Get Hooked

Anglers visiting Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island will find numerous opportunities for freshwater and saltwater fishing. The lakes and ponds hold a number of freshwater species, including brook trout, lake trout, landlocked salmon, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Ocean species include mackerel, bluefish, and striped bass.
Fresh Water Fishing
Popular cold water fishing spots include Bubble Pond, Eagle Lake, Echo Lake, Jordan Pond, Long Pond, Lower and Upper Breakneck Ponds, Lower and Upper Hadlock Ponds, and Witch Hole Pond. For warm water fishing, Long Pond and Seal Cove Pond are favorites. The freshwater fishing season is generally April through September. Acadia National Park produces a helpful flyer, Fishing on Mount Desert Island. Also look out for the twice yearly Maine Free Fishing Days each February and June.
Official boat launches are located at the north end of Eagle Lake, the south end of Jordan Pond, the north and south shores of Long Pond, at Ike’s Landing on Echo Lake, and at Seal Cove Pond, but you can slide a canoe into numerous other ponds, too. Many of the island’s lakes and ponds limit motorboats to 10-horsepower motors or less.
Ocean Fishing
Ocean fishing is managed by the State of Maine, with regulations posted online. Be especially cautious of surf conditions. Sudden waves can wash the shore and sweep you out to sea. Additionally, watch your footing, as seaweed and algae-covered rocks can be extremely slippery
Ocean fishing areas include:
Sargent Drive & Somes Sound
Mackerel, bluefish, and striped bass can be found July through September.
Frazer Point on Schoodic Peninsula
Mackerel can be found periodically mid-July through September.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing season is generally January through March. Many larger ponds and lakes in the park are popular locations for ice fishing. Please be cautious on frozen bodies of water and ensure that ice thickness is sufficient to support your weight.

Fishing Regulations

General Regulations

Portions of lake and pond shorelines may be privately owned. Please respect private property. Several ponds and lakes on the island are public drinking water supplies where swimming, wading, and pets are prohibited. Please follow posted regulations.

Boat Restrictions & Notes

Clean your boat before you float. Watch out for hitchhiking plants on boats and equipment. A single invasive plant or plant fragment can infest an entire lake or stream. Dispose of plants on high, dry land away from lakes and ponds.
Motors over 10 horsepower are prohibited on:
Eagle Lake
Echo Lake
Hodgdon Pond
Jordan Pond
Lower Hadlock Pond
Seal Cove Pond
Upper Hadlock Pond
Internal combustion engines are prohibited on:
Bubble Pond
Round Pond
Witch Hole Pond
No motors are permitted on:
Half Moon Pond
Lower and Upper Breakneck Ponds
There is no horsepower limit on:
Long Pond

Licenses

State of Maine fishing licenses are required for freshwater fishing, for those Maine residents 16 years or older and non-residents 12 years or older. Fees vary based on resident/non-resident status, age, and length of license. No license is needed for ocean fishing. Licenses can be purchased at many area retailers in Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Mount Desert and Tremont, as well as online through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Species List & Areas

Bubