It’s a fishing day

Kennebec River (Augusta) fishing conditions · Maine

Today, 11 am–2 pmSmallmouth bass

The bite peaks at 78.

Log a trip here
Right now: 68 for smallmouth bass, marginalTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Smallmouth bass, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 6810 am
  2. 78
  3. 78
  4. 781 pm
  5. 68
  6. 68
  7. 684 pm
  8. 68
  9. 68
  10. 687 pm
  11. 68
  12. 68
  13. 6810 pm
  14. 68
  15. 68Tue
  16. 681 am
  17. 68
  18. 68
  19. 684 am
  20. 68
  21. 68
  22. 687 am
  23. 68
  24. 68
  25. 6810 am
  26. 68
  27. 68
  28. 681 pm
  29. 68
  30. 68
  31. 684 pm
  32. 58
  33. 58
  34. 587 pm
  35. 68
  36. 58
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Smallmouth bass range 55–78°

Wind
0 mph

From the

Flow
2,200 cfs

rising · +16% in 24 h

Light
Daylight

Sunset 5:37 pm

Sky
Partly Sunny

3% chance of rain

Air
51°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
100% lit

Full

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Maine non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

78Worth the tripToday, 11 am–2 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maine South Zone general law: 2 bass a day, no minimum, only 1 over 14". The North Zone has no bass limit.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maine non-tidal

Season here: May–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on smallmouth bass

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

78Worth the tripToday, 11 am–2 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maine general law: inland species not listed in the statewide table, carp included, have no bag limit and no length limit.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Maine non-tidal

Last checked 8 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Jun–Sep, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on common carp

Brown Trout

Brown trout

Salmo trutta

70Worth the tripToday, 11 am–2 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Brown trout bite in 45–68° water, best near 55°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Brown trout feeds less actively under bright moon. Holds 3–25 ft down.

Keep

14" minimum · 2 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Maine general law: 2 brown trout a day; 14" minimum in lakes and ponds, 6–25" in rivers and streams.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Maine non-tidal

Season here: Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on brown trout

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River2,200 cfs · rising · +16% in 24 h
  • Barometer30.14 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today5:37 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow7:09 am
  • MoonFull, 100% lit
  • Major solunarToday 11:30 am–1:30 pm
  • Minor solunarToday 5:00 pm–6:00 pm
  • Major solunarTonight 12:10 am–2:10 am

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife publishes a report for the state.

Licenses and rules: Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife · trout stocking · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

The freshwater Kennebec above the head of tide at Augusta — a strong smallmouth bass and brown trout river restored to health since the Edwards Dam removal in 1999. Live USGS flow at North Sidney reads the river; smallmouth fill the rips and rock all summer.

Lockwood Dam to the head of tide: open all year with single-hook artificial lures; trout and salmon 12" minimum, 2 a day combined. South Zone bass: 2 a day, only 1 over 14". Striped bass must be released May 1–Jun 30.

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Sebago Lake52 mi · MaineBest now until 2 pm
72Worth the trip
Penobscot River (Bangor)58 mi · MaineBest today 11 am–2 pm
72Worth the trip
Moosehead Lake78 mi · MaineLandlocked salmon, best now until 2 pm
78Worth the trip
Lake Winnipesaukee94 mi · New HampshireBest now until 2 pm
78Worth the trip
Squam Lake97 mi · New HampshireBest now until 2 pm
78Worth the trip
North Hampton State Beach109 mi · New HampshireBest now until 2 pm
78Worth the trip

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Kennebec River (Augusta)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Kennebec River (Augusta) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Kennebec River (Augusta)?

Kennebec River (Augusta) is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Common Carp. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Kennebec River (Augusta)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Kennebec River (Augusta) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Kennebec River (Augusta) have?

Kennebec River (Augusta) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Lockwood Dam to the head of tide: open all year with single-hook artificial lures; trout and salmon 12" minimum, 2 a day combined. South Zone bass: 2 a day, only 1 over 14". Striped bass must be released May 1–Jun 30.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Kennebec River (Augusta)?

state agency regulations apply at Kennebec River (Augusta). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Kennebec River (Augusta) tidal water?

No. Kennebec River (Augusta) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.