Maine fishing rules start with one question: North Zone or South Zone?
Maine’s general fishing laws change by zone, water type, season, bait choice and species. Then thousands of individual lakes, ponds, rivers and brooks can add special codes that override those general rules.
Four rules worth checking before your next Maine trip
Rivers & streams
Through August 15, general-law rivers, streams and brooks are open to open-water fishing.
Artificial-only period
August 16–September 30, general-law rivers and streams switch to artificial lures or flies only, with reduced salmonid bag limits.
Painted lead jigs
Use of qualifying small painted lead jigs becomes prohibited in Maine inland waters.
Current MDIFW edition
Maine is operating under the 2026 Open Water and Ice Fishing Laws.
North Zone and South Zone do not use the same general law
North Zone
NATIVE-FISH FOCUSIncludes Aroostook, Piscataquis, Somerset, Franklin, northern Penobscot and northern Oxford areas as defined by MDIFW.
- Lakes & ponds: April 1–September 30 open to open-water fishing.
- October 1–March 31: general-law lakes and ponds closed to all fishing.
- Live fish as bait: prohibited under general law.
- A specific water can override the general law through a special code.
South Zone
MORE YEAR-ROUND ACCESSIncludes York, Cumberland, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Waldo, Knox, Hancock, Washington and the defined southern portions of Oxford and Penobscot.
- Lakes & ponds: January 1–December 31 open to ice and open-water fishing under general law.
- Live baitfish: generally permitted.
- Special waters can still prohibit live bait or restrict season/gear.
Maine rivers, streams & brooks change rules in mid-August
Closed
General-law rivers, streams and brooks are closed to fishing. Special-water listings can create exceptions.
Regular open-water season
General-law open-water fishing is allowed.
Artificial lures or flies only
General length limits remain, but the general-law daily limit is reduced to one landlocked salmon and one brook trout.
Check the listing
ALO, FFO, S-7 or another special law may add tighter restrictions.
Who needs a Maine freshwater fishing license?
A valid Maine fishing license is generally required for anyone age 16 or older who fishes inland waters or transports fish taken from inland waters.
One-time senior lifetime license, subject to eligibility.
Listed fees exclude agent fees where applicable.
A useful resident-land exemption
Subject to Maine’s statutory conditions, a resident and members of the resident’s immediate family may fish without a license in open inland waters from land on which they are legally domiciled when the property consists of at least 10 contiguous acres.
Maine general-law daily bag, possession & length limits
These limits apply to inland waters that are open to fishing unless the individual waterbody listing establishes a different rule.
| Species | Daily bag / possession | Lake / pond length | River / stream length |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Brook trout Includes splake & Arctic charr |
General 5 fish; only 2 from South Zone lakes & ponds | 6″ minimum | 6″ minimum |
| Brown trout | 2 | 14″ minimum | 6″ minimum, 25″ maximum |
| Rainbow trout | 2 | 12″ minimum | 6″ minimum |
| Landlocked salmon | 2 | 14″ minimum | 14″ minimum, 25″ maximum |
| Togue / lake trout | 2 | 18″ minimum | 18″ minimum |
| Bass — North Zone | Unlimited | No general minimum | Check season/special laws |
| Bass — South Zone | 2 | No minimum; only 1 may exceed 14″ | Follow applicable general/special law |
| Lake whitefish | 3 | No general minimum | No general minimum |
| Smelts | 2 quarts | No length minimum | Special tributary rules may apply |
| Sea-run Atlantic salmon | NO FISHING | Protected | Protected |
These short Maine codes can completely change your fishing plan
Maine uses water-specific abbreviations and S-codes so the same statewide lawbook can regulate thousands of individual waters. Always read every code attached to your exact water.
Artificial lures only
Live, dead or chemically preserved natural/organic bait is prohibited.
Fly fishing only
The fishing method must meet Maine’s fly-fishing definition.
Closed to ice fishing
Do not assume South Zone year-round general law overrides this listing.
No live fish as bait
Dead fish, salmon eggs or worms may still be permitted unless another law further restricts bait.
Release salmonids
All trout, landlocked salmon and togue caught must be released alive at once.
Two lines
The individual water is restricted to two lines per person.
North Zone live-bait exception
Live baitfish/live smelts may be used or possessed on a listed North Zone water carrying this code.
Closed to open water
Read the listed dates; the closure may differ from general law.
Can you use live baitfish? The answer flips by zone
North Zone
No, by defaultGeneral law prohibits use or possession of live fish as bait. Look for S-11 on the individual water if live baitfish/live smelts are specifically allowed.
South Zone
Yes, by defaultGeneral law permits legal live baitfish/smelts, but a special S-4, ALO, FFO or other rule can prohibit them.
Maine’s ordinary line limit changes between open water and ice
Unless a more specific rule says otherwise.
Special waters can use S-8 or another restriction.
Maine does not permit an angler to fish more than five lines at one time.
September 1 changes which painted lead jigs you can use
Small painted lead jig
Sale restrictions already apply, but Maine’s new inland-water use prohibition has not yet reached its effective date.
Use becomes prohibited
Painted lead jigs measuring 2.5 inches or less in length or weighing 1 ounce or less may no longer be used in Maine inland waters.
