Piscataquis County, ME · Lake
Moosehead Lake
The largest lake in Maine — 75,000 acres of cold, wild water in the North Woods at Greenville. A premier landlocked salmon, lake trout, and wild brook trout fishery surrounded by undeveloped forest; trolled at ice-out and in fall, with the brookie fishing among the best in the East.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Landlocked Salmon, Lake Trout & Brook Trout — tied at the top (40/100)
3 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Moosehead Lake.
Special Weather Statement issued June 5 at 2:43AM EDT by NWS Caribou ME
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Moosehead Lake
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Landlocked Salmon Marginal conditions for Landlocked Salmon. In season 40/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Salmo salar — A freshwater form of the Atlantic salmon, landlocked in the cold lakes of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York — Maine’s Sebago Lake gave the "Sebago" strain its name. It chases smelt in cold water, so the bite is best at ice-out and again in fall; in summer the fish follow the thermocline deep and are trolled with streamers and lead-core. A prized, hard-jumping gamefish and the centerpiece of the Northeast’s coldwater fishery.
Prefers. Water 38–60°F (ideal 50°F) · either tide · depth 5–70 ft.
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 2
Maine general law: 2 landlocked salmon/day, 14–25". Many waters set their own minimum — confirm the lake.
Source: Maine non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Lake Trout Marginal conditions for Lake Trout. In season 40/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Salvelinus namaycush — The native deepwater char of the Great Lakes and cold northern lakes. Holds in cold, deep water through summer and moves shallow to reefs in spring and fall. Targeted by deep trolling, jigging, and from shore early and late in the season.
Prefers. Water 40–52°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 30–200 ft.
- Min size
- 18"
- Daily creel
- 2
Maine general law: 2 lake trout (togue)/day, 18" minimum.
Source: Maine non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Brook Trout Check local Brook Trout regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 40/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Brook Trout in ME on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Salvelinus fontinalis — Maryland's only native trout and a conservation priority species. Surviving wild populations are in small, cold headwater streams in Garrett, Allegany, and a few pockets of central/western MD. Small, aggressive, and spectacularly colored — sensitive to warming and habitat loss.
Prefers. Water 40–65°F (ideal 52°F) · either tide · depth 1–10 ft.
No regulations on file for Maine non-tidal / non-tidal. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Maine non-tidal
Coordinates
Notes
North Zone general law. Treat wild brook trout gently — Maine holds most of the country’s remaining wild brook trout water.
Local reports & rules for Moosehead Lake: Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife fishing report → · trout stocking schedule → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Moosehead Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Moosehead Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Moosehead Lake?
Moosehead Lake is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Landlocked Salmon, Lake Trout, Brook Trout. 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 Moosehead Lake?
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 Moosehead Lake 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 Moosehead Lake have?
Moosehead Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. North Zone general law. Treat wild brook trout gently — Maine holds most of the country’s remaining wild brook trout water.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Moosehead Lake?
state agency regulations apply at Moosehead Lake. 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 Moosehead Lake tidal water?
No. Moosehead Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.