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Fishing Guides · Maine

Fishing Guides in Maine

Cast 20 guides across Maine. Maps, hours, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

Rocky coast, the North Woods, and Acadia.

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Highest rated

Fishing Guides in Maine by Google rating

Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 15 of 20 guides in Maine with 10 or more Google reviews. A blank cell means we do not have that detail yet.

GuideCityFishingRating
Kristin K Charters, South Portland, MESouth PortlandOffshore / Deep Sea, Inshore Fishing5.0142 Google reviews
Casco Bay Custom Charters, Portland, MEPortland5.0115 Google reviews
Relentless Pursuit Fishing Charters and Sight Seeing, Wells, MEWells5.0110 Google reviews
Sebago Sport Fishing and Guide Service, Raymond, MERaymondTrout Fishing, Salmon & Steelhead5.096 Google reviews
TeazerCharter-Portland Maine Deep Sea Fishing, South Portland, MESouth PortlandOffshore / Deep Sea, Inshore Fishing5.083 Google reviews
Maineiac Outfitter, Clinton, MEClintonFly Fishing, Trout Fishing, Salmon & Steelhead +15.068 Google reviews
No Slack! Sportfishing Charters, South Portland, MESouth PortlandInshore Fishing, Fly Fishing, Bass Fishing +15.052 Google reviews
Twin Maple Outdoors, Bradford, MEBradfordFly Fishing, Ice Fishing5.051 Google reviews

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20 guides in Maine

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Guide businesses, fishing spots, rivers & creeks and camping in Maine

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Tap a water to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for the water type, county, and coordinates.

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Browse all 4,842 fishing spots

About Maine

Maine fishing runs on two clocks: the tide and the ice-out. On the salt side, captains run out of Kennebunkport, Portland, and Boothbay for striped bass, bluefin tuna, and cod, working a coastline of granite ledges, island channels, and deep offshore canyons. Groundfish hold on the bottom structure; sharks show up in the warm months. A first-timer and a lifelong tuna hand can fish the same harbor on the same morning and have entirely different days, the water is that varied.

Inland is another world. Wild brook trout, landlocked salmon, and smallmouth bass headline a freshwater system that sprawls from the interconnected lakes and rivers around Moosehead Lake to the remote ponds of Baxter State Park and the deep woods of Aroostook County. Guides run drift boats on big rivers like the Kennebec and Penobscot, walk clients into small streams for classic fly work, or go deep on cold lakes for trophies. Conservation is taken seriously here, and the fish populations show it, this is one of the last strongholds of genuinely wild brook trout water in the country.

Where tidal estuaries meet freshwater rivers in southern Maine, things get interesting. Seasonal runs of alewives and smelts pour through these transition zones and drag big predators in behind them, and the guides who work this water have the timing memorized. Casting for stripers in the tidal reaches of the Saco River or chasing landlocked salmon in the Sebago Lake watershed are two very different trips separated by a short drive, and that compression of options is a large part of why anglers keep coming back.

Best time to go

When to fish in Maine

June through October. Peak fall color late September to mid-October.

Quick facts

Fishing spots mapped
4,842
Rivers mapped
595
Guides listed
20
Best season
June through October

Trip guide

Know before you go in Maine

Federal permits, lotteries and timed-entry reservations in Maine, from Recreation.gov.

Confirm current requirements with the agency that sets them before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Maine Freshwater Fishing License

    All persons 16 years of age or older must possess a valid Maine fishing license to fish in freshwater. This applies to both residents and non-residents, even when fishing with a licensed guide.

  • Saltwater Fishing Registry

    Maine doesn't sell a general saltwater fishing license, but it does require anglers to enroll in the state's own Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry (a nominal fee) before fishing coastal waters: this state registry, not the federal one, is what satisfies the requirement. Passengers on a licensed charter or party boat are exempt, as are anglers already registered in another state, but it's wise to confirm. Fishing for striped bass carries added requirements, so check with the Maine DMR.

  • Catch and Release Regulations

    Maine has specific length, bag, and possession limits for various species, which can vary by water body and season. Guides are knowledgeable about these regulations, but anglers are ultimately responsible for understanding and adhering to them.

01Do I need a fishing license for a guided trip in Maine?
For freshwater, yes, every angler 16 and older needs a valid Maine freshwater license, guide or no guide. Saltwater is different: Maine has no general saltwater license, but it does require anglers to enroll in the state's Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry, a requirement a charter captain's for-hire license covers for passengers. Confirm either way when you book.
02What species can I expect to catch with a guide in Maine?
Inland, the headliners are wild brook trout, landlocked salmon, lake trout, and smallmouth bass. On the salt, guides chase striped bass, bluefin tuna, cod, and haddock, with sharks and mackerel in the mix depending on the season and where you launch.
03What should I bring on a guided fishing trip in Maine?
Layers, always, Maine weather changes its mind. Add sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), food, drinks, and any medications. Rods, reels, tackle, and bait almost always come with the trip, but confirm when booking.
04Are guided trips suitable for beginners or families with children?
Yes, many Maine guides make their living on exactly these trips. They'll slow the pace, teach the basics, and pick water where kids catch fish. Mention your group's experience level when you book so the guide can plan accordingly.
05What is the best time of year to book a guided fishing trip in Maine?
It depends what you're after. Spring means early trout and salmon and the first stripers. Summer is the offshore window, tuna and the full saltwater program. Fall turns both fisheries aggressive as fish feed ahead of winter.
06How far in advance should I book a guide in Maine?
Several weeks to a few months out is the safe range, especially for summer and fall dates. The best-known guides book their prime windows even earlier, if you have a specific week in mind, don't wait.

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River levelsLive levels for every gauged river in Maine.
Fishing SpotsBrowse 24,783 named waters, then read the state stocking record: species, size, and when.
River ExplorerExplore named rivers from USGS data. Filter by water type, with live flow where a gauge sits.
Fishing TimesMajor and minor solunar periods, sunrise, sunset and the moon for your exact spot, all week.
Fishing License CheckPick your state, your age and whether you live there for a yes or no from the state's own rule, plus the next free fishing days.
Skill DrillsInteractive 3D drills, one decision at a time. Pick wrong and you watch it fail, then learn why.