Our region of Maine is one of the last strong holds for Native brook trout. Brookies can be found in almost any of the free flowing waters throughout the area. Outstanding brook trout can be found in the regions lakes and ponds. Brook trout up to four pounds are taken annually from the Fish River Chain of Lakes.
Lake Trout or Togue as they are known locally can be found in the lakes of the Allagash River Chain as well as the Fish River Chain of Lakes. Both open water and ice anglers find the fish plentiful and the action fast.
Landlocked Salmon are considered by many to be the king of the game fish in the region. In 2008 Long Lake of the Fish River Chain located in St. Agatha and Madawaska was rated as one of the top landlocked salmon waters in New England and with good reason. This body of water regularly produces salmon six pounds and over!
The St. John Watershed once known for its brook trout fishery is now home to muskellunge. Muskie were stocked by the Quebec Government in Lac Frontier, the headwaters for the Northwest Branch of the St. John. From here, muskies infiltrated the entire St. John River system. Today there is a thriving muskie fishery that is unique to other fisheries in North America.
Much of the fishing takes place on the three lakes. Baker Lake located in Piscataquis County was the first downstream water to produce a viable fishery. Later Beau and Glazier Lake on the St. Francis River a tributary of the St. John started producing good fish. The current state record muskie came from Glazier Lake and was taken through the ice.
The jewel of the fishery is the main stem of the St. John itself. The northern sections of the river accessible by traveling through Fort Kent to Allagash and into the North Maine Woods will bring anglers to sections of the river that will see few anglers during the course of a season. Fluctuating water levels can make river travel difficult in the summer months. The road system inside of the North Maine Woods has many access points either right to the river or just a short hike from conventional vehicle access.
Today the Town of Fort Kent holds an annual International Muskie Derby each August. On average 400 to 600 anglers participate in this three day event. Some anglers will find sections of the river to fish during this event and not see another angler.