Do not make a legal fish impossible to identify or measure
Length-controlled species
Maine prohibits altering the length of landlocked salmon, trout, togue, lake whitefish and bass unless the fish is being prepared for immediate cooking.
Species identification
Fish may not be possessed or transported dressed so that the species cannot be identified, except during immediate preparation for cooking.
Gift fish
Maine has labeling requirements for certain gift fish possessed by a person without a fishing license at that person’s domicile.
A legal Maine catch is not automatically legal to sell
Maine prohibits buying or selling recreationally taken trout, togue, landlocked salmon, bass, white perch and pickerel, subject to narrow exceptions such as qualifying commercially produced fish.
A 150-foot closure can apply even when the target species is otherwise legal
Maine DMR’s 2026 marine regulations state that dams with fishways, the area within 150 feet of a dam containing a fishway, and within 150 feet of any part of the fishway are closed to fishing for any species.
CLOSED
AROUND FISHWAY
Saltwater fishing uses a registry system rather than the ordinary inland-license rule
Recreational saltwater anglers generally must register annually with Maine unless an exemption applies, and proof of registration or exemption must be carried while fishing or transporting the catch.
Common registry exemptions
- You hold a valid Maine freshwater fishing license other than a Lifetime License.
- You are under age 16.
- You are a passenger on a qualifying Maine-licensed for-hire charter/head boat.
- You are already registered/licensed for saltwater recreational fishing in another state or through the National Registry.
- Qualifying Maine residents fishing only on Memorial Day weekend, July 4 or Labor Day weekend receive the listed registry exemption.
One fish — and only inside a narrow 28–31 inch slot
Maine’s 2026 territorial-water striped bass rule allows one striped bass per day measuring 28 through 31 inches inclusive total length.
Measure total length
DMR defines total length as a straight-line measurement from the lower jaw to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched together.
Federal waters
Fishing for, taking or possessing striped bass in federal waters more than three miles from shore is prohibited.
Using bait changes the hook you are allowed to use
Bait fishing
Circle hookMaine requires a non-offset circle hook when using bait for striped bass.
Treble hooks
No baitBait may not be used on treble hooks.
Method
Hook & lineGaffing striped bass is prohibited.
The ordinary year-round striped-bass season does not apply here
Closed
Striped bass fishing prohibited.
Catch & release only
Single-hooked artificial lures only. Marine bait, dead or alive, may not be possessed.
Open season
Harvest follows the applicable striped-bass limits.
Not just the Kennebec River
The special area includes the Sheepscot, Androscoggin, related bays and tributaries to the defined head of tide.
Maine DMR sea-run rules anglers should not confuse with inland limits
| Species | 2026 marine rule | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic salmon | NO FISHING / NO POSSESSION | Incidental fish must be released alive and uninjured and should not be removed from the water. |
| Atlantic / shortnose sturgeon | NO HARVEST | Incidental fish must be released immediately, alive and uninjured. |
| American eel | 25 per angler/day; 9″ minimum | Personal use only under the recreational rule. |
| American shad | 2 per person/day | Hook and line only; no minimum size. |
| River herring | 25/day | Hook and line or dip net only; non-leased brooks/rivers/streams have a Thursday 6 a.m.–Sunday 6 a.m. closure. |
| Atlantic menhaden | 25/day under the sea-run personal-use sheet | Other non-commercial menhaden fishery provisions can differ depending on gear and fishery participation. |
| Sea-run rainbow trout | 14″ minimum | Included in the five-fish salmonid possession framework shown on the 2026 DMR sea-run sheet. |
| Sea-run brook trout | 6″ minimum | All five salmonids in the applicable DMR grouping may be brook trout. |
| Landlocked salmon / brown trout in tidal waters | 14″ minimum; 25″ maximum | Additional river-specific restrictions apply. |
Maine halibut is a tag-and-season fishery, not an ordinary bag-limit fishery
2026 Maine territorial waters.
No fishing for or landing halibut those days.
Fish kept must be immediately tagged.
Do not rely on an older saltwater summary sheet for these species
Maine DMR adopted new recreational rules on June 30, 2026 for haddock, Atlantic mackerel and bluefish. This is a strong reason to use DMR’s live regulations page before a coastal trip rather than relying only on a saved spring PDF.
Haddock
Maine adopted a reduction of the recreational minimum size from 18 inches to 17 inches to align with the current federal management measure.
Atlantic mackerel
Maine adopted a higher recreational possession limit after federal management changes. Confirm the current live DMR table before harvesting.
Bluefish
A new 2026 recreational bag-limit rule was also adopted June 30. Use the live Chapter 43 / DMR species regulation before keeping fish.
Legal for some species, prohibited for others
Examples DMR says may be spearfished
Winter flounder, summer flounder, cunner, tautog, haddock, Atlantic cod, pollock, bluefish and Atlantic menhaden, subject to their applicable limits.
Examples not legal for spearfishing
Striped bass, black sea bass, Atlantic halibut, Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic salmon and American shad.
Maine fishing regulation checklist
- Identify the exact waterbody. Record the official lake, pond, river or brook name plus town/county.
