Fly Fishing In Maine

September 2, 2010 - 2:35 pm

Maine Extended Season Waters

The information provided here is a result of a review of the 2003 Maine Open Water Fishing Regulations as published by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. FFIM cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information. Before heading to any water to fish, please take the time to look at the latest regulations on the MDIFW website.

The rivers and streams listed below, by county, are all flowing waters that were found to have at least one section with an extended season (i.e. outside of the normal April 1 - September 30) regulation. There are many additional lakes and ponds all over the state extedned open water seasons (e.g. till 10/31 or 11/30). Please review the regulations for lake and pond information as there are too many to list here.

October Waters
November Waters
Year Round Waters

Open thru October (S-23) *

Water	City/Town	Regulation Wording
Androscoggin County
Little Androscoggin River	Oxford, Minot, Poland, Auburn, etc.	From Rt. 26 bridge in Oxford to confluence with Androscoggin River: From April 1 - August 15: S-19. From August 16 - October 31: S-6, S-8.
Aroostook County
Echo Lake and tributaries	Presque Isle	S-4, S-23. Closed to the taking of live bait.
Hale Pond and outlet to Hersey town line	Moro Plantation	S-4, S-18, S-23.
Hanson Brook Lake and tributaries	Mapleton, etc.	Closed to the taking of live bait. S-4, S-23.
Moccasin Pond and tributaries and outlet	T14R8 WELS	From April 1 - October 31: Fly fishing only; all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Spaulding Lake and tributaries	Oakfield	S-1, S-3, S-18, S-23.
Timoney Lake and tributaries	Oakfield, etc.	S-4, S-23. Motorboats over 10 horsepower prohibited.
Cumberland County
Crooked River *	Casco, Naples, Harrison, Otisfield, Waterford, Norway, Albany Township	S-1. From Rt. 11, Casco, Naples, to Rt. 35, North Waterford: April 1 to September 30: S-5; S-22; minimum length limit on salmon: 26 inches. From Bolster's Mill Road bridge downstream to Rt. 11 in Casco: October 1 - October 15, S-5; S-22; minimum length limit on salmon: 26 inches. All other fish caught must be released alive at once.
Pleasant River	Windham	That portion of the Pleasant River from the Route 302 bridge downstream to the River Road bridge: April 1 - October 31: Artificial lures only; all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Franklin County
Beaver Pond and tributaries	Township D	S-4, S-23.
Dead River, South Branch	n/a	From Route 16 bridge in Dallas Plantation to Langtown Mill Bridge: S-23.
Grindstone Pond and tributaries	Kingfield	S-4, S-23.
Rangeley River	Rangeley	S-1. That portion of Rangeley Lake and Rangeley River from two red posts set about 300 feet above the fish screen downstream to the confluence of the Rangeley and Kennebago Rivers: S-5; daily limit: 1 fish. From downstream side of dam on outlet of Rangeley Lake to the confluence of the Rangeley and Kennebago River: Open to fishing in October; fly fishing only; all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Sandy River	n/a	From red posts approximately 1/2 mile downstream of the Rt. 149 bridge in Phillips to the red posts approximately 1/2 mile upstream of the Rt. 145 bridge in Strong: S-6; minimum length limit on brown trout: 14 inches; daily bag limit on brown trout: 1 fish. From Rt. 145 bridge, Strong, downstream to its confluence with the Kennebec River, Starks, Anson: From October 1 to Oct 31, S-5. All fish caught must be released alive at once. (General law applies for the rest of the season).
Hancock County
Jones Pond and tributaries	Gouldsboro	No bag limit on pickerel. S-23.
Long Pond and tributaries	Mt. Desert, Southwest Harbor	S-13, S-22, S-23.
Kennebec County
Jamies (Jimmie) Pond and tributaries	Manchester	S-1, S-23.
Long Pond and tributaries and outlet to Wings Mills Dam	Belgrade, Rome, Mt. Vernon.	S-2, S-3, S-22; minimum length limit on salmon: 16 inches. ALSO, Long Pond and Belgrade Stream, from dam in Belgrade Lakes to Wings Mills Dam: S-23
Pocasset Stream	Wayne	S-23
Sebasticook River	n/a	From Great Moose Pond Dam, Hartland, to the Fort Halifax Dam, Winslow: From August 16 to October 31: Artificial lures only, total daily limit on salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish.
Lincoln County
Medomak River	Waldoboro	That portion from the bridge at Winslows Mills to tidewater: Length limit on brown trout: 12 inches. From August 16 - October 31: S-6, S-8.
Oxford County
Broken Bridge Pond and tributaries	Albany Township	S-1, S-4, S-17, S-23. Closed to the taking of bait.
Clay Pond and outlet to barrier dam	Fryeburg	S-6, S-16, S-23. Motorboats prohibited.
Cushman Pond and tributaries	Sumner	S-4, S-23. Closed to the taking of live bait.
