Guided float trip
Usually supplied by the guide; a 9′ 5–6 weight if you bring your own · Trout on most western float rivers
Open checklist
The Forks & the upper Kennebec
The Forks is the settlement in western Maine where the Dead River joins the Kennebec, downstream of Harris Station dam on Indian Pond.
- Maine · East
- 5 waters
- 8 guides nearby
- 2 shops nearby
- BGR airport · 67 mi
Photo credit
Paddlers preparing to canoe the Kennebec River at The Forks, Maine (Old Canada Road Scenic Byway). Photo: Mary Lou Ridley (U.S. National Archives, Digital Photographs Relating to America's Byways), public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
More about The Forks & the upper Kennebec
The Forks is the settlement in western Maine where the Dead River joins the Kennebec, downstream of Harris Station dam on Indian Pond; upstream, the Kennebec leaves Moosehead Lake at the East Outlet, and the Moose River runs into Moosehead from Jackman to the north-west.
Waters around The Forks
About this
Tap a water for its live flow, access map, regulations and hatches.
Catch and releasePhoto credit
Wyman Lake on the Kennebec River near Moscow, Maine (the impoundment above the Solon tailwater). Photo: Paul VanDerWerf, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Heritage Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Pickerel PondPhoto credit
Rangeley Lake, Maine. Photo: Manuel Velazquez, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Pickerel Pond.
Heritage Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Horseshoe PondPhoto credit
Mooselookmeguntic Lake from Oquossoc, Maine. Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Horseshoe Pond.
Heritage Trout WaterRepresentative photo · not Fish PondPhoto credit
Lake Jocassee from a canoe, South Carolina. Photo: TimothyJ from Atlanta, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Fish Pond.
Catch and releaseRepresentative photo · not Island PondPhoto credit
Sunset at Lake Moultrie, South Carolina. Photo: Kcstanfield, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Island Pond.
Island Pond
Maine · 9 mi from The Forks
Distances and official pages
The rivers, lakes or flats this hub is organised around, each with its straight-line distance from The Forks. Within 40 miles a water's own page names this hub as near; a farther one shows its distance instead. Where a nearby guide names a water on its own website, we say how many do. Access, seasons and special regulations differ by reach: check the agency pages under license and rules.
- Kennebec River1 mi from The Forks in a straight line · named on 3 guide websites nearby
- Pickerel Pond7 mi from The Forks in a straight line
- Horseshoe Pond8 mi from The Forks in a straight line
- Fish Pond10 mi from The Forks in a straight line
- Island Pond9 mi from The Forks in a straight line
All gauge readings
The first USGS gauge on each water: the latest reading, how it compares with that gauge's record for today's date, the 24-hour trend and the NWS flood stage. Open a water for what the level means.
Reading the gauges around The Forks…
Meet local guides
About this
8 guide listings within 60 miles (3 fly-focused), fly-focused first. Unclaimed listings say so on their page: confirm licensing, rates and dates with the outfitter.
Kennebec River Angler
Caratunk, ME · 8 mi
Float trips · Drift boat · Kennebec & West Branch Penobscot
- Unclaimed
Grant's Kennebago Camps
Rangeley, ME · 41 mi
Lake & stillwater · Beginners & lessons · Kennebago River
- Unclaimed
Maineiac Outfitter, LLC
Clinton, ME · 54 mi
Wade trips · Drift boat · West Branch Penobscot & Kennebec
- Unclaimed
Tonde Guide Service Inc.
Norridgewock, ME · 50 mi
Saltwater & ocean charters · Kennebec & Rangeley Lake
- Unclaimed
Fly shops nearby
About this
2 shop listings in the towns around The Forks, fly shops first. Confirm hours with the shop before you go.
Fish around The Forks
About this
Species the state agency lists on the waters here. A species listed for one water is not a promise for every water.
Brook trout
Listed on 4 waters here
Photo credit
Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rainbow trout
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Brown trout
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Brown trout (Salmo trutta), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service illustration. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Atlantic salmon
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), illustration by Timothy Knepp for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Timothy Knepp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Striped bass
Listed on 1 water here
Photo credit
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis), illustration by Duane Raver for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photo: Duane Raver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Agency species and seasons (26 waters)
Taken from the state agency pages of 26 waters around The Forks, each on its own water page with the agency link. Seasons are quoted word for word and apply to the water named.
- Brook Trout12 waters
- Bass1 water
- Brown trout1 water
- Landlocked salmon1 water
- Rainbow trout1 water
- Round whitefish1 water
- Striped bass1 water
“From Indian Pond Dam in Indian Stream Twp, Somerset County, downstream to the upstream side of the Abenaki (lower) Dam in Madison (see separate listing for Wyman Lake): CI ( Closed to ice fishing ). From April 1 - October 31: ALO ( Artificial lures only )”
Kennebec River · Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, read 2026-10-14
“From the Abenaki (lower) Dam in Madison downstream to the red markers near the Skowhegan Rest Area: ALO ( Artificial lures only ). Open to ice and open water fishing from January 1 - December 31.”
Kennebec River · Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, read 2026-10-14
“Striped Bass - From May 1 - June 30, inclusive: ALO (single hook); use or possession of marine bait, dead or alive, is prohibited; any striped bass caught shall be immediately released alive”
Kennebec River · Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, read 2026-10-14
Species guides mention (7)
Counted from the species each guide lists on its own site. This is what guides advertise, not an agency species list or a promise of what you will catch.
