When is lake trout (togue) season in Maine?

Statewide open ice-out (typically April 1) through September 30; January – March ice-fishing on listed waters per MDIFW Fishing Law Book. Those are the 2026 Maine dates; always confirm against Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) — freshwater; Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) — saltwater before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.

What is the Maine bag limit for lake trout (togue)?

The Maine daily bag limit for lake trout (togue) is 2 / day standard; 1 / day Sebago Lake + listed trophy waters. The possession limit is 4 in possession standard; 2 in possession Sebago + trophy waters. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size lake trout (togue) can you keep in Maine?

The Maine size rule for lake trout (togue) is 18 in min standard; 23 in min Sebago + listed TROPHY MANAGEMENT waters. Trophy rule: Sebago Lake TROPHY MANAGEMENT 23 in min + 1 / day; Moosehead + Chesuncook + Schoodic deep-water structure produce 10-15+ lb fish routinely; Maine state-record lake trout (togue) 39 lb 3 oz (Richardson Lake, Erik Poland, July 2 2020) — broke the long-standing 31 lb 8 oz Beech Hill Pond 1958 record.

Do you need a license to fish for lake trout (togue) in Maine?

Yes. Maine requires a valid fishing license to fish for lake trout (togue), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Maine license — compare resident and non-resident Maine fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for lake trout (togue) in Maine?

Yes. In Maine, lake trout (togue) fishing carries these gear rules: Standard ice-fishing tip-ups + jiggers permitted during January – March on listed waters; Down-rigger trolling permitted (most-effective summer tactic on deep-water structure); Live fish bait PROHIBITED on listed designated waters; Felt-soled wading boots BANNED on Maine wild trout / salmon waters since 2011; MDIFW Inland Fishing Licence required ages 16+ ($25 res / $64 NR annual); Confirm current-year MDIFW Fishing Law Book for special waters list.

Do specific Maine waters have different lake trout (togue) rules?

Yes. 10 named Maine waters carry rules that override the statewide lake trout (togue) regulation, including Moosehead Lake, Sebago Lake, Rangeley Lake, and 7 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Maine Lake trout (togue) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Salvelinus namaycush

Last updated May 26, 2026

Maine — known as 'togue' in Maine vernacular (the Maliseet/Mi'kmaq-derived name carried into Yankee usage) — supports the most extensive self-sustaining native lake trout fishery in the eastern United States. MDIFW manages dozens of deep cold-water lakes with self-sustaining native populations, including Moosehead Lake (75,451 acres in Piscataquis County — Maine's largest, native lake trout flagship), Sebago Lake (30,513 acres in Cumberland County, 316 ft deep, 23-inch minimum + 1 fish per day TROPHY MANAGEMENT — the deepest lake in Maine), Chesuncook Lake (26,000 acres in Piscataquis County — Maine's 3rd-largest natural lake), Schoodic Lake (7,168 acres in Piscataquis County), Pemadumcook Lake (18,300 acres in Piscataquis County), Eagle Lake (Aroostook County — the Allagash chain), Mooselookmeguntic + Rangeley + Upper Richardson + Lower Richardson + Aziscohos (Rangeley Lakes Region — togue alongside the landlocked salmon flagship populations), Cobbosseecontee + Maranacook + Long Pond (Kennebec County), Square Lake + Cross Lake + Eagle Lake (Aroostook County Fish River Chain). Statewide standard rule: 18-inch minimum + 2 fish per angler per day on most waters; Sebago Lake + listed trophy waters carry the 23-inch minimum + 1 fish per day TROPHY MANAGEMENT rule. MDIFW season opens ice-out (typically April 1) through September 30 on most waters; January – March ice-fishing season open on listed waters per the current MDIFW Fishing Law Book — togue ice-fishing through the lake-trout deep-water structure is a defining Maine winter fishery on Moosehead + Sebago + Chesuncook + Schoodic + the Allagash chain.

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Season

Statewide open ice-out (typically April 1) through September 30; January – March ice-fishing on listed waters per MDIFW Fishing Law Book.

