Maine
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW). Online via MOSES (Maine Online Sportsman's Electronic System) or at town offices and license agents statewide.

Cost

Resident season: $30. Non-resident season: $83. Non-res 15-day: $66 (upgradeable to season for $17 difference). Non-res 7-day: $54. Non-res 3-day: $35. Non-res 1-day: $12. Saltwater registry: free (required for marine finfish).

Validity

Season (calendar year) or 1/3/7/15-day non-resident options

Available online?

Yes

Maine uses a single unified inland license — one card covers all freshwater waters including landlocked salmon and lake trout (togue). Required for ages 16+. Saltwater fishing in Maine's tidal waters is free but requires a free registration with the Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry. Free fishing days: February 14–15, 2026 and May 30–31, 2026.

Closed seasons

Many wild brook trout streams: open April 1 – September 30 (fly-fishing-only + catch-and-release on heritage waters). Landlocked salmon in many lakes: open ice-out through September 30. Striped bass (marine): seasonal federal closures apply.

Catch limits

Landlocked salmon: 1/day 14" min (most waters). Brook trout: 2/day 10" min on general-law waters, stricter on heritage streams. Lake trout (togue): 2/day 18" min. Striped bass (marine): 1/day slot 28–31".

Prohibited methods

No live baitfish on many wild-trout waters (Heritage Fish + State Heritage Fish Waters — artificial lure only). No snagging. Ice-fishing tip-up limits by water.

Catch & Release

Mandatory on designated heritage brook-trout waters. Strongly encouraged for landlocked salmon over 20" and any sea-run brook trout.

Maine protects the most intact native brook trout population in the Lower 48 — 90% of US wild brook-trout lakes are in Maine. Regulations vary by water; always consult the MDIFW Lawbook section for the specific lake or stream. Ice-fishing season runs Jan 1 – March 31 on most lakes.

Best season

Landlocked salmon: ice-out (May) + September. Brook trout: May–June + September. Striper on coast: June–October. Ice fishing: January–March.

Freshwater

6,000+ lakes/ponds and 32,000 miles of rivers and streams. Moosehead, Sebago, and Rangeley lakes anchor the fly-fishing heritage. North Woods ponds hold wild brookies reachable only by float plane.

Saltwater

3,478 miles of tidal coastline (more than California). Penobscot + Casco Bays for striper/bluefish; Gulf of Maine for cod/haddock (heavy seasonal restrictions); groundfish offshore.

Equipment

L.L. Bean flagship (Freeport) is a pilgrimage stop. Fly shops: Fly Fishing Only (Oquossoc), Eddie's (Grand Lake Stream), Orvis (Freeport + Portland). Guide services common in the North Woods.

Fishing guides

$450–$650/day inland (Registered Maine Guide required for non-res fly-in trips to many remote ponds). Coastal striper charters $500–$900/day.

Transport

Fly into PWM (Portland) or BGR (Bangor). Rental car essential. Float planes from Greenville serve the North Woods. Many roads to remote ponds are private logging roads (gate fees apply).

Safety

Black flies May–June (bring head nets). Moose on roads at dawn/dusk — vehicle collisions common. Hypothermia risk on cold lakes year-round. Remote areas often have no cell service.

License fees

$30 resident season; $12–$83 non-resident depending on duration

Guide prices

$450–$650 inland; $500–$900 coastal

Daily budget

Budget: $80/day (state campgrounds, public access). Guided trip: $600–$1,200/day with lodging.