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Madawaska Lake

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Maine, United States

24 catches

Top fish species at Madawaska Lake

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Madawaska Lake fishing reports

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Yellow perch

9 in · 3 oz

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Brook trout

length · weight

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Atlantic rainbow smelt

length · weight

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Atlantic rainbow smelt

length · weight

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Brook trout

length · weight

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Brook trout

length · weight

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General info

Madawaska Lake is a lake located in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. It is most popular for fishing Brook trout, Yellow perch, and Atlantic rainbow smelt.

Location

47°01′28.9″N 68°13′11.4″W
Directions

Fishing regulations at Madawaska Lake, ME

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Maine can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Brook trout

Brook trout

Regulation boundaryMaine State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size6" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Restrictions & requirements

Gigging

Harvest by gigging prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

ME Illegal Fishing

Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish other than with a single baited hook and line, artificial flies or artificial lures and spinners. This does not apply to hook and line smelt fishing. All other rules and regulations governing the taking of smelt apply.Use of gaff is unlawful.Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to possess any grapnel, trawl, weir, seine, gill net, trap, set line or drop net on or adjacent to any of the inland waters of Maine. Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish with a grapnel, spear, spear gun, trawl, weir, gaff, seine, gill net, trap, or set lines. Unless otherwise provided by rule, the number of lines an angler may fish at any one time is limited to two lines while open water fishing and five lines while ice fishing. At no time may an angler fish with more than five lines. 

ME Removal of Head and Tail

It is unlawful to alter the length of landlocked salmon, trout, togue, lake whitefish, and bass unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking. It is unlawful to possess or transport fish dressed in such a manner that the species of fish cannot be identified; unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking (smoking does not constitute cooking).

ME Snagging

It is unlawful to fish for any fish, except suckers, by snagging.

ME Explosives and Chemicals

It is unlawful to take or destroy any fish by use of an explosive, poisonous or stupefying substance. 

ME Live Baitfish

In the North Zone: Use or possession of LIVE FISH as bait is PROHIBITED. The use of all other legal forms of bait (including worms and dead baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED. In the South Zone: Use of all legal forms of bait (including live baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED.

Required licenses
A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters or transport fish taken from inland waters. 
Additional information
Rivers, streams, brooks:April 1 to August 15: Open to open water fishing.August 16 to September 30: Open to open water fishing using artificial lures or flies only. General law length and bag limits apply, except daily bag limit one landlocked salmon and one brook trout.October 1 to March 31: Closed to all fishing.Lakes and ponds North Zone: April 1 to September 30: Open to open water fishing.October 1 to March 31: Closed to all fishing.Lakes and ponds South ZoneJanuary 1 to December 31: Open to ice and open water fishing, bag limit = 2 brook trout, splake, or arctic charr (in total)See here for site specific regulations
Synonyms
Salvelinus fontinalis, brookie, coaster, speckled trout
Season open: year-round
Yellow perch

Yellow perch

Regulation boundaryMaine State Waters
Restrictions & requirements

ME Illegal Fishing

Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish other than with a single baited hook and line, artificial flies or artificial lures and spinners. This does not apply to hook and line smelt fishing. All other rules and regulations governing the taking of smelt apply.Use of gaff is unlawful.Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to possess any grapnel, trawl, weir, seine, gill net, trap, set line or drop net on or adjacent to any of the inland waters of Maine. Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish with a grapnel, spear, spear gun, trawl, weir, gaff, seine, gill net, trap, or set lines. Unless otherwise provided by rule, the number of lines an angler may fish at any one time is limited to two lines while open water fishing and five lines while ice fishing. At no time may an angler fish with more than five lines. 

ME Removal of Head and Tail

It is unlawful to alter the length of landlocked salmon, trout, togue, lake whitefish, and bass unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking. It is unlawful to possess or transport fish dressed in such a manner that the species of fish cannot be identified; unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking (smoking does not constitute cooking).

ME Snagging

It is unlawful to fish for any fish, except suckers, by snagging.

ME Explosives and Chemicals

It is unlawful to take or destroy any fish by use of an explosive, poisonous or stupefying substance. 

ME Live Baitfish

In the North Zone: Use or possession of LIVE FISH as bait is PROHIBITED. The use of all other legal forms of bait (including worms and dead baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED. In the South Zone: Use of all legal forms of bait (including live baitfish/smelts), artificial lures, and artificial flies is PERMITTED.