- Brook trout6
- Brown trout4
- Lake trout3
- Rainbow trout3
- Smallmouth bass3
- Arctic grayling1
- Chinook salmon1
- Coho salmon1
Things to know
Fishing license: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
Fees on the agency page.
Not verified by us
Getting there
BGR Bangor International Airport · 67 mi
Regulations and access
Seasons, limits and access: agency pages.
Official license and rules pages
Buy the license from the agency and read its current regulations before you go. These links are the authoritative pages; nothing on this page grants or implies access to any water, and fees are only shown when read from the agency page on a stated date.
- Maine fishing laws and rulesMaine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
- Maine fish stocking reportMaine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
Nothing here grants or implies access to any water.
Women-led and women’s trips
About this
Near The Forks & the upper Kennebec. From each business's own website, not checked by us. Plan around them in the trip planner.
- Tonde Guide Service Inc.Guide · Norridgewock · 50 miWomen's trips: from their website, read oct 20, 2026
Veteran-owned and veteran programs
About this
Near The Forks & the upper Kennebec. Each fact comes from the business's own website, an official register or an approved claim; the listing page links the source.
- Maineiac Outfitter, LLCGuide · Clinton · 54 miVeterans on the team · from their website
The The Forks & the upper Kennebec area
About this
The circle is the 60-mile area this page covers, around The Forks. Tap a water for its page. Shops and guides appear where they publish a street address on their own website; all of them are listed above.
Map of the The Forks & the upper Kennebec area: its waters, shops and guides
Map of The Forks & the upper Kennebec: the 60-mile area this page covers, its waters, and shops and guides with an exact address.
Restrooms near The Forks & the upper Kennebec
Restrooms near The Forks & the upper Kennebec
Restrooms within 5 miles of the centre of The Forks & the upper Kennebec in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
Map of the restroom near The Forks & the upper Kennebec
Skip the map; every place is in the list belowMap of 1 restroom near The Forks & the upper Kennebec, numbered as in the list, with the town centre marked.
Restroom
0.7 mi away in a straight line- Vault or pit toilet (mapped)
Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.
We don't know yet: is it clean? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
- Is it clean?
- Free?
- Open to everyone?
- Step-free?
Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Base yourself nearby
About this
The Forks and West Forks are the two small settlements at the confluence; Bingham to the south and Jackman to the north are the nearest towns. We do not list or price properties. The search opens an outside site.
Nearest airports
About this
Distances are straight-line from the town centre, computed from OurAirports open data; distances by road are longer. Fares are never estimated here.
- BGR Bangor International AirportBangor, ME · 67 mi · regionalSearch flights
- AUG Augusta State AirportAugusta, ME · 71 mi · regionalSearch flights
- RKD Knox County Regional AirportRockland, ME · 98 mi · regionalSearch flights
- PWM Portland International JetportPortland, ME · 119 mi · major hubSearch flights
Rough out the trip
About this
Set nights, anglers and guided days. Each line says where its figure comes from, and anything we cannot source honestly (guide rates, fares, license fees not read from the agency page) stays a link rather than a number.
Estimates, not quotes
- Fishing licenseSee sourceAgency page
Source
One per angler (2 anglers). Fees are set by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife; see the agency page.
Source: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife - Guided days3 rates pagesKennebec River AnglerGrant's Kennebago CampsSwamp Fox Guide Service
Source
1 guided day for 2 anglers. We do not copy guide rates: 3 guides near here publish a rates page on their own website.
Source: Guide websites (rates pages linked, never copied) - Find lodgingSee sourceSearch lodging
Source
Search places to stay near the destination. We do not list or price properties.
Source: Lodging search link - FlightsSee sourceSearch flights
Source
Fares are not estimated here. Search flights to BGR (Bangor International Airport).
Source: Flight search link (no fares quoted)
No priced itemsUse the links for real figures.
How we estimate
Estimates, not quotes. Nothing here is a price from a guide, a property or an airline; confirm every cost with the provider before you book. No placeholder lodging range is configured for this region, and licenses, guided days and flights are never priced here.
Parks, forests and visitor offices
About this
For the non-fishing days, or the people traveling with you. Official sources only; what to do there is for their pages to say.
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail (it crosses the Kennebec at Caratunk)National Park Service
- Maine state parksMaine Bureau of Parks and Lands · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
- Visit MaineMaine Office of Tourism · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
Gear checklist
About this
What to bring on a guided float fishing trip: rain gear, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, a dry bag and your license. Most guides supply rods and flies. Estimated prices and where to buy.
Watch: what to expect on a guided float trip
About this
What the guide brings, what you bring, how the day runs.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
FLOATING ETIQUETTE (fly fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube HOW TO FLY FISH FROM A DRIFT BOATEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Not sponsored All videos on guided float
Stories from Maine
About this
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly, tagged with a water in Maine.
No Maine stories yet.
Sources for this page
All 8 sources
Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories (open map records checked against each business’s own website). Everything else links to the publisher below; this page copies none of their text. A destination hub organises discovery; it does not assert public access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: fishing licensesMaine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
- Maine fishing laws and rulesMaine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
- Maine fish stocking reportMaine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail (it crosses the Kennebec at Caratunk)National Park Service
- Maine state parksMaine Bureau of Parks and Lands · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
- Visit MaineMaine Office of Tourism · not verified by us (the site blocks automated checks): check the agency’s site
- OurAirports open data (airport locations)OurAirports, public domain
- Overture Maps places (guide and shop map records)Overture Maps Foundation, CDLA-Permissive 2.0
Links checked 22 Oct 2026. Not a claim of access or conditions.