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Maine · 4 lakes

Maine Fishing Lakes

Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Maine.

Chesuncook Lake

Piscataquis County · Natural lake (dammed)
Landlocked SalmonBrook TroutWhite Perch
Acres26,200Max depth150 ftShoreline—

Flagstaff Lake

Franklin & Somerset Counties · Dammed storage reservoir
Chain PickerelYellow PerchBrook Trout
Acres20,300Max depth50 ftShoreline147 mi

Moosehead Lake

Piscataquis & Somerset Counties · Natural lake
Lake TroutLandlocked SalmonSmallmouth Bass
Acres74,890Max depth246 ftShoreline400 mi

Sebago Lake

Cumberland County · Natural lake
Landlocked SalmonLake TroutSmallmouth Bass
Acres28,771Max depth316 ftShoreline—

More Maine lakes

Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.

Chesuncook LakePiscataquis County · 26,200 acres
Natural lake (dammed)

Chesuncook Lake

Piscataquis County, Maine

Maine's third-largest lake, a remote North Woods lake on the West Branch of the Penobscot River raised by Ripogenus Dam. It is known for wild landlocked salmon and brook trout, plus big white perch in the northern end.

Outline map coming soon
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Surface area26,200 acres
Max depth150 ft
Shoreline—
Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Landlocked Salmon●●●●○

The main gamefish. Troll streamers and smelt imitations after ice-out, then go deep in summer. The Caribou Lake end is a good area.

Brook Trout●●●○○

Wild trout near inlets and in the spring. They run up the West Branch with salmon in early fall.

White Perch●●●○○

Large perch in the northeastern end where Umbazooksus Stream enters.

Lake Trout●●○○○

Present but a minor fishery. Fish deep water in summer.

Boat launches

3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

  • Chesuncook Lake Road launchPublic
    Improved trailered boat launch listed by Maine IFWDirections ↗
  • Umbazooksus Stream launch (Guy Allen Road)Public
    Improved trailered launch reaching the north end of the lakeDirections ↗
  • Caribou Lake (Golden Road)Carry-in
    Unimproved carry-in access to the southwest armDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Chesuncook Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.

Search more bait shops near Chesuncook Lake ↗

Local tips

  • Winds usually come out of the northwest and build fast on this big lake. Stay close to shore in small boats and canoes.
  • Access is over gravel logging roads in the North Maine Woods. Expect checkpoints and fees, and bring everything you need.
  • In summer salmon and trout drop below a warm surface layer 45 to 60 ft deep, so fish deep with lead core or downriggers.
Flagstaff LakeFranklin & Somerset Counties · 20,300 acres
Dammed storage reservoir

Flagstaff Lake

Franklin & Somerset Counties, Maine

A large, shallow reservoir on the Dead River near Eustis and Stratton, formed by Long Falls Dam in 1950 and backed by the Bigelow Range. It is known for remote, undeveloped shoreline, paddling on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and a warmwater fishery with pickerel and perch plus some trout and salmon.

Outline map coming soon
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Surface area20,300 acres
Max depth50 ft
Shoreline147 mi
Boat motorsCheck local rules

Species

Fishery rating out of 5.

Chain Pickerel●●●●○

The lake's principal fishery. Work weedy coves and stump flats with spoons, spinners, or live bait.

Yellow Perch●●●○○

Common throughout the lake. Small jigs and worms in coves; a good ice fishing target.

Brook Trout●●○○○

Limited fishery. Best near cool inflows like the Dead River at Big Eddy, mostly in spring and early summer.

Landlocked Salmon●●○○○

Occasionally stocked and grow slowly here. Try the deeper sections and river mouths when water is cold.

Boat launches

5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.

  • Route 27 Flagstaff Lake Boat LaunchPublic
    Launch off Route 27 near Stratton/Eustis on the west endDirections ↗
  • Trout Brook North Boat LaunchPublic
    Launch with nearby campsiteDirections ↗
  • Bog Brook Boat LaunchPublic
    Launch on the lake's north sideDirections ↗
  • Long Falls Dam Boat LaunchPublic
    East end near the dam. No camping at the launchDirections ↗
  • More public accessPublic
    See the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands boat launch list for all sites; conditions varyDirections ↗

Size & creel limits

Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Flagstaff Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Search more bait shops near Flagstaff Lake ↗

Local tips

  • The lake is shallow and warms a lot in summer, so trout and salmon fishing is best in spring and near cold inflows.
  • Wind builds big waves fast on this open lake. Stay near shore, keep crossings short, and get off before afternoon storms.
  • Long Falls Dam releases can raise the water quickly near the Dead River; watch for the siren and clean boats to stop milfoil.
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