Brook Trout Due to habitat loss across much of the east coast, Aroostook is the last stronghold of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in the eastern United States. Often caught on a fly, brook trout size varies greatly based on the body of water an angler is fishing; a previous state-record brookie came from Aroostook County and weighed 8lb, 8oz. (It was superseded in 1997 by a stocked fish in southern Maine, and many County natives still consider our wild fish to be the record.) Brook trout are characterized by their green back, bright orange bellies (during spawning season), colorful spots, and square tail. They can be caught all over Aroostook County in our large lakes, small ponds, rivers, and streams.

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Arctic Charr Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) is sometimes referred to as blueback trout; they are found in only 14 waters in Maine, four of which are in Aroostook County’s Deboullie Township. Smaller than their brook trout cousins, Arctic charr have much lighter, silvery coloration, mild yellow spots, and a forked tail. The current state record charr also came from Aroostook County; it was 25.4 inches long and weighed 5.2 pounds.

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Lake Trout Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), also called togue, are among the longest-lived and largest freshwater game fish, often living 20 years or more and attaining sizes of over 30 inches and 10 pounds. Most reach 18- to 24-inches long and weigh 2 to 4 pounds but its not unheard of to catch a 20-25 pounder! They are closely related to brook trout, but are not as brightly-colored and have a forked tail. They can be found in many of our larger lakes preying on smelt and other forage like aquatic insects and smaller fish.

Salmon Introduced to Aroostook’s Fish River watershed in the late 1800s, landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) have since become a favorite of anglers from ice-out in the spring through the first part of the summer. Salmon are found in large, deep lakes around the County, and the fishing is stronger in many of those than it’s been in years, thanks to the work done by our local biologists with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the relatively light pressure by fishermen. Salmon fishing starts strong right at ice-out every year (around the beginning of May) and stays that way until mid-June, when the water warms up and salmon slow down. Sixteen- to eighteen-inch fish in our lakes typically weigh one to two pounds, but three- to five-pound fish up to twenty-five inches long aren’t uncommon, and a lucky angler might catch one up to eight pounds.

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