Live wading and fishing conditions for 40 Maine rivers
Every river below is monitored through its USGS streamflow gauges, refreshed every 15 minutes and rated in plain language for wading safety. Select a river for the live dashboard with current flow, trend, weather and community reports.
Kennebec River
One of New England's great rivers — from the whitewater gorge below Harris Station at The Forks, through the Wyman Dam tailwater at Bingham, down to the warmer smallmouth and sea-run water near Augusta and Merrymeeting Bay. The upper river is landlocked-salmon and trout country driven entirely by dam generation; the lower river is smallmouth, shad, and striper water. This is reach-specific fishing — read the release schedule before you wade.
Region: Kennebec Watershed · Fish for: Landlocked Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Kennebec River At The Forks, Maine, Kennebec River At Bingham, Maine, Kennebec River Near Madison, Maine, Kennebec River At North Sidney, Maine
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Grand Lake Stream
The most famous landlocked-salmon fly water in Maine — a short, cold, fly-fishing-only river connecting West Grand Lake to Big Lake in the Down East lakes country. Flow is entirely controlled by the West Grand Lake dam, and the salmon and brook trout fishing peaks in spring and fall when releases and water temperatures line up. A pilgrimage river with a deep guiding tradition.
Region: Down East · Fish for: Landlocked Salmon, Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Grand Lake Stream At Grand Lake Stream, Maine
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St. Croix River
The international border river with New Brunswick and one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the Northeast — a big, clean, dam-linked river of flowages, rapids, and long pools from Vanceboro down through Grand Falls and Baring. Legendary numbers of hard-fighting smallmouth, plus landlocked salmon in the cold reaches. A canoe-and-boat river with excellent public access.
Region: Down East · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: St. Croix River At Vanceboro, Maine, St. Croix River At Baring, Maine
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East Branch Penobscot River
A remote, cold north-woods river running out of Grand Lake Matagamon along Baxter State Park — classic wild brook trout and landlocked salmon water reached by logging road and canoe. Below the lake outlet it is a wadeable, fly-fisher's river of pools, ledges, and rapids; the lower reach toward Grindstone opens up. Wild-fish country with special regulations.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: E. Br. Penobscot River Below Grand Lake Matagamon, East Branch Penobscot River At Grindstone, Maine
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Androscoggin River
A big western-Maine river reborn from its industrial past — cleaner every year and now a strong smallmouth fishery through Rumford, Lewiston-Auburn, and the Turner reaches, with trout in the colder tributary water above. Below the mill dams it is boat-and-bank smallmouth water; the lower river also sees sea-run shad and stripers up into Merrymeeting Bay.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Androscoggin River At Rumford, Maine, Androscoggin River Near Auburn, Maine
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Penobscot River
Maine's largest river system and the centerpiece of the state's Atlantic salmon restoration — below West Enfield the main stem is big, dam-influenced water for smallmouth bass, with a protected run of endangered sea-run Atlantic salmon passing through. Frame this as a boat and bank fishery: strong current on high flows, and remember the river is CLOSED to Atlantic salmon fishing.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: Penobscot River At West Enfield, Maine
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Saco River
The busiest paddling river in southern Maine — a warm, sandy, largely wadeable and floatable river running from the New Hampshire line through Fryeburg and Cornish toward Biddeford. Above the lower dams it is prime smallmouth water with stocked trout in the cooler reaches; the sandbars make easy access and the summer floats are a Maine institution.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Saco River At Cornish, Maine
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Allagash River
The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is one of the most storied canoe-and-fishing trips in the East — ninety-plus miles of lakes, ponds, and river running north through the great north woods to the St. John. Brook trout and landlocked salmon hold in the cold flowages, thoroughfares, and river reaches, with the water near Allagash Falls and the lower river classic wild-fish country. A protected wilderness corridor best fished from a canoe.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: Allagash River Near Allagash, Maine
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Dead River
A wild western-Maine river famous for its dam-release whitewater and its cold, healthy brook trout and landlocked salmon — running down to meet the Kennebec at The Forks. The scheduled Long Falls Dam releases turn it into a big pushy river on release days and a wadeable freestone in between, so the generation calendar governs when and where you can fish.