Long Pond and tributaries	Denmark	Opens May 15: S-2, S-3, S-6, S-21, S-23. Closed to fishing from a point at the mouth of brook at head of pond to a point 150 feet down the pond; points to be plainly marked. Motorboats over 6 horsepower prohibited.
Upper Dam Pool,	T4 R1	That area between Mooselookmeguntic Lake dam and a line drawn between the two cribwork piers approximately 800 yards west of said dam: S-1, S-5; Minimum length limit on trout: 12 inches; Minimum length limit on salmon: 18 inches. Total daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish. No motorboats allowed from gates of dam, downstream or westerly 150 yards. Open to fishing October 1 - October 31- fly fishing only; all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Penobscot County
Jerry Pond and tributaries and outlet to barrier dam	Millinocket, etc.	S-4, S-23. Motorboats prohibited.
Millinocket Stream	T3 IP	S-23.
Seboeis Stream	Howland	S-23.
Piscataquis County
Garland Pond and tributaries and outlet downstream to barrier dam	Sebec, Dover-Foxcroft, etc.	S-4, S-23. Motorboats with internal combustion engines prohibited.
Indian Pond and tributaries	T2 R6 BKP EKR, Indian Stream Township, Chase Stream, Sapling.	S-2, S-3, S-11, S-16, S-23. Minimum length limit on bass: 12 inches.
Sebec River	Sebec and Milo.	S-23. From the dam at Rt. 6 to the Piscataquis River: S-19.
Shadow Pond and tributaries	Greenville	S-4, S-19, S-23.
Somerset County
Dead River	n/a	From the outlet of Flagstaff Lake to the confluence with the Kennebec River at The Forks: S-6, S-13, S-23. From Grand Falls to the confluence of Spencer Stream: all trout and salmon must be released alive at once.
Kennebec River	n/a	From Indian Pond dam in T1 R6, Somerset County to the head of (but not including) Wyman Lake in Moscow: S-6, S-13. From the Indian Pond Dam in T1 R6, Somerset County to the Central Maine Power Dam in Skowhegan (EXCLUDING WYMAN LAKE -see separate listing): From April 1 - October 31; Minimum length limit on salmon, rainbow trout, brook trout, lake trout and brown trout: 12 inches; total daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 2 fish. From August 16 - October 31: S-6.
Kennebec River, East Outlet	n/a	From Moosehead Lake downstream to the red markers at Indian Pond, River and tributaries: Open to fishing April 1. Closed to the taking of smelts. From April 1 to April 30: Fly fishing only. All fish caught must be released alive at once. From May 1 - September 30: Fly fishing only; Total daily bag limit for salmon, trout, and togue: 1 fish. Minimum length on trout: 12 inches. Minimum length on togue: 14 inches. Minimum length on salmon: 14 inches. From October 1 - October 31: Fly fishing only, all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Kennebec River, West Outlet	n/a	Opens to fishing April 1. S-19. From August 16 - September 30. S-6. Daily limit: 1 fish. S-23.
Parlin Pond and tributaries upstream to Route 201 and outlet (Parlin Stream), down to the confluence with Bean Brook	Johnson Mountain Township and Parlin Pond Township.	Casting and trolling with artificial flies only. Minimum length limit on salmon: 12 inches. S-17, S-23.
Washington County
Grand Lake Stream *	Grand Lake Stream Plantation, etc.	S-5 from April 1 - October 20, including that portion of the stream adjacent to the hatchery pools. Closed to all fishing within 150 feet of Grand Lake Stream dam. From April 1 - August 15: S-19, S-22; From August 16 - September 30: total daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish. From October 1-October 20, all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Second Lake Old Stream	T37MD	S-23.
York County
Little River	Berwick	April 1 - October 31: From Messenger's Bridge on the Long Swamp Road downstream to the Hubbard Road: S-6; all trout caught must be released alive at once.
Merriland River	Wells	From the northbound lane bridge of the Maine Turnpike to the upstream side of the Rt. 1 bridge - From April 1 - August 15: S-6, S-19, S-21. From August 16 to October 31: S-6; Total daily bag limit for salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish.
Ogunquit River	Wells	From the northbound lane bridge of the Maine Turnpike to the upstream side of the Rt. 1 bridge: From April 1 to August 15: S-6, S-19, S-21; from August 16 to October 31: S-6, S-21; Total daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish.
Little Ossipee River	Newfield and Shapleigh	From the stone dam immediately above Rt. 11 in North Shapleigh downstream to Bridge Street in Newfield, including Davis Brook from the Mann Road downstream to the confluence with the Little Ossipee River: From April 1 - October 31: Artificial lures only; all trout caught must be released alive at once