Apr 1 – Sep 30Statewide togue waters — open harvest season
General law open harvest April 1 – September 30
Jan 1 – Mar 31Listed January – March ice-fishing togue waters
Ice-fishing season per MDIFW Fishing Law Book

Bag & possession

Daily bag: 2 / day standard; 1 / day Sebago Lake + listed trophy waters
Possession: 4 in possession standard; 2 in possession Sebago + trophy waters

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: 18 in min standard; 23 in min Sebago + listed TROPHY MANAGEMENT waters
Trophy rule: Sebago Lake TROPHY MANAGEMENT 23 in min + 1 / day; Moosehead + Chesuncook + Schoodic deep-water structure produce 10-15+ lb fish routinely; Maine state-record lake trout (togue) 39 lb 3 oz (Richardson Lake, Erik Poland, July 2 2020) — broke the long-standing 31 lb 8 oz Beech Hill Pond 1958 record

Gear restrictions

Standard ice-fishing tip-ups + jiggers permitted during January – March on listed waters
Down-rigger trolling permitted (most-effective summer tactic on deep-water structure)
Live fish bait PROHIBITED on listed designated waters
Felt-soled wading boots BANNED on Maine wild trout / salmon waters since 2011
MDIFW Inland Fishing Licence required ages 16+ ($25 res / $64 NR annual)
Confirm current-year MDIFW Fishing Law Book for special waters list

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Maine waters:

Moosehead Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; native lake trout flagship lake — Mount Kineo Peninsula + Lily Bay + East Outlet + West Outlet tier
Sebago Lake
23 in min, 1 / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT; deepest lake in Maine; native lake trout fishery
Rangeley Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; Rangeley Lakes Region togue tier
Mooselookmeguntic Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; Rangeley Lakes Region togue tier
Upper Richardson Lake
18 in min, 2 / day
Lower Richardson Lake
18 in min, 2 / day
Aziscohos Lake
18 in min, 2 / day
Sebec Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; togue alongside native landlocked salmon
West Grand Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; togue alongside native landlocked salmon
Umbagog Lake
18 in min, 2 / day; boundary water under NH/ME reciprocity

Official source

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) — freshwater; Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) — saltwater publishes the authoritative 2026 Mainefishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Maine fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Lake trout (togue) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any Maine trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is lake trout (togue) season in Maine?: Statewide open ice-out (typically April 1) through September 30; January – March ice-fishing on listed waters per MDIFW Fishing Law Book. Those are the 2026 Maine dates; always confirm against Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (MDIFW) — freshwater; Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) — saltwater before a trip, because an emergency order can shift an opener with little notice.
What is the Maine bag limit for lake trout (togue)?: The Maine daily bag limit for lake trout (togue) is 2 / day standard; 1 / day Sebago Lake + listed trophy waters. The possession limit is 4 in possession standard; 2 in possession Sebago + trophy waters. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size lake trout (togue) can you keep in Maine?: The Maine size rule for lake trout (togue) is 18 in min standard; 23 in min Sebago + listed TROPHY MANAGEMENT waters. Trophy rule: Sebago Lake TROPHY MANAGEMENT 23 in min + 1 / day; Moosehead + Chesuncook + Schoodic deep-water structure produce 10-15+ lb fish routinely; Maine state-record lake trout (togue) 39 lb 3 oz (Richardson Lake, Erik Poland, July 2 2020) — broke the long-standing 31 lb 8 oz Beech Hill Pond 1958 record.
Do you need a license to fish for lake trout (togue) in Maine?: Yes. Maine requires a valid fishing license to fish for lake trout (togue), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Maine license — compare resident and non-resident Maine fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for lake trout (togue) in Maine?: Yes. In Maine, lake trout (togue) fishing carries these gear rules: Standard ice-fishing tip-ups + jiggers permitted during January – March on listed waters; Down-rigger trolling permitted (most-effective summer tactic on deep-water structure); Live fish bait PROHIBITED on listed designated waters; Felt-soled wading boots BANNED on Maine wild trout / salmon waters since 2011; MDIFW Inland Fishing Licence required ages 16+ ($25 res / $64 NR annual); Confirm current-year MDIFW Fishing Law Book for special waters list.
Do specific Maine waters have different lake trout (togue) rules?: Yes. 10 named Maine waters carry rules that override the statewide lake trout (togue) regulation, including Moosehead Lake, Sebago Lake, Rangeley Lake, and 7 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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