LOOKING FOR BROOK TROUTS IN THE KATAHDIN AREA?
Fishing for Brookies or Squaretails? The famed Maine Brook Trout can be distinguished from other members of the trout family by the dark, wavy, worm-like line on their back and the white leading edges of their fins, including the tail. The statewide average length of 3 year-old brook trout in Maine lakes is 13.3 inches. However, same age trout from different lakes range from 7.5 to 17.5 inches in length.
According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (web) the “East Branch Penobscot River from Matagamon Lake to the confluence with the West Branch supports fisheries for brook trout, landlocked salmon, and smallmouth bass. The wide variety of habitat types offer a myriad of fishing experiences throughout the system, from fly fishing for brook trout and landlocked salmon in the upper reaches to spin fishing for bass in the area below Whetstone Falls. Special regulations designed to enhance the brook trout and salmon fisheries have been implemented within the East Branch system, and results so far have been very encouraging. The preferred method to experience the East Branch fishery is to take two or three days and float the river from Matagamon to Whetstone. There are enough authorized campsites to accommodate campers most any time during the season. A large commercial campground located just below Grand Matagamon Lake is an excellent starting point for those anglers who prefer to make day trips to various sites along the river. Day use access is from both the north from the Grand Lake Road and from the south via the Stacyville Road.
Baxter State Park contains a many trout ponds and streams that produce a wide variety of numbers and sizes of trout. Several of the waters lie within easy walking distance of the park road system however, many more require walks of several minutes to hours to reach. Regulations also vary widely according to the type of trout fishery that each pond can produce. Ponds that grow large numbers of small trout have general law regulations while ponds that produce larger trout in fewer numbers have more restrictive regulations. Several ponds where there is no natural reproduction of brook trout are stocked and managed to produce larger than average fish. Wassataquoik Lake in the center of the park is one of the few remaining waters with blueback trout (artic char).” (Full Link HERE | Source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife – MDIFW).
MDIFW Contact information for the Penobscot Region (F)
MDIFW Regional Office
HC 67, Box 1066
Enfield, ME 04493
(207) 732-4132
Learn more about Brook Trouts (Biology and Management): HERE (PDF from MDIFW)
To buy your Maine fishing licenses online: HERE
If you are looking for fishing equipments and more precise tips from local experts, make sure to check in with ALVIN THERIAULT (Fly tying material and fishing flies – WEBSITE) located in Sherman as well as TWO RIVERS CANOE & TACKLE in Medway (WEBSITE). There are also a number of guides and campgrounds all along the byway that specializes in helping visitors make the best of their fishing expeditions.
Watch video featuring Alvin Theriault suggesting a few local fishing spots.
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