Brook trout in Maine

Maine waters

Most fished first. A species missing from an agency list does not mean it is absent; this page lists only waters whose list names it (at least 5 are needed for a page).

• Kennebec RiverAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Pickerel PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Magalloway RiverAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Horseshoe PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Big Notch PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Brown PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Fish PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Grassy PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Rapid RiverAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Trout PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Baker PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Beaver PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Butler PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Kidney PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Little Pleasant PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Lost PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Round PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Round PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Little Beaver PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• Long PondAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
• West Branch Penobscot RiverAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Kennebago RiverAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Rangeley LakeAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
• Mooselookmeguntic LakeAgency list: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

Identification

• Brook trout have worm-like markings (vermiculations) on the back and red spots, sometimes with blue halos, on the sides. The lower fins have a white front edge, then black, then reddish orange.[1]
  What the source says

  “Color variations include olive, blue-gray or black above with a silvery white belly and wormlike markings (vermiculation pattern) along the back. They have red spots sometimes surrounded by bluish halos on their sides. The lower fins have a white front edge followed by black and the remainder being reddish orange.”

• In California, the brook trout is the only trout with wavy, maze-like lines (vermiculations) on its back and upper sides.[2]
  What the source says

  “Only trout in California with vermiculation pattern (wavy, maze-like lines) on back and upper sides.”

• Brook trout belong to the char family and are often confused with bull trout. Brook trout have vermiculations and black spots on the dorsal fin, which bull trout lack.[3]
  What the source says

  “Closely related to and commonly misidentified as brook trout (both are members of the char family). A distinguishing characteristic is the lack of black spots on the dorsal fin. Do not have vermiculations that occur on brook trout.”

More on identifying brook trout

Status, protections and rules

As each agency stated them on the date read; a rule applies only where its agency says so. Check the current regulations for the water before you fish.

• In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the brook trout is the only native trout species.[4]
  What the source says

  “The brook trout is the only native species of trout in the Smokies.”

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban.[5]
  What the source says

  “As a result of research and successful restoration efforts, park management reopened brook trout fishing in 2006 after a 30-year ban.”

Water temperature in Maine

• Cool enough for trout and salmonMaine IF&W: trout and landlocked salmon “thrive in cool (≤ 68°F), clean, well-oxygenated water.” On warm days, “Fish early in the morning when surface water temperatures are cooler.”
• Over 68°F: warmer than trout thrive inWarmer than the “cool (≤ 68°F)” water Maine IF&W says trout and landlocked salmon thrive in. Its advice: “Fish early in the morning when surface water temperatures are cooler”; “Limit the time it takes to land your fish”; “If taking a photo, do so fast and keep the fish in the water.”

Sources: Fishing Responsibly for Trout During Warm/Low Water Conditions (Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife).

Destination hubs

Hubs that list one of these waters, or that a water page is near: each has guides, shops, licences and trip planning for the area.

• The Forks & the upper Kennebec, Maine12 brook trout waters
• Rangeley Lakes, Maine6 brook trout waters

Sources

Every fact on this page is our paraphrase of the page cited beside it, read on the date shown. Rules and seasons change: check the agency's current regulations before you fish.

1. Brook trout Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read Oct 24, 2026.
2. Fishing for Brook Trout (non-native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
3. Fishing for Bull Trout (native) California Department of Fish and Wildlife, read Oct 24, 2026.
4. Fishing - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.
5. Fish - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) National Park Service, read Oct 24, 2026.