- Determine North or South Zone. This changes seasons, bass rules and live-bait permissions.
- Open the special-water listing. Look for ALO, FFO, CI, S-codes and date-specific exceptions.
- Save your target-species limit. Bag, possession, minimum and maximum length can all matter.
- Check today’s date. Maine’s river rules change August 16 and several waters add special fall fishing periods.
- Check bait legality. North Zone live-bait rules are especially important.
- Check your tackle before September trips. Maine’s small painted-lead-jig use ban takes effect September 1, 2026.
- For saltwater, confirm registry status. Do not assume a freshwater Lifetime License automatically exempts you.
- Check live DMR updates. Saltwater limits can change during the year through federal/state rulemaking.
- Store the law offline. Maine’s ME Outdoors app offers outdoor-law access and offline capabilities.
Ten Maine fishing-law errors that are easy to make
North Zone general law prohibits live fish as bait unless a special rule allows it.
General-law rivers and streams change to artificial-only fishing.
CI, CO and other special codes can still close a water.
S-8 restricts the listed water to two lines per person.
The 2026 legal slot is 28–31 inches inclusive.
Maine requires the specified non-offset circle hook.
Maine DMR specifically says it does not by itself.
Marine fishway closures extend 150 feet around covered structures.
The new inland-water use prohibition begins September 1.
Haddock, mackerel and bluefish rules were updated in June 2026.
Maine actually provides useful mobile tools for complicated special-water laws
Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool
Search a waterbody, see whether it uses general or special laws, and download its special-law PDF for offline reference.
ME Outdoors app
Store/purchase licenses, find fishing locations and access maps, stocking locations, water access and outdoor laws.
Offline preparation
MDIFW specifically promotes offline capabilities in the ME Outdoors app, useful in remote North Zone waters with poor service.
Call the agency that controls the water
“I’m fishing [exact water] in [town/county] on [date], targeting [species] with [bait/lure]. Can you confirm the zone, season, special codes, bag/possession limit and legal length?”
Official Maine sources behind this guide
The useful rules are summarized above first. These official pages are for water-specific lookup, final live verification and transactions.
Quick answers to Maine regulation questions
What is the difference between Maine’s North and South fishing zones?
The zones have different general-law seasons, bass limits, brook-trout bag limits and bait rules. North Zone general law prohibits use or possession of live fish as bait, while South Zone general law permits legal live baitfish unless a special water rule says otherwise.
Can I fish Maine rivers in late August?
Under general law, rivers, streams and brooks remain open August 16 through September 30, but fishing is restricted to artificial lures or flies. The general-law daily limit is reduced to one landlocked salmon and one brook trout during that period. Special-water rules can differ.
How many fishing lines can I use in Maine?
General law allows two lines during open-water fishing and five lines during ice fishing. An angler may never fish more than five lines at one time. Individual waters can impose tighter restrictions, including S-8 two-line rules.
Can I use live baitfish in Maine’s North Zone?
Not under general law. Use or possession of live fish as bait is prohibited in the North Zone unless the exact water has a special rule such as S-11 allowing live baitfish or live smelts.
What changes on September 1, 2026 for Maine fishing tackle?
Beginning September 1, 2026, Maine prohibits use in inland waters of painted lead jigs that measure 2.5 inches or less or weigh one ounce or less. Comparable small lead sinkers and unpainted lead jigs are already subject to use restrictions.
What is Maine’s 2026 striped bass limit?
In Maine territorial waters the general 2026 rule allows one striped bass per day measuring 28 through 31 inches inclusive total length. The Kennebec watershed and Saco River include important special regulations.
Do I need a circle hook when fishing for striped bass in Maine?
Yes when using bait. Maine’s 2026 striped-bass regulation requires a non-offset circle hook when bait is used, subject to the specified tube-lure exception.
Do I need a Maine saltwater fishing license?
Maine generally uses an annual Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry. Several exemptions apply, including anglers under 16 and many anglers holding a valid Maine freshwater fishing license. A Maine freshwater Lifetime License does not by itself provide the registry exemption.
Can I fish for Atlantic salmon in Maine?
No. It is unlawful to angle for, take or possess Atlantic salmon from Maine waters, including coastal waters. An incidentally caught Atlantic salmon must be released immediately, alive and uninjured, and should not be removed from the water.
What is Maine’s general possession limit?
Maine generally prohibits possessing more fish than may lawfully be taken in one day unless another specific regulation provides otherwise.
Is the 2026 Maine recreational halibut season still open in August?
No. Maine’s 2026 territorial-water recreational halibut season ran May 18 through June 13, with no fishing or landing on Wednesday or Thursday.
Where should I check a specific Maine lake or pond regulation?
Search the exact water in Maine MDIFW’s Special Fishing Laws or Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool. Special rules override the general zone law for the listed water.
Zone first. Waterbody second. Special code third.
Maine fishing regulations become much easier when you follow that order. Identify North or South Zone, find the exact water, read every special code, then check the species limit, season and legal tackle.
Regulation review completed . Maine inland and marine rules can change through annual regulations, special-water rules, newly adopted DMR regulations and emergency actions.