UTERChain pickerel fishing in Maine freshwater
In Maine freshwater, chain pickerel peak October–April and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Ice pickerel on the southern Maine ponds.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Chain pickerel in Maine freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakIce pickerel on the southern Maine ponds.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilSpawning
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish chain pickerel near Sebago Lake, Moosehead Lake, Rangeley Lakes
The brook trout and landlocked salmon state: thousands of cold lakes and ponds, famous rivers like the Kennebec and Grand Lake Stream, togue in the deep lakes, and bass in the southern lakes.
What to use for chain pickerel
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 36–82°F water, best at 50–70°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch chain pickerel in Maine freshwater?
Peak season is October–April, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Chain pickerel are here year-round. January: Ice pickerel on the southern Maine ponds.
Where do chain pickerel hold in Maine freshwater?
Look on pond / pit, lake, creek / stream, river — around Sebago Lake, Moosehead Lake, Rangeley Lakes, Grand Lake Stream, Kennebec River, Belgrade Lakes.
What is the best bait for chain pickerel in Maine freshwater?
Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for chain pickerel in Maine freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) and change — read the current rule at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/index.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/licenses-permits/index.html.
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All about chain pickerel · Maine fresh water, the whole year