Region: Kennebec Watershed · Fish for: Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: Dead River Near Dead River, Maine
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Sheepscot River
A small, scenic coastal river with an outsized conservation story — one of the few Maine rivers holding both wild native brook trout and a remnant, federally protected run of sea-run Atlantic salmon and sea-run brook trout. The upper freshwater reaches near Whitefield and Alna are wadeable trout water; the lower river turns tidal with smallmouth and stripers. Fish it gently and know the salmon protections.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Sheepscot River At North Whitefield, Maine
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St. John River
Maine's longest wild river and a legendary north-woods canoe trip — the St. John runs free for over a hundred miles from the remote headwaters past Ninemile Bridge and Dickey down to Fort Kent. The cold upper river holds native brook trout; the lower reaches near Fort Kent add smallmouth bass and warmwater fish. Illegally introduced muskellunge now roam parts of the drainage — a wild, roadless river best reached by canoe or logging road.
Region: Aroostook / The County · Fish for: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: St. John River At Ninemile Bridge, Maine, St. John River At Dickey, Maine, St. John River Below Fish R, Nr Fort Kent, Maine
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Piscataquis River
A long Penobscot-tributary river running from the mountains near Blanchard through Dover-Foxcroft down to Medford — cold, wadeable brook trout and salmon water up high that grades into smallmouth water in the warmer lower reaches. A quietly excellent, under-fished river with good road access along much of its length.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Piscataquis River At Blanchard, Maine, Piscataquis River Near Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, Piscataquis River At Medford, Maine
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Narraguagus River
A quiet Down East river carrying one of Maine's last remnant wild Atlantic salmon runs — federally protected and off-limits to salmon fishing — along with wild brook trout and sea-run brookies in its cold water. From Deblois down to the tidewater at Cherryfield it is intimate, wadeable trout water. Fish it for brookies with respect for the endangered salmon that share it.
Region: Down East · Fish for: Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon · USGS gauges: Narraguagus River At Cherryfield, Maine
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Sandy River
A classic western-Maine trout river running from the Saddleback country through Farmington toward the Kennebec — cold, gravelly wild brook trout and stocked brown trout water up high, grading into smallmouth in the warmer lower reaches near Mercer. Long wadeable runs and good road access make it one of the region's most fishable rivers.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Brook Trout, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Sandy River Near Madrid, Maine, Sandy River Near Mercer, Maine
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Carrabassett River
A tumbling, cold freestone river running out of the Bigelow and Sugarloaf country to North Anson — pocket-water brook trout fishing at its most scenic. Small, wadeable, and boulder-strewn, it fishes best on the cool flows of spring and early summer and after the mountain rain settles. A wild-trout river to fish light and release.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Carrabassett River Near North Anson, Maine
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Aroostook River
The big river of northern Maine's potato country — a wide, clean river running from Masardis through Ashland and Washburn toward the New Brunswick border. Strong smallmouth bass fishing through the lower reaches, with brook trout and salmon in the colder tributary water up high. A boat-and-bank river with good access through The County towns.
Region: Aroostook / The County · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Aroostook River Near Masardis, Maine, Aroostook River At Washburn, Maine
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Mattawamkeag River
A remote Penobscot-tributary river winding through the north-woods wilderness near Mattawamkeag and Kingman — excellent smallmouth bass water with brook trout in the colder tributary reaches. The Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park offers rare, genuine public access to a long stretch of rapids and pools. A quiet, scenic river for anglers who like solitude.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Mattawamkeag River Near Mattawamkeag, Maine
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Fish River
The Fish River drains a chain of coldwater lakes across northern Aroostook and runs to the St. John at Fort Kent — famous landlocked-salmon and brook-trout water, especially at the outlets and around Fish River Falls. Spring and fall bring salmon following smelt through the thoroughfares and river reaches. A classic County fishery with real road access.
Region: Aroostook / The County · Fish for: Landlocked Salmon, Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Fish River Near Fort Kent, Maine
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West Branch Penobscot Headwaters
Above Seboomook Lake, the North and South Branches of the Penobscot gather the cold headwaters of the famous West Branch — remote, roaded-only brook trout and landlocked-salmon water deep in the north woods near Pittston Farm and Canada Falls. These are small, wild freestone reaches feeding the great flowages downstream. Backcountry fishing on logging-road access.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: North Branch Penobscot River Nr Pittston Farm, Me, S. Br. Penobscot River Nr Canada Falls Lake, Maine
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Presumpscot River
The outlet of Sebago Lake, running through Windham and Westbrook to Casco Bay at Falmouth — the Presumpscot is a reborn river holding brown trout and landlocked salmon below Sebago, smallmouth and largemouth bass lower down, and a restored run of sea-run fish as dams come out. Once heavily polluted, it's now one of southern Maine's best mixed fisheries with good access through Portland-area parks.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Presumpscot River Near West Falmouth, Maine
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Wild River
A gem of a freestone tumbling out of the White Mountain National Forest to the Androscoggin at Gilead — the Wild River is cold, clear, boulder-strewn native brook trout water. Much of it runs through federal forest with campgrounds and trail access along the valley. A classic small-stream brookie wade in western Maine.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Wild River At Gilead, Maine
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Meduxnekeag River
The Meduxnekeag runs through Houlton and on into New Brunswick — southern Aroostook's best smallmouth river, with brook trout in the cooler tributary and headwater reaches. The Meduxnekeag Watershed Coalition maintains trails and access along the river in town. Strong, hard-fighting smallmouth make this an underrated County destination.
Region: Aroostook / The County · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Meduxnekeag R Above S Br Medux. R Nr Houlton, Me, Meduxnekeag River At Lowery Rd. Nr Houlton, Maine
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Sebec River
The short, lively outlet of Sebec Lake, running from the dam at Sebec Village down to the Piscataquis — cold, oxygenated water holding landlocked salmon, brook trout, and smallmouth bass. Salmon drop out of the lake into the river in spring and fall, making the outlet reach a local favorite. Easy access and a fun mix of coldwater and smallmouth fishing.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Landlocked Salmon, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Sebec River At Sebec, Maine
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Swift River
The Swift River tumbles down from the high country through Byron and Roxbury to the Androscoggin — a beautiful, cold freestone famous for Coos Canyon, its gold-panning, and its wild brook trout. Boulder pockets, ledge pools, and plunge runs hold native brookies the length of the valley. A scenic Route 17 wade in the western mountains.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Swift River Near Roxbury, Maine
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Kenduskeag Stream
The Kenduskeag winds out of the woods northwest of Bangor and runs right through the city to the Penobscot — famous for its spring canoe race, and a surprisingly good smallmouth and brook-trout stream. The upper reaches hold brook trout; the lower water through Bangor is solid smallmouth and pickerel. Genuine urban-edge fishing with easy access.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Kenduskeag Stream Near Bangor, Maine
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Ellis River
An Androscoggin tributary running down through Andover to the river at Rumford — the Ellis holds brook trout in its cold upper reaches and stocked and holdover trout lower down, with pretty pool-and-riffle water throughout. An accessible, scenic western-Maine trout stream.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Brook Trout, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Ellis River At South Andover, Maine
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Seboeis River
A remote tributary of the East Branch Penobscot flowing out of the Shin Pond country — the Seboeis is wild brook trout water up high and smallmouth water lower down, running through unbroken forest near Baxter State Park. A quiet freestone river for anglers who like to work for their fish.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Seboeis River Near Shin Pond, Maine
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Royal River
A short coastal river running through New Gloucester and Pownal to the sea at Yarmouth — the Royal holds smallmouth bass, brown trout, and a spring run of sea-run alewives and shad, with two dams in Yarmouth long targeted for removal to reopen the run. Popular smallmouth and light-tackle water close to Portland; the Royal River Conservation Trust protects much of the corridor.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout · USGS gauges: Royal River At Yarmouth, Maine
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Ducktrap River
One of only a handful of Maine rivers still holding a wild run of endangered sea-run Atlantic salmon — the little Ducktrap flows through Lincolnville to Penobscot Bay and is a protected, closely watched restoration river. It is CLOSED to Atlantic salmon fishing; native brook trout hold in the cold upper reaches. The Coastal Mountains Land Trust protects much of the corridor — a conservation river first.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Ducktrap River Near Lincolnville, Maine
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Little Androscoggin River
A tributary of the big Androscoggin running through South Paris, Mechanic Falls, and Auburn — the Little Andro holds brown trout and smallmouth bass, with stocked and holdover trout in the cooler reaches. A convenient, accessible stream with a mix of trout and warmwater fishing.
