When in Maine, fly fishing will be at the top of your to-do list. With a varied terrain to offer, there’s something here for anglers of every skill level.

What to Catch

There are over 6,500 ponds and lakes to fish from. Around 600 of these are self-sustaining (they haven't been stocked in the last decade) with half of these never having been stocked to begin with. This offers anglers the rare chance to catch completely natural trout. Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Lake Trout all make their home in Maine.

Landlocked Salmon are also a big part of fly fishing in Maine – they aren’t the state’s official fish for nothing! They are a close cousin of the Atlantic Salmon and can be found in most lakes. When fishing in Maine, you’ll also be able to reel in Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, Pike, Togue, Muskellunge, Bluefish, and more.

For hardcore anglers who really want a challenge, head offshore and try catching a giant Bluefin Tuna on the fly – the ultimate skill test, as these beauties regularly weigh around 900 pounds!

Where to Go

There are so many fishing spots for anglers to choose from, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy shop! The rivers and streams, freshwater lakes, and huge coastline all provide a fishing playground.

Sebago Lake

The name Sebago comes from the scientific name for landlocked Salmon, Salmo salar Sebago, and it’s no wonder – this lake offers top-notch fly fishing action for Salmon. Sebago Lake is also the deepest lake in New England and has a healthy population of Togue. Come along in May and September for runs of Salmon.

Roach River

Fly fishing enthusiasts will love Roach River, as they are the only ones allowed to fish here. Roach River is also strictly catch and release, allowing you to catch plenty of Brook Trout and Salmon in the riffles and pools here.

Rangeley Lake

You’ll find larger landlocked Salmon here, making Rangeley Lake one of three hotspots for Salmon. From here, you can easily access Cupsuptic Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake – the Salmon here might be smaller, but there are a lot more of them. The streams and brooks coming from these waters are great for fly fishing, and they’re heavily fished during the run in September.

Rapid River

Flowing from the Rangeley Lake down to New Hampshire, the Rapid River has been a favorite of fly fishers for decades. This is another river which is solely for the use of fly fishing. Although small (only 3 miles long) there are plenty of Brook Trout and Salmon to target. The local Trout has to be released, to help keep these waters productive – it’s one of the best wild Brook Trout rivers in the country after all! Fish here from April to September.

Kennebec River

Another great river for Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout is the Kennebec River. This huge river is over 170 miles long and has many top spots along its banks for fly fishing. Head towards Shawmut Dam for a great spot for both species of Trout. This river heads all the way into the Atlantic, where you can target Bluefin Tuna and Shark.

How to Fish

• When fly fishing in Maine, you’ll need to wait till the ice melts. This usually happens mid-April.

• Experienced fly fishers will know to keep an eye on the hatch season, to help dictate which flies to use. Overall, streamers and nymphs work best.

• Depending on which spot you go to and how much space you have, you may need to alter the length of your rod. A safe option is to have a shorter rod (less than 9 feet), which will keep you from getting tangled in overhanging branches, too.

When to Go

In the Pine Tree State, your window of opportunity to fly fish is cut short by the invading winter, when the top waterways freeze over until the spring. A successful fly fishing trip will occur from April through to September.

Maine fly fishing offers you the opportunity to catch truly wild Trout and huge Bluefin Tuna. Are you ready to put your skills to the test?