.  Reducing the salmon population at these lakes will help us manage the balance between all of these competing uses.