Moosehead Lake
Maine's largest lake and its most famous landlocked salmon and lake trout fishery.
Depth & Structure
Deep, coldwater lake: average depth 55 ft, maximum 246 ft (Wikipedia / Maine IF&W lists max 246 ft, 74,890 acres). Summer lake trout concentrate at the thermocline in 35-50 ft; brook trout are taken in shallow areas in spring and winter, and shallower bays such as Lily Bay hold smallmouth.
Best Lures
Trolling spoons and smelt-imitating streamers for landlocked salmon and lake trout; jigging and trolling in deeper water for togue; smelt/caddis streamer patterns at outlets and inlets in spring and fall, poppers around rocky drop-offs in shallower bays in summer.
Best Baits
Live bait is a documented togue method alongside jigging and trolling in deeper water (derby guide); most salmon work reported is trolled spoons/streamers rather than bait.
Gear to Bring
Medium trolling / downrigger-class rods for salmon and lake trout, 2000-4000 size reels, 8-17 lb class line; lighter spinning or 5-6 wt fly tackle for brook trout and bay smallmouth.
Local Tips
['Spring ice-out is prime for landlocked salmon near the surface following baitfish into shallower water; in summer salmon move deeper and trolling is the productive approach.', 'Brook trout and landlocked salmon are most active in low-light periods…
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Related Water
Fish photos: landlocked salmon — Wikimedia Commons · lake trout — Wikimedia Commons · brook trout — Wikimedia Commons
Fishing regulations, seasons and limits change — always check the current rules for this water before you fish. Spot pins are approximate area markers, not launch or access coordinates.