Hook and line only, no gaffing of striped bass.
CATCH & RELEASE SEASON WITH SPECIAL GEAR RESTRICTIONS From May 1 through June 30, inclusive. Fishing in this area is restricted to single hooked* artificial lures only and use of or possession of marine bait, dead or alive, is prohibited. (* may be a single treble hook)
OPEN SEASON: July 1 through November 30, inclusive.
CLOSED SEASON: Striped bass fishing is prohibited from December 1 through June 30, inclusive (exception catch & release season with special gear restrictions).
For more information, see 2023 Maine Striped Bass Regulations.
The Kennebec watershed is defined as all coastal waters inside and upstream of a line drawn from the outer extremity of Cape Small, in Phippsburg, to the outer extremity of Salter Island, thence to the outer extremity of Cape Newagen, in Southport. This area includes the coastal waters of Popham Beach and the adjoining State Park, Reid State Park, and all riverine waters of the Kennebec, Sheepscot, and Androscoggin Rivers including all bays and tributaries of those rivers to the head of tide. Due to the removal of Edwards dam, the "head of tide" in the Kennebec River is now at the downstream side of the power line located approximately 4,200 feet upstream of the Calumet Bridge at Old Fort Western in Augusta (formerly the Father Curran Bridge) for enforcement purposes.