Maine's Native Landlocked Salmon

by Isaac Niblack

I hooked into my first landlocked in early November on a skinny tributary in northern New England. I was wrapping up one of my most productive striped bass seasons and found myself lamenting that the season of big fish was over.  I had chased the last schoolies of the fall run down Cape Cod, hooking into blitzing bass on the beach in the ubiquitously nasty gales of late fall in New England.  On my way back, I stopped into a fly shop to reload on some tying materials, and chatted with the proprietor about the season’s conclusion.  Off-handedly, he asked if I had fished the salmon run yet.  I thought it was too late in the year, and choosing striper over salmonids had always been an easy decision to me when weighing the potential of tussling with a 20 pound fish. 

So as the latest storm pounded surf and wind into my favorite striper hunting grounds, I turned north instead of south, winding through grey, pre-winter forests of New England, crossing innumerable streams and brooks that had once held native brook trout but were long since extirpated. There was one particular blue line on my map that held the promise of a spawning run of landlocked salmon.  However, the wind and rain that prevented me from enjoying the surf casting had also run its course on the small river valley.

Water levels were painfully high.  I stood looking at runs that should have been gin clear, now three feet higher and stained brown with mud. Passing anglers were all too willing to engage in small talk, making it apparent that most were calling it early. But as any good fisherman knows, you don’t catch fish with your fly out of the water.  As I worked my way through each bend, riffle, and hole, I knew that I wasn’t in the right zone with my fly.  

There was a particular ‘S’ shaped bend that emptied into an undercut bank and a deep hole that I just refused to believe did not hold fish, and I wanted one last shot before heading for dry clothes and a hot cup of coffee.  In order to give myself a better shot, I traded my trout rod for my 8 weight striper rod with a full sinking line. Snags be damned. I tied on a fly that had no business being cast for salmon, a garishly bright clouser variation in size 2/0, and I was grateful that only my fishing partner was there to see me make this choice.  What surprised me most turned out not to be that a salmon would take this fly, but that I was hearing my drag from a freshwater fish on my saltwater setup.

While the size of the fish was impressive, I would go on to catch many of its equal after I moved to Maine.  But my perception of what these quiet northern streams and forests hold in their waters was forever changed. The acrobatics, the colorations, and the environment which brought this 26” hen to my net would be the moment that changed my obsession from striper to salmon.

A Brief History of Landlocked Salmon in Maine

The landlocked salmon (Salmo salar sebago) is an important fish species in Maine, holding both ecological and recreational significance. One of the state’s most iconic angling quarries, the state officially adopted the landlocked salmon as the state fish in 1969. Although genetically identical to the Atlantic salmon (and phenotypically up for debate), the landlocked variety has adapted to complete its entire life cycle in freshwater lakes and rivers, making it a unique feature of Maine's inland waters, with populations also found in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

The history of the landlocked salmon is closely tied to Maine's indigenous people and early settlers, who relied on them as a vital food source. Historically, Maine's native populations relied heavily on the abundance of these fish to provide food. For the Wabanaki Confederacy, which includes the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet, and Abenaki tribes, salmon, both sea-run and landlocked, were a vital resource and held deep cultural significance. The salmon were a primary food source, with annual runs celebrated and managed sustainably for countless generations. The fish are integral to their traditional diet, economy, and spiritual beliefs.

In southern Maine for example, some archaeological evidence has shown that permanent or semi-permanent settlements may have existed around landlocked salmon populations in the Holocene Era, particularly around the Sebago Lake watershed.  The bounty of the fish was on par with their sea-run cousins, but being part of a smaller or nonexistent migratory pattern allowed populations to thrive on the consistency of the resource.

But by the mid-19th century, landlocked salmon populations began to face severe threats, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation. The construction of dams for mills and power generation blocked spawning runs, preventing salmon from accessing necessary headwater streams. Logging practices also led to increased siltation and warmer water temperatures, which were detrimental to the cold-water-loving fish.

In response to these declines, Maine became a pioneer in fish culture and stocking programs. Sebago Lake is often recognized as the starting point for these efforts. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, state hatcheries began actively rearing and stocking landlocked salmon across hundreds of lakes throughout Maine. Although controversial among certain circles of conservationists, this work has led to a number of quality wild and stocking supported fisheries throughout the state.  The two genetic strains of salmon utilized for these efforts come primarily from the Sebago Lake and Grand Lake populations.  

Where can I fish for landlocked salmon in Maine?

