November in Maine means deer season is in full swing, the leaves are down, and winter is nipping at our heels. But before you hang up your rod and waders for the season, there are still plenty of fish to catch! Cooler water temperatures bring trout and salmon back into the shallows, fall stocking efforts offer fresh opportunities, and fewer anglers mean more room to cast a line.
Maine's fisheries biologists are busier this time of year than Santa's elves in December, but they took a little time out from their fall fieldwork to share what's biting, where to go, and a few tips for making the most of November fishing. Read the full report for recommendations from around the state, then grab your gear, bundle up, and make the most of the remaining open-water season!
What's biting around Maine?
Fall stocking efforts are bringing fresh fishing opportunities across Maine. Hatcheries have been busy stocking brook, brown, and rainbow trout, including yearling fish in the 10–14-inch range. In southern Maine, try Crystal Lake in Gray, Otter Ponds #2 and #4 in Standish, or Chaffin Pond in Windham. Heading Downeast? Williams Pond, Six Mile Lake, Keenes Lake, Bubble Pond, and Berry Patch Pond are all good bets for colorful brook trout.
If you're hoping to hook a bigger fish, November is also a great time to target brown trout. Long Pond in Belgrade is known for impressive browns, including fish that can tip the scales at double digits. Downeast, try Walker Pond in Brooksville, Pennamaquan and Round Lakes in Charlotte, or Simpsons Pond in Roque Bluffs and Fox Pond in T-10 SD. Recent surveys have turned up brown trout over 20 inches in these smaller ponds!
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Rivers are worth exploring, too. Several central Maine coastal rivers were recently stocked with brook and brown trout, and stocking at many road crossings makes finding access a little easier. Check out the St. George, Medomak, Megunticook, Pemaquid, or Nezinscot Rivers. Further west, the Dead River also remains open through November.
For landlocked salmon, Lake St. George in Liberty is a good bet, with plenty of salmon around 20 inches and a chance at fish topping four pounds. Flagstaff Lake is another spot worth trying for quality salmon, while the Kennebec River's East Outlet and Prong Pond offer late-season opportunities in the Moosehead Region.
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Togue anglers take note: Schoodic Lake in Brownville and Lake View Plantation is open to fall fishing for togue and landlocked salmon this year under special regulations. Togue under 23 inches may be harvested without a minimum size or bag limit, while togue over 23 inches have a one-fish daily limit. These regulations are part of an effort to improve the growth and overall health of both togue and landlocked salmon.
Looking for somewhere a little off the beaten path? Western Maine has several smaller ponds worth checking out. MacDougall Pond in Carratunk may be just eight acres, but it reaches 45 feet deep and gets stocked with brook trout in both spring and fall. Round Pond in Rangeley is known for good trout holdover, while Ironbound (Wentworth) Pond between Solon and Athens offers brook trout, brown trout, splake, smallmouth bass, and white perch.
And don't count northern Maine out just yet! While many northern waters close to protect native salmonids during spawning season, several stocked waters remain open through November. Try Mud Pond or Nickerson Lake in Linneus, Spaulding Lake in Oakfield, Conroy Lake in Monticello, or Trafton and Durepo Lakes in Limestone. For a fishing trip with a view, head to Abol Pond in Baxter State Park for brook trout and beautiful views of Mount Katahdin
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