Updated for 2024
Are you thinking of fishing at Moosehead Lake during your visit? Great idea! Moosehead Lake’s waters are home to over 15 fish species, including landlocked salmon, lake trout, brook trout, rainbow smelt, and smallmouth bass.
Moosehead Lake is an angler’s paradise. The lake has over 75,000 acres to fish and is surrounded by many other excellent rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams. People come from all over to fish in the lake, and why not? It’s such a beautiful country and offers no end of fishing options.
Shore, Water, and Fly Fishing
Would you prefer to fish from the shore? Moosehead Lake has more than 400 miles of shoreline you can explore. Add in all the adjoining rivers, streams, ponds, and other bodies of water, and you’re in angling heaven.
You say you prefer fly-fishing to angling? Perfect. Moosehead Lake is a well-known fly-fishing destination with pools, pocket waters, and rapids to flick your fly over. Are you visiting during wintertime? Don’t despair. Moosehead Lake is also known for its ice fishing!
Maybe you’d rather get out on the water instead? No problem. Both motor boats and manual craft are welcome on Moosehead Lake and can be rented locally. The lake has two boat ramps, and canoes and kayaks can be put in at numerous locations. Other areas, such as lakes and ponds, also allow watercraft.
Best of all, Greenville has all the services you need to have a fun and successful time: licensees, boat rentals, gear outfitters, fishing guides, and more.
Fishing Moosehead Lake in Summer
Moosehead Lake Summer Fishing Season runs from May 1st through September 30th. Fish in the lake include smallmouth bass, lake trout, landlocked salmon, cusk, rainbow smelt, white and yellow perch, and sunfish.
Some of the most popular public fishing sites at the lake are in Greenville Junction, Rockwood, and Seboomook. Popular non-lake destinations include Sawyer Pond, a great place for beginning anglers, and Mountain View Pond, which is excellent for brook trout.
Prong Pond is lovely for canoes and kayaks, with many coves and small islands to explore. Here, you’ll catch smallmouth bass, brook trout, and white and yellow perch.
The East Outlet of the Kennebec River is fly fishing only. There are ample brook trout and salmon all year, especially in spring and fall. Upstream Moose River, which empties into Moosehead Lake, is a popular spot with fly-fishers after salmon or trout.
“The best place to fish on Moosehead Lake” depends on several factors. These include the type of fishing you want to do, the type of fish you’re after, what time of year it is, and so forth. Let us know if you’d like a hand figuring it all out. We’ll help you connect with one of our popular local fishing guides. They’ll get you going in the right direction and even take you on a guided fishing expedition.
Ice Fishing Moosehead Lake in Winter
Once the snow flies and the lake freezes, it’s ice fishing time! The lake typically freezes by mid-January at the latest. Ice-fishing season on Moosehead Lake officially begins January 1 and runs through April 30.
If you’ve never gone ice fishing, you’re missing out on a unique and fun form of fishing.
You drill a hole in the ice, set up your “tip-up” or jigging rod, and wait for the fish to start biting. Often, a portable ice shack protects you from the elements as you fish. It can be a lot of fun with all your cooking gear, food, heater, and chairs out on the ice. Some even use snowmobiles or ATVs to reach their ice-fishing spots, making it even more of an adventure.
Brook trout, cusk, lake trout, and salmon are typical winter catches, with many salmon caught right under the ice. However, it’s important to remember that any salmon caught before February 15th must be released without being removed from the water.
Free Fishing Weekends and More
Maine provides a couple of free fishing weekends each year where anyone can fish, license or not. All other fishing laws and regulations apply, of course. Maine Free Fishing Weekends for 2025 are February 15-16 and May 31 – June 1.
Information you need to know if you’re not fishing during these free weekends is listed below.
- You must acquire a Maine fishing license.
- It’s always good advice to reacquaint yourself with state fishing rules and regulations before you get your line wet.
- You may also need some advice about where to go, what bait to use, etc. The state has also put together an excellent and free Maine Fishing Guide PDF you’ll want to peruse.
Fishing Moosehead Lake is a popular activity, but it can be overwhelming or disappointing if you are not properly prepared. Let The Lodge at Moosehead Lake get you pointed in the right direction with information on where to source fishing gear, licenses, and even a guide if you wish.
Moosehead Lake fishing guides love what they do and are your best bet for getting an insider’s knowledge of the best fishing spots and times for the lake. Just let us know if a guided fishing trip or any other adventure strikes your fancy. Sharing Moosehead Lake with our guests is our mission and passion here at The Lodge at Moosehead Lake.
We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!