The presence of landlocked salmon in Maine dates back to the end of the last Ice Age, approximately 10,000 years ago. As the glaciers receded, Atlantic salmon were trapped in freshwater drainages. Over time, these isolated populations evolved into the distinct, non-migratory (at least to the salt) form known today. Historically, these four drainages in Maine were noted for sustaining native, landlocked populations:

• The Sebago Lake system
• The Sebec Lake/Piscataquis River system (part of the Penobscot River drainage)
• The Green Lake system
• The Grand Lake system

Given their popularity, landlocked salmon are pursued year-round in Maine, with distinct methods for each season.  They can be highly aggressive and piscivorous, making them best targeted via trolling, bait casting, and jigging through the ice. But for the attentive fly angler, we remain in tune with the shifting migratory and seasonal patterns of both the fish and its quarry, matching our fly selections in the moment. 

What are the best flies to use for landlocked salmon in Maine?

Our season starts each April with the arrival of open water season.  Fish movement can vary depending on the severity of the winter, but the high spring water is conducive to fish passage. Salmon have a particular affinity for smelt, making these imitations prime choices for the early season. Golden retrievers, white retrievers, and even traditional smelt are all highly visible in turbid water and signal to the salmon that there is a high calorie snack headed their way.  

As mud season gives way to proper spring, the rising temperatures allow the riparian bug life to begin their own life cycles. We find that insect emergers become one of the baseline foods in the salmon buffet - swinging soft hackles, mayfly imitations, caddis pupa - often entices more selective fish this time of year as they key into hatches sub surface.

Summer brings some of the most uncertainty in the salmon fishing game. Fish typically separate into two populations - those that seek refuge under dams and whitewater, and those that retreat into the deeper lakes and ponds.  Both of these coldwater refuges present different challenges. Whether nymphing deep runs and pools or patiently ticking a leech along the bottom on a full sink line in the lakes, there are always hungry salmon to be found!

Fall is about finding the right fish.  Salmon move upstream to spawn in October and November, depending on the river, but many will spawn on shoals and in outlets in the lakes and ponds.  Not every fish wants to eat, but with reproduction on their minds, these fish will often be more aggressive.  Males will chase away perceived threats, making flies like gartsides, bright retrievers, and  bunny leeches productive. Hungry from their migration, some fish will look for high quality snacks like stoneflies. We like to keep it moving and find the pockets where fish are willing partners. 

When open water season closes, and as fall slides into the cold darkness of winter, the freezing temperatures lock up most ponds and lakes around the holidays.  But the water that remains open will be extremely clear, making small flies like midges, walt’s worm, and perdigons our flies of choice.  The bite may be slow, but work each pool meticulously, and it can reward the patient angler. An extra bonus is that there are rarely any crowds to contend with us for our favorite spots. And don’t worry, we will make sure to have plenty of hot drinks and hand warmers ready to go!

Where do you guide for landlocked salmon in Maine?

I think most visitors would be surprised to learn that they can find productive salmon fishing within an hour of Maine’s largest city, Portland.  The Sebago Lake watershed, including the Presumpscot  and Crooked Rivers, provides ample opportunities.   Often tough and technical, this fishery can reward the patient angler with trophy sized native fish all while being a short drive from James Beard winning restaurants.

The most recognizable region in Maine fly fishing, Rangeley Lakes is also home to big salmon.  The deep, cold lakes and granite studded rivers draw anglers from all over the country to test their mettle against the fish, the black flies, and the challenging freestones.  But there is a reason that this region has its reputation - high numbers of fish to net, trophy sized trout and salmon, and the quiet of the big north woods of Maine.  From the Magalloway on the western edge of the region to the winding Dead River, let us show you why Rangeley remains a head above the rest. 

Speaking of iconic destinations, Grand Lake Stream sits on the far eastern edge of Washington County.  One of the four native watersheds of landlocked salmon, GLS ( as it’s known by the locals) still holds a strong run of quality salmon.  While the fishery is under immense pressure from invasive smallmouth bass, the early spring and late fall opportunities still rival the best in the state, and offer a great opportunity for you to challenge yourself as an angler. 

Although not limited to the shoulder season, I end my year with a personal trip each November to the Moosehead Lake region.  While most northwoods residents are turning their focus to whitetail pursuits, I find the quiet falling snow and vacant runs perfect for experimenting with flies and late season techniques. From the West Branch of the Penobscot to the East Outlet of the Kennebec to the innumerable hike-in backcountry trout ponds this region allows us as guides to put our clients on the right water at the right time, almost year round.