Landlocked salmon Salmo salar
3 of 6worth the trip today
Best right now at Sebago Lake, Maine. Water is inside the 38–60° range landlocked salmon like at 1 of the 1 spot with a live reading.
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About landlocked salmon
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.
Salmo salar, family Salmonidae.
Landlocked salmon, spot by spot
All 3 spots with landlocked salmon in season, scored for landlocked salmon, best first.
Not scored today
3 other spots where people fish for landlocked salmon: 3 closed to landlocked salmon or out of season today.
The water they want
Landlocked salmon feed from about 38° to 60°F and best near 50°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 1 of 1 are inside the range.
How they feed
- Water38–60°F, best near 50°
- TideEither, as long as it moves
- MoonEither
- DepthUsually 5–70 ft
- Active monthsSep–Jun
Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works
Keep or release
- Maine non-tidal14" minimum · 2 a dayMaine general law: 2 landlocked salmon a day, 14" minimum in lakes and ponds; 14–25" in rivers. North Zone lakes and all rivers close Oct 1–Mar 31.Non tidal waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
- New Hampshire non-tidal15" minimum · 2 a dayNew Hampshire: 15" minimum, 2 a day, Apr 1–Sep 30 only. On Lake Trout and Salmon Lakes the 2 count toward a combined 2-fish trout and salmon limit.Non tidal waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
- Vermont non-tidal17" minimum · 2 a dayVermont: 17" minimum; 2 lake trout and salmon a day combined, harvest Jan 1–Mar 15 and from the second Saturday in April to Oct 31. Lake Champlain is 15" and open all year.Non tidal waters · verified Oct 23, 2026 · source
Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. Landlocked salmon are fished at spots in 3 states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont.
Waters with their own rules
These waters set limits for landlocked salmon that differ from the rest of their state.
Fished in the same water
Species people target at the same spots as landlocked salmon, and how they’re doing today.
Lake troutSalvelinus namaycush5 of 18 spots worth the trip
Best now at Lake Champlain, NY90
Bites in 40–52° water
Smallmouth bassMicropterus dolomieu50 of 118 spots worth the trip
Best now at Potomac River, MD100
Bites in 55–78° water
Largemouth bassMicropterus salmoides46 of 139 spots worth the trip
Best now at Miami Beach Park, MD96
Bites in 55–85° water
WalleyeSander vitreus33 of 81 spots worth the trip
Best now at Presque Isle, PA96
Bites in 50–72° water