Region: Western Mountains · Fish for: Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Little Androscoggin River Near South Paris, Maine
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Mousam River
The Mousam drains the Sanford lakes and runs down through Kennebunk to the sea — a mixed southern-coast river with brown and brook trout in the cooler reaches, smallmouth and largemouth bass and pickerel in the slower impounded water, and dam-removal efforts working to reopen the sea-run habitat. Accessible warmwater-and-trout fishing in York County.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Mousam River At Route 4 Near Sanford, Maine, Mousam River Near West Kennebunk, Maine
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Spencer Stream
A remote tributary of the Dead River in the high country west of The Forks — Spencer Stream is wild brook trout and landlocked-salmon water running out of the Spencer and Grand Falls country through unbroken forest. Reached by logging road, it's a backcountry freestone for anglers chasing wild fish in solitude.
Region: Kennebec Watershed · Fish for: Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon · USGS gauges: Spencer Stream Near Grand Falls, Maine
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Cobbosseecontee Stream
The outlet of Cobbosseecontee Lake, running through Gardiner to the Kennebec — warm, slow water holding largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish. A convenient central-Maine bass-and-pickerel stream with good in-town access near the Kennebec confluence.
Region: Kennebec Watershed · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass · USGS gauges: Cobbosseecontee Stream At Gardiner, Maine
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Little Madawaska River
An Aroostook River tributary winding through the farm country and woods around Caribou — the Little Madawaska holds brook trout in its colder upper reaches and smallmouth bass and warmwater fish lower down. A modest, accessible County stream that flies under most anglers' radar.
Region: Aroostook / The County · Fish for: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Little Madawaska River At Caribou, Maine
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Old Stream
A wild brook-trout tributary of the Machias River drainage in the Down East woods near Wesley — Old Stream runs cold and tannic through bog and forest, holding native brookies within one of Maine's protected sea-run salmon watersheds. A quiet backcountry stream for anglers who value wild fish and solitude.
Region: Down East · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Old Stream Near Wesley, Maine
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Big Black River
A remote, roadless tributary of the upper St. John — the Big Black is prized wild brook trout water running through unbroken north-woods forest. Reached only by long logging-road drives or by canoe, it stays cold and clear and holds genuinely wild native brookies. Backcountry fishing for anglers who value solitude over easy access.
Region: Aroostook / The County · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Big Black River Near Depot Mtn, Maine
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Kingsbury Stream
A Piscataquis River tributary running through Abbot and Kingsbury — a small, cold brook-trout stream with pockets of wild fish in its riffles and plunge pools. Modest and easy to overlook, it's a pleasant wade for anglers exploring the Piscataquis country.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Kingsbury Stream At Abbot Village, Maine
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Austin Stream
A small Kennebec tributary tumbling into the river at Bingham — Austin Stream is a cold, brushy brook-trout stream with plunge pools and pocket water, plus a scenic gorge and falls upstream. A modest local wade close to the Kennebec's Wyman tailwater.
Region: Kennebec Watershed · Fish for: Brook Trout · USGS gauges: Austin Stream At Bingham, Maine
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Kennebunk River
A small southern-coast river running through Kennebunk to the sea — brook trout and pickerel hold in the fresher upper reaches above the tidal head, with smallmouth and warmwater fish in the slow water. Modest and tidal near the harbor, it's a low-key local stream best fished up above the salt.
Region: Southern Coast · Fish for: Brook Trout, Chain Pickerel · USGS gauges: Kennebunk River Near Kennebunk, Maine
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Wytopitlock Stream
A Mattawamkeag River tributary in the southern Aroostook woods near Wytopitlock — a small, mixed stream with brook trout in the colder reaches and smallmouth and pickerel in the slower, warmer water. An off-the-radar north-woods stream with quiet road access.
Region: North Woods / Penobscot · Fish for: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Wytopitlock Stream Near Wytopitlock Maine
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