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Fishing regulations at Mattawamkeag River, 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
Smallmouth bass
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.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
The maximum number of trophy individuals legally harvested per harvester per day. A trophy is any individual of a length greater than the max size limit. Trophy individuals are included in the daily bag limit unless stated otherwise.
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.
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.
North Zone: no bag limit, no size limit
South Zone: bag limit = 2 bass; No minimum length. Only 1 bass may exceed 14-inches total length.
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.
- 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 Zone
- January 1 to December 31: Open to ice and open water fishing.
Brook trout
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.
No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.
The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.
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.
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.
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 Zone
- January 1 to December 31: Open to ice and open water fishing, bag limit = 2 brook trout, splake, or arctic charr (in total)
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