East Outlet Kennebec - Maine
There’s something quietly magical about heading out to the East Outlet of the Kennebec River in the fall. As Moosehead Lake begins to take on its autumn glow, the East Outlet remains open—fly-fishing only, catch-and-release—while many rivers are already shut down. That extended season gives anglers a rare window to fish in cooler, clearer water, with fewer crowds and fish in full color, staging for their spawn. It’s precisely this late open stretch that makes the East Outlet one of Maine’s most treasured salmon fisheries.
During October, landlocked salmon and brook trout drop out of Moosehead Lake into the river, seeking gravel shoals to spawn. The cooler water, coupled with the instinctual pull of spawning, tends to concentrate fish in runs, tail-outs, deeper pools, and near structure. Fly anglers often report seeing brilliant chrome flashes and golden hues in male salmon, as well as richly colored brookies. Streamers that imitate smelt or other baitfish suddenly become very effective, especially early and late in the day. As the season deepens, smaller flies—tiny olives, midges—can also trigger a surface response in low light. Because everything is open fly-only and catch-and-release during much of this late stretch (see regulation details below), there’s a strong emphasis on patient presentation and respecting the fishery.
Regulations treat this river with care. From the dam at Moosehead Lake downstream to red markers at Indian Pond, April 1 through September 30 you’re allowed one fish daily (either brook trout, landlocked salmon, or togue) with a minimum length of 14 inches for trout and salmon. Then in October, all trout, salmon, and togue must be released alive—no harvesting. From November 1 through April 1, only the stretch from the Dam to the Beach Pool remains open, and still under fly-fishing-only, catch-and-release rules. Also, note that the fishway at the East Outlet Dam is permanently closed to fishing, and the area within 50 feet of it is off-limits at all times.
On the conservation front, there are a few recent efforts that tie nicely into sustaining this river for the fall runs. In 2018, a trapping study at the East Outlet Dam showed that natural reproduction of wild landlocked salmon has been steadily increasing, especially following the installation of spawning channels during dam relicensing in the late 1990s. The area around Moosehead Lake is also seeing land conservation momentum: a large 3,000-acre tract on Scammon Ridge, including important cold-water habitats and undeveloped shoreline, was permanently conserved, helping buffer the East Outlet watershed from development pressures and protecting water quality. Moreover, regional planning for the Moosehead Lake region has incorporated zoning changes to limit development around Indian Pond and other critical water bodies, in order to preserve the ecological character of the area.
If you’re aiming to chase salmon or brook trout, fall on the East Outlet is hard to beat: the combination of strong natural behavior, beautiful colors, less traffic, regulated protection, and supportive conservation all add up to an experience that feels more meaningful than just “fishing.” Just be sure to check current flows and regulations first, dress warmly for dawn or dusk, and savor the quieter moments (and flashes of chrome) that late-season fishing here delivers.
