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Do You Need a Fishing License in Maine?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older must have a Maine fishing license to fish inland public waters. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) administers freshwater licensing.
Saltwater anglers must register for free in the Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry through MDIFW or the federal National Saltwater Angler Registry. Most residents are auto-registered.
Residents under 16 fish inland waters free. Disabled veterans receive a free complimentary lifetime license.
How Much Does a Maine Fishing License Cost in 2026?
Resident annual fishing license: $26. Non-resident annual: $66. Non-resident 1-day: $12. Non-resident 3-day: $24. Non-resident 7-day: $44. Non-resident 15-day: $50.
Resident combination hunt/fish: $44. Resident senior (70+): free complimentary lifetime. Resident junior (12-15): $8 (optional, kids under 16 still fish free).
Maine's military and veterans license is $26 for residents currently serving and free for disabled veterans. The Saltwater Registry is free for everyone.
Where to Buy a Maine Fishing License
Online via mefishwildlife.com is the easiest option. The license generates instantly and can be displayed on your phone via PDF or the MDIFW mobile system.
Walk-in vendors include LL Bean (Freeport), Cabela's, most Walmart locations, Kittery Trading Post, and over 500 small-town general stores and bait shops.
MDIFW regional offices in Augusta, Sidney, Bangor, Greenville, Gray, Strong, Ashland, and Jonesboro sell licenses in person.
Free Fishing Days in Maine
Maine's Free Fishing Weekend in 2026 falls on Saturday February 14 and Sunday February 15 (ice fishing focus) and Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7 (open water).
No fishing license is required during these weekends for any Maine resident or non-resident. Special bag, gear, and area regulations remain in effect.
MDIFW partners with local sporting clubs to host free instructional events, with loaner ice fishing gear in February and casting clinics in June.
Key Maine Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Maine has more individual water-body regulations than any other US state. The MDIFW Fishing Lawbook lists thousands of unique slot, gear, and seasonal rules. Always check the specific water before fishing.
Landlocked salmon limit is 2 with a 14-inch minimum on most waters, but stocked-only waters like Sebago have stricter rules. Brook trout limit is 5 with no minimum statewide outside special-regulation waters.
Bait restrictions are common — many premier waters are artificial-only or fly-fishing-only. Live baitfish must come from an approved baitfish list.
Best Fishing Spots in Maine
Sebago Lake near Portland is Maine's deepest lake and the original home of landlocked Atlantic salmon. It also holds togue (lake trout) to 30 pounds.
Moosehead Lake is the state's largest at 75,000 acres and produces trophy togue, brook trout, and landlocked salmon. The Kennebec River below Wyman Dam is a world-class wild brook trout fishery.
The Rangeley Lakes Region is fly-fishing heaven for native brook trout and landlocked salmon. Saltwater anglers target striped bass from Kittery to Eastport from May through October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Resident annual is $26, non-resident annual is $66. Non-resident short-term licenses are $12 for 1 day, $24 for 3 days, $44 for 7 days, or $50 for 15 days.
You don't need a paid license but you must register (free) in the Maine Saltwater Recreational Fishing Registry through MDIFW. Most adults are auto-registered the first time they buy any state fishing license.
February 14-15 (ice fishing) and June 6-7 (open water). No license required either weekend. Special water-body rules and bag limits remain enforced.
Maine residents 70 and older qualify for a free complimentary lifetime license. Residents under 70 and all non-residents pay normal rates regardless of age.
Online at mefishwildlife.com for instant delivery, at any MDIFW regional office, or at LL Bean, Cabela's, Walmart, Kittery Trading Post, and 500+ local vendors statewide.
Two landlocked salmon daily with a 14-inch minimum on most waters. Many specific lakes have stricter slot limits, fly-only rules, or seasonal closures, so check the MDIFW Lawbook by water.