* Note, Grand Lake Stream closes on October 20. Crooked River closes on October 15.

Open thru November (S-24)

Water	City/Town	Regulation Wording
Androscoggin County
Androscoggin River	All	From the Maine-New Hampshire Border, Gilead, downriver to Route 232 Bridge, Rumford Point: April 1 - August 15: S-6, S-8; minimum length limit on salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout: 12 inches. All trout between 16 and 20 inches must be released alive at once. From August 16 - November 30: S-6; all trout, salmon, togue and bass must be released alive at once. From the Route 232 Bridge, Rumford Point, downriver to tidewater, Brunswick and Topsham: April 1 - September 30: S-19. Minimum length limit on salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout: 12 inches. Daily bag limit on bass: 1 fish between 12 and 15 inches; artificial lures only for bass. From October 1-November 30: all trout, salmon, togue, and bass must be released alive at once.
Cumberland County
Muddy River	n/a	North of Rt. 11/114 bridge to Lake House Road. S-24.
Stickey River	Standish	From Railroad Trestle to Rt. 114, Standish. S-24.
Kennebec County
Belgrade Stream	n/a	Open until November 30. Fishing not restricted to artificial lures. Belgrade Stream from Wings Mills Dam on the outlet of Long Pond in Mt. Vernon to the confluence of the stream with Messalonskee Lake in Belgrade: Minimum length limit on northern pike: 24 inches; Daily limit on northern pike: 2 fish. All trout, salmon, togue and bass must be released alive at once.
Cobbosseecontee Stream	Manchester, Gardiner, etc.	Daily bag limit on bass: 1 fish; minimum length limit 12 inches; all bass between 18 and 23 inches must be released alive at once. S-24.
Messalonskee Stream	Oakland, Waterville	(Above Union Gas Dam).S-24
Knox County
Megunticook River	Camden	S-24
Penobscot County
Otter Stream	Milford	S-24.
Penobscot River	n/a	From the Veazie Dam upstream to I-95 access bridge, Medway: S-24. Mattaseunk Dam to Milford Dam-Gilman Falls Dam: From April 1 - September 30, artificial lures only for bass; daily limit on bass: 1 fish between 12-15 inches. From October 1 - November 30, S-6. All trout, salmon, togue, and bass must be released alive at once.
Pushaw Stream	Hudson	From the railroad bridge in Hudson downstream to Pushaw Pond and from Pushaw Pond downstream to Stillwater River: S-24.
Sebasticook River, East Branch	Newport, Plymouth, Detroit.	S-24
Piscataquis County
Prong Pond and tributaries	Beaver Cove Plantation, Greenville	S-19, S-24.
Washington County
Crooked Brook Flowage	Danforth	S-24.
Grand Falls Flowage	Indian Township, Princeton, etc.	Daily bag limit on white perch: 25 fish. S-15, S-24.

