The Rangeley Region: Angling Opportunities in a National Treasure!

The Rangeley chain of lakes and its system of inter-connecting rivers form the headwaters of the Androscoggin River and is one of the best areas in the nation to pursue landlocked salmon and brook trout. The brook trout are native to the area and the Kennebago strain was selected by the state for its hatchery brood stock because of its vigorous health, excellent genetics and wild attributes. The landlocked salmon (and the smelt they feed on) were introduced over a hundred years ago. Before the salmon were introduced, the region’s famous brook trout gorged on blueback trout and grew to tremendous size. The bluebacks disappeared after the turn of the century. The Rangeley Lakes still provide salmon and trout fishing that lures anglers from around the world.

The Rangeley Region has been the home to many notable names in fly fishing like Carrie Stevens and Herb Welch. Many of the waters, especially the “Big Three” rivers (Magalloway, Kennebago and Rapid) and smaller trout ponds, are limited to fly fishing only. On the larger lakes, trolling with flies, lures, or sewed-on bait is the preferred angling method.

Rangeley Lake (6,000 acres) is famous for its landlocked salmon and can offer fast fishing from ice-out through the month of June. Salmon and brook trout can be caught throughout the season by trolling below the thermocline. For those unfamiliar with trolling, it is wise to hire a local guide. There is a boat launch site available at Rangeley Lake State Park, located on the south shore. Additional launch sites are located in the villages of Rangeley and Oquossoc.

Nearby Mooselookmeguntic Lake, which is Maine’s 7th largest lake, has good trolling for both wild salmon and brook trout with 2 to 3 pound fish becoming common. There are three boat launch sites with locations at the end of Route 4 (Haines Landing), off Route 16 at the north end of the lake, and at the south end of the lake. There are remote campsites available by contacting the Steven Phillips Preserve located on islands and on the undeveloped west shoreline of the lake.

The Kennebago River is well known for its excellent spawning runs in the fall that provide fishing. Restrictive regulations, including catch and release after August 15, assure that there is plenty of action and that there is ample opportunity for the fish to spawn.

The Cupsuptic River runs from the Canadian border through wild and scenic mountainous area into Cupsuptic Lake. The river is cold year-round, and contains a large population of native brook trout that provide fast fishing for 6” to 14” fish. This is a great stream for kids.

The Richardson Lakes offer good trolling for brook trout and salmon. These two connected lakes also have a limited fishery for large lake trout. There are public boat launch sites at the north end (Mill Brook) and south end (South Arm).

Upper Dam Pool is located between Mooselook and Richardson Lake and is open to fly fishing through the end of October (catch and release fishing during the month of October). You can fish the pool made famous by Gray Ghost creator Carrie Stevens by boat from Richardson Lake below the dam or via Mooselookmeguntic above it. By car take the Upper Dam Rd. off of Rte. 16 west of Oquossoc and then hike or mountain bike from the Union Water Power Company gate. The Appalachian Trail runs south of the lakes and offers views of the lakes and mountains to the north, as well as providing access to a series of isolated hike–to trout ponds.

The Rapid River, which is the outlet of the Richardson lakes, features an unrivaled catch-and-release fishery for brook trout that are often measured in pounds not inches. Brook trout in the five-pound class are not unheard of and landlocked salmon are also abundant. Regional Biologists are urging anglers to keep a salmon or two to help the unique brook trout population. Smallmouth bass were illegally introduced downstream and are now in the river and there is no bag limit on bass. Anglers should not return bass to the river when they catch them. This is a remote river. Vehicular access is possible to within a mile and a half of the Rapid River via a gravel logging road (Fish Pond Rd.) off of Rte. 16 west of Oquossoc. This is a private road and like most gravel roads in the region, a working logging road. Whenever traveling private logging roads yield the right of way to all trucks by pulling well over to the side and stopping. You are a guest on private lands, so treat the lands as if they were your own as well.

Aziscohos Lake was formed in 1911 by damming the Magalloway River. The lake has a productive landlocked salmon and brook trout fishery. The Magalloway River itself provides exciting fly fishing for both salmon and trout. The roads to the uppermost portion of the river above the lake are gated, but can be accessed by foot.

The area just south of Rangeley on Route 4 features the Sandy River. This picturesque stream has a wild brook trout fishery in it’s headwaters above Small’s Falls and brown trout below a series of scenic waterfalls.

Another accessible fishing water within the Rangeley Region is the Dead River drainage which can be found in Dallas Plantation just west of Rangeley on Route 16.

The guide below represents only a fraction of the available angling opportunities in this remarkable region: