Piscataquis River Fishing Guides
A central Maine river running east to the Penobscot, fished for smallmouth bass through the lower reaches and brook trout above.
Guides on the Piscataquis River
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About the Piscataquis River
The Piscataquis River drains a large piece of central Maine, gathering from the hills west of Greenville and running east through Guilford, Dover-Foxcroft and Milo before joining the Penobscot near Howland. It gives its name to the county it crosses and it is the principal river of a region better known for its lakes and for the wilderness further north.
The river changes character substantially along its length. The upper reaches above Dover-Foxcroft are smaller, cooler and more freestone in feel, running over ledge and cobble through mixed forest. Below the confluence with the Sebec River it broadens into the reach the gauge at Medford measures, a wider river of long pools and gravel riffles with alder and silver maple on the banks and a good deal of it passing through farm and woodlot country rather than town.
Smallmouth bass are the dominant fishery through the middle and lower river and they do well here, holding on the ledge structure and in the pool heads. Brook trout are present throughout and become the primary fish in the colder upper water and the tributaries. Brown trout occur in places, landlocked salmon move in from the Penobscot system, and chain pickerel take the slower backwaters. Fallfish and white sucker are abundant.
Access is straightforward by northern Maine standards, with roads following much of the corridor, and the river suits a canoe well. Spring flows run high and cold from snowmelt across a large basin; by midsummer the river drops enough to wade comfortably in many reaches, which is when the smallmouth fishing is at its most pleasant. The river also serves as a practical base for anglers heading further north, sitting within easy reach of Moosehead Lake and the Katahdin region. A day here fits neatly either side of a longer trip into the north woods.
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Access
Medford - the gauge reach and access on the lower river.
Dover-Foxcroft - the main town access on the middle river.
Milo - access near the Sebec River confluence.
Guilford - access on the upper river.
Sebec River confluence - the major tributary entering the middle river.
Howland and the Penobscot confluence - the downstream end of the river.
Route 6 and Route 16 crossings - road access along the corridor.
Seasons
Spring: high cold snowmelt flows, with brook trout fishing best in the upper river.
Summer: the prime smallmouth season, with low clear water and easy wading.
Fall: strong fishing for both bass and brook trout as water cools and pressure drops.
Winter: cold and largely frozen, with open-water fishing essentially over.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Piscataquis River?
As of Sep 16, 3:15 am, the USGS gauge Piscataquis River at Medford, Maine reads 152 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Piscataquis River?
Anglers target Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, Fallfish, Landlocked Salmon, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker on the Piscataquis River in Maine.
Where can you access the Piscataquis River?
Medford - the gauge reach and access on the lower river. Dover-Foxcroft - the main town access on the middle river. Milo - access near the Sebec River confluence. Guilford - access on the upper river. Sebec River confluence - the major tributary entering the middle river. Howland and the Penobscot confluence - the downstream end of the river. Route 6 and Route 16 crossings - road access along the corridor.
When is the best time to fish the Piscataquis River?
Spring: high cold snowmelt flows, with brook trout fishing best in the upper river. Summer: the prime smallmouth season, with low clear water and easy wading. Fall: strong fishing for both bass and brook trout as water cools and pressure drops. Winter: cold and largely frozen, with open-water fishing essentially over.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Piscataquis River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Maine agency site: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/fishing/laws-rules/index.html