Open Year Round

Water	City/Town	Regulation Wording
Androscoggin County
Androscoggin River	Rumford, Mexico.	From the Route 108 Bridge in Rumford downstream to the Ridlonville Bridge in Mexico: Open water fishing remains open from December 1-March 31: S-19. Minimum length limit on salmon, rainbow trout and brown trout: 12 inches. Daily bag limit on bass: 1 fish between 12 and 15 inches.
Nezinscot River	Turner.	(1) From Turner Mill dam downstream to its confluence with Meadow Brook: S-6; all fish caught must be released alive at once; open to open water fishing for all fish from January 1 - December 31; (2) From its confluence with Meadow Brook downstream to its confluence with the Androscoggin River: Open to open water fishing for all fish from January 1 - December 31: S-19.
Cumberland County
Presumpscot River	Standish, Windham, Gorham, Westbrook.	From the outlet dam at Sebago Lake downstream to tidewater: open to fishing from January 1 through December 31; From the outlet dam at Sebago Lake to confluence with North Gorham Pond: fly fishing only; daily limit on trout and salmon: 1 fish in the aggregate; closed to fishing is that area from the dam at the outlet of Sebago Lake downstream to designated red markers, approximately 100 feet. North Gorham Pond, including the canal and tailrace: daily limit on trout and salmon: 1 fish in the aggregate; From the confluence with North Gorham Pond downstream to tidewater: daily limit on trout: 2 fish.
Royal River	Yarmouth	From Elm Street downstream to tidewater, Yarmouth. Open to open water fishing January 1 - December 31. S-6, S-19, S-21.
Kennebec County
Messalonskee Stream	n/a	Below Union Gas Dam to its confluence with the Kennebec River: Open to open water fishing from January 1 - December 31.
Sebasticook River	Winslow	From Fort Halifax Dam in Winslow to its confluence with the Kennebec River: Open to open water fishing from January 1 - December 31 - Single hooked artificial lures only; daily limit on salmon, rainbow and brown trout: 1 fish; minimum length limit on salmon, rainbow and brown trout: 16 inches.
Knox County
St. George River	Liberty	From St. George Lake, Liberty, downriver to head of tide in Warren: Open to open water fishing from January 1 - December 31: Total daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish; S-21.
Piscataquis County
Piscataquis River	Guilford	From the dam in Guilford downstream to the Atkinson-Sebec bridge (includes tributaries upstream to the first bridge): Guilford, Sangerville, Dover-Foxcroft, Sebec, Atkinson. Open water fishing from January 1-December 31; Artificial lures only; daily bag limit on trout and brown trout: 2 fish in the aggregate. Children 12 years of age and under may fish under the S-4 special regulation.
Somerset County
Kennebec River	n/a	From the Central Maine Power Company Dam in Skowhegan to tidewater (transmission line crossing river in Augusta): Open to open water fishing from Jan 1 - December 31. Minimum length limit on salmon, trout and togue: 12 inches; daily bag limit on salmon, trout and togue: 2 fish in the aggregate.
York County
Great Works River	South Berwick, North Berwick.	From Route 9 downstream to the confluence with Salmon Falls River: From October 1 - March 31: S-6; all fish caught must be released alive at once.
Mousam River	Kennebunk	From the dam at Mousam Lake downstream to Rt. 1: S-23. From Rt. 1 to tidewater: Open to year-round open water fishing. S-6, S-8, S-21. Minimum length limit on brown trout and rainbow trout: 14 inches.
Saco River	Fryeburg to Saco	From Fryeburg to Saco. S-19. From October 1 - March 31: S-6, S-8. DANGER: The area south of the Upper York Dam (West Channel), in Saco and Biddeford, is subject to sudden fluctuations in water level due to automated operation of dam gates. Fishermen are advised to use caution because of the danger of rapidly rising water levels. Bank fishing only is recommended.