Required licenses
A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters or transport fish taken from inland waters. 
Additional information
No bag limit. No size limit.Rivers, streams, brooks:April 1 to August 15: Open to open water fishing.August 16 to September 30: Open to open water fishing.October 1 to March 31: Closed to all fishing.Lakes and ponds North Zone: April 1 to September 30: Open to open water fishing.October 1 to March 31: Closed to all fishing.Lakes and ponds South ZoneJanuary 1 to December 31: Open to ice and open water fishing.
Edibility
Good
Synonyms
Perca flavescens
Season open: year-round
Atlantic rainbow smelt

Atlantic rainbow smelt

Regulation boundaryMaine State Waters
Restrictions & requirements

ME Illegal Fishing

Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish other than with a single baited hook and line, artificial flies or artificial lures and spinners. This does not apply to hook and line smelt fishing. All other rules and regulations governing the taking of smelt apply.Use of gaff is unlawful.Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to possess any grapnel, trawl, weir, seine, gill net, trap, set line or drop net on or adjacent to any of the inland waters of Maine. Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful to fish with a grapnel, spear, spear gun, trawl, weir, gaff, seine, gill net, trap, or set lines. Unless otherwise provided by rule, the number of lines an angler may fish at any one time is limited to two lines while open water fishing and five lines while ice fishing. At no time may an angler fish with more than five lines. 

ME Removal of Head and Tail

It is unlawful to alter the length of landlocked salmon, trout, togue, lake whitefish, and bass unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking. It is unlawful to possess or transport fish dressed in such a manner that the species of fish cannot be identified; unless the fish are being prepared for immediate cooking (smoking does not constitute cooking).

Required licenses
A valid Maine fishing license is required for anyone 16 years of age or older to fish in inland waters or transport fish taken from inland waters.
Additional information
Regulations are for sea run rainbow smelt.Statewide: It shall be unlawful to fish for or take smelts from the coastal waters by any means other than a dip net or by hook and line. It shall be unlawful to stand in the water of any coastal river, brook, or stream while fishing for smelts. Zone 1: From the New Hampshire border to Owl's Head Light in Rockland. At no time are you allowed to use a dip net to take smelts in zone 1. From January 1- March 14 you may fish for or take smelts by hook and line through the ice, only while ice is present. You may not take or possess more than 4 quarts during this time period. If ice is present on/after March 15 you may fish for or take smelts by hook and line through the ice. You may not take/possess more than 2 quarts. You may fish for or take smelts by hook and line from October 1-December 31. You may not take or possess more than 4 quarts during this time period. Zone 2: East of Owl's Head in Rockland to Naskeag Point in Brooklin. From March 15 to June 30, both days inclusive, the season the bag limit is 1 quart of smelts per day. No smelt fishing on Tuesday's and Wednesday's. From July 1 through March 14, both days inclusive, it is only legal to fish for smelts in the coastal waters of the State using hook and line. This seasons bag limit is 4 quarts of smelts per day. Zone 3: East of Naskeag Point to the head of tide on the St. Croix River. From March 15 through June 30, both days inclusive, the seasons bag limit is 2 quarts of smelts per day. From July 1 through March 14, both days inclusive, there is no daily limit. For additional information, see MAINE SEA RUN RAINBOW SMELT REGULATIONS
Edibility
Excellent, apparently they smell like watermelon or cucumber when they come out of the water.
Synonyms
Osmerus mordax, Rainbow smelt
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Local laws and licenses

Maine fishing license

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Cities nearby

Caribou

15.3 miles away

Grand Isle

19.7 miles away

Presque Isle

25.8 miles away

Oakfield

63.8 miles away

Island Falls

70.3 miles away

Patten

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Danforth

95.8 miles away

Mattawamkeag

104.3 miles away

Fredericton

104.9 miles away

Vanceboro

107.5 miles away

Brownville Junction

122.5 miles away

Calais

139.1 miles away

Lévis

140.7 miles away

Quebec City

141.7 miles away

Old Town

145.4 miles away

Bradley

147.2 miles away

L’Ancienne-Lorette

148.5 miles away

Veazie

152.7 miles away

Corinna

153.6 miles away

Bangor

153.9 miles away

Quispamsis

154.6 miles away

Brewer

156.8 miles away

Eastport

156.8 miles away

Saint John

158.2 miles away

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FAQ about Madawaska Lake fishing

📍 Where is Madawaska Lake located?
Madawaska Lake is a lake located in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. Its coordinates are:
47°01′28.9″N 68°13′11.4″W
.
🎣 Where on Madawaska Lake is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Madawaska Lake by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Madawaska Lake?
The most common species in Madawaska Lake are:
📢 What are the latest Madawaska Lake fishing reports?
The latest Madawaska Lake fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Madawaska Lake right now?
According to fishing regulations at Madawaska Lake, some of the species in season this November include: Black sea bass, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Haddock. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Madawaska Lake?

Fishing in Maine requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination permits, available online or at licensed agents.

In Maine, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16. Residents 70 and older qualify for a discounted license. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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