Fishing in Jackman - Moose River Region

After trying your luck in Jackman, you'll be sure to leave with some new fishing tales. We have cold-water lakes, streams, brooks, and rivers, all easily accessible to anyone seeking a quality fishing experience. If you are looking for that out-of-the-way fishing hole, you can get there on foot or by ATV or take a float plane to one of our remote ponds. If you bring your boat, there are public launches on Attean Pond and Big Wood Lake, or you can rent a boat or canoe from one of our businesses in town. Open water season starts from ice out and continues through summer into fall, which, at that time, is catch-and-release only but still loads of fun!

In the spring, after ice out in late April or early May, the ponds and streams produce some open-water fishing opportunities that will have you scrambling for your favorite lure. One of the best fishing spots at this time of year is the Moose River inlet to Big Wood Lake or on the Moose River between Attean and Big Wood. The waters are cold, and the fish will be closer to the top! As the summer sun warms the waters, you may need to troll the deeper waters to get your catch.

Brook Trout, Landlocked Salmon, Lake Trout, and Splake are the primary species of fish inhabiting most lakes, ponds, and rivers throughout the area. These particular game fish like cool water but will still venture into warmer waters, searching for food.

FISH DESCRIPTIONS

Brook Trout (Square Tail) thrive in waters below 65 degrees. Fish with bait or casting a fly.

Lake Trout (Togue) love the deep cool lake water like you will find on Big Wood Lake. Fish with bait or troll with a lead line and live bait.

Landlocked Salmon can be found in most of our lakes and ponds in the region. The prime periods for taking salmon are in the spring and fall when the waters are cold. In the summer months, the patient angler will still get his catch near the huge boulders where the salmon may hide and wait for the smaller fish to go by. Fish with bait or trolling with a lead line and live bait.

Splake is a hybrid resulting from the fertilizing of eggs from the lake trout with sperm from the brook trout. Because of this, they grow bigger faster and are stocked in Big Wood and Attean Ponds.

Cusk is a member of the cod family and in the winter, this is a popular catch. Big Wood Lake is especially noted for their large cusk during ice fishing season.

As a reminder, fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online or locally in town. Be sure to pick up a regulation book before you go out to "get the big one".

Determining where game fish are comes with experience and your familiarity with the bodies of water you are fishing in. SO come back and fish our water often. You are sure to do better each time!

Visit Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for rules, laws, dates and other information.