Ice is out, mud is in, and stream fishing is on

Early spring is a “great time” to fish for trout and salmon near the surface, says a state biologist. Photo courtesy of Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

April 7, 2026

By Ridge Osgood

This year's winter has made for fantastic ice fishing conditions throughout the Downeast Region, but like all good things, it is coming to an end – albeit gradually. As spring arrives and the days get longer, many of us find our attention shifting toward preparing our gear for open water and all the opportunities it brings.

Where to fish: Early spring, right after ice out, is a great time to fish for trout and salmon as they can be found near the surface and close to the shoreline. Smaller ponds and waters close to the coast are likely to open up before larger, more inland lakes. Anglers eager to catch some early season brook trout may want to consider fishing Birch Harbor Pond in Winter Harbor, Bubble Pond in Bar Harbor, East Pike Brook Pond and West Pike Brook Pond, both in T18 MD BPP, or Salmon Pond in T30 MD BPP. Lily Pond in Deer Isle also provides good brook trout fishing with the chance of catching a larger brown trout. 

Later in April, once the ice has gone out of larger lakes, opportunities to fish for landlocked salmon become abundant. Anglers interested in trolling for salmon this spring should consider Green Lake, Donnell Pond, and Cathance Lake. On fair weather days, fishing near shore from a canoe or kayak may also prove to be productive on these waters. 

For those interested in fishing streams and rivers, April 1 marks opening day. Early stream fishing can be tricky with high flows and cold temperatures. Anglers have historically had early season success catching landlocked salmon at Grand Lake Stream. Recent surveys indicate that anglers can expect to catch healthy salmon with an average length of around 17 inches.

Fishing Tips: Trout and salmon are often found close to shore or in shallow water in the early spring. For brook trout, try using small spoons or spinners and fish around structure in 1 to 6 feet of water. If you're eager to hook up on a fly rod, cast small streamers or nymphs and retrieve slowly. For salmon, try using lures or flies that imitate a smelt in the water and slowly retrieve parallel to the shoreline in 1 to 10 feet of water. Be patient and move around until you find fish.  

Reminder: With spring comes mud season and road closures. Access may be limited or temporarily restricted to some waters, especially those north of Route 9 during this time of year. Plan ahead by contacting landowners to ensure roads are open before you go on your trip. Always respect private property and landowner requests. Access to Bubble Pond is via Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park and is also subject to seasonal closures. Park Loop Road is officially set to open to motor vehicles on April 15.

—Osgood is a Fisheries Resource Biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.