Moosehead and Penobscot Region fishing reports
By Fisheries Resource Biologist Steve Seeback
The Moosehead Lake Region in Maine offers outstanding and diverse fishing opportunities through mid to late summer. From the vast waters of Moosehead Lake to surrounding rivers and remote ponds, anglers can find productive waters throughout the region as conditions shift with rising temperatures.
Lake trout (togue)
During the summer heat, lake trout concentrate in deeper, cooler water. On waters such as Allagash Lake, Chamberlain Lake, First Roach Pond, Harrington Lake, Lobster Lake, Lower Wilson Pond, Nahmakanta Lake, Sebec Lake and Moosehead Lake, the most consistent action is typically found in 35–50 feet of water, where fish relate to the thermocline.
Anglers are generally better off avoiding depths beyond roughly 90 feet, where lake trout tend to be smaller and less active.
Brook trout & landlocked salmon
Brook trout and landlocked salmon remain most active during low-light periods, especially early morning and late evening. As surface temperatures rise during the day, these fish often retreat into cooler, deeper water.
In smaller ponds, productive depths are usually around 12–15 feet, since deeper zones can become oxygen-limited during the warmest part of the season.
Summer hatch: Green Drake (Hex)
One of the highlights of the season is the Green Drake (Hex) hatch, which typically runs from late June through mid-July. This hatch aligns with the long days around the summer solstice, with peak activity occurring at dusk and continuing into the night.
During this brief but intense event, large mayflies emerge on many soft-bottom trout ponds across the region, often triggering aggressive surface feeding from trout, togue, and salmon. Evening dry fly fishing during this hatch is considered a must-experience opportunity for visiting anglers in Maine’s North Woods.
Tailrace fisheries
For anglers who prefer moving water, tailrace fisheries are a reliable summer option. These are river stretches located below dams or hydroelectric facilities, where released water creates oxygen-rich current and concentrates fish.
In summer, these flows are especially valuable, as many natural rivers would otherwise run too low or warm for good fishing. Notable tailrace fisheries include:
East Outlet of the Kennebec River near Moosehead Lake
Moose River below Brassua Dam
West Branch of the Penobscot River below Seboomook Dam
West Branch of the Penobscot River below Ripogenus Dam
Whether you are chasing trophy brookies during the hex hatch on one of the region’s remote ponds, fishing the deep water off Mount Kineo in pursuit of the monster Moosehead togue waiting right under the thermocline, or fighting aggressive smallmouth in Sebec Lake, the Moosehead Lake region remains New England’s premier summer playground.
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By Fisheries Resource Biologist Zac Glidden
July is the perfect time to get your young ones out fishing and the Penobscot Region might just be the perfect place. This region of the state is teeming with opportunities for novice anglers to wet a line. Our redbreast and pumpkinseed sunfish, often a young anglers first fish, are readily found along the shoreline of your nearest waterbody and are easily caught with worms under bobbers.
For the more adventurous youths a few hours spent chasing smallmouth bass and pickerel are just the ticket. An excellent location to take them is the Penobscot River, which features a world-class smallmouth bass fishery; the Penobscot River can be accessed in a number of areas, with public boat launches in Winn, Lincoln, Howland, Passadumkeag, Greenbush, Old Town and Eddington. Alternatively, if a more remote day-long float for the whole family is desired, try the Passadumkeag River. This fabulous canoe trip begins at the Tannery in Lowell and ends at the IFW launch in Passadumkeag.
Anglers looking for opportunities to catch Landlocked Salmon would be rewarded by taking a trip to Pemadumcook Lake, T1 R9 WELS, T1 R10 Wels, T3 Indian Purchase and T4 Indian Purchase; reports of fast fishing for healthy Landlocks have been coming in all spring and I expect that to continue well into the summer. The Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes can be accessed at either of the two public launches, they are located at South Twin Lake or Ambajejus Lake. Anglers are encouraged to harvest their legal catch of Landlocked Salmon when fishing at Pemadumcook Chain of Lakes. Searching for a chance at an above average sized Landlock Salmon, head to Cold Stream Pond, Enfield. Salmon captured in last fall’s trap netting were in excellent shape and anglers have reported catching very healthy fish all winter and spring.
July is the time of the storied mayfly hatch on many of our brook trout ponds. Once in a lifetime trout fishing can be found in the evening during early July. Excellent opportunities exist for chasing the hex hatch within the southern portion of Baxter State Park. I encourage you to get out there and try a new water!
Fishing tip:
When chasing bronzebacks remember to check your soft plastic baits regularly so that they don’t fall off while casting and properly dispose of them at the end of your trip.
Reminder:
There is an important tagging project underway within the Pushaw Stream and Penobscot River drainages. Over 400 invasive Northern Pike have been tagged with numbered orange tags and should you catch one please report the fish on our website or follow this link: Fish Tag Reporting: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/fisheries/fish-tag-reporting.html).