Species
Landlocked Salmon
Salmo salar · family Salmonidae
Live · updated
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.
Preferred conditions
- Water temp
- 38–60°F (ideal 50°F)
- Tide
- either
- Moon
- either
- Depth
- 5–70 ft
- Active months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Best landlocked salmon conditions today
Sebago Lake
Lake Winnipesaukee
Squam Lake
Lake Memphremagog (Newport)
Lake Champlain (Burlington)
Moosehead Lake
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
NTME
non tidal
- Min size
- 14"
- Creel
- 2
Maine general law: 2 landlocked salmon/day, 14–25". Many waters set their own minimum — confirm the lake.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
Waters with special regulations in this jurisdiction
NTVT
non tidal
- Min size
- 15"
- Creel
- 2
Lake Champlain: 2 landlocked (Atlantic) salmon/day, 15" minimum.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
NTNH
non tidal
- Min size
- 15"
- Creel
- 2
New Hampshire: 2 salmon/day (15" minimum), counted in a 2-fish salmon + lake-trout aggregate. Season Apr 1–Sep 30; no salmon may be taken through the ice.
Source · verified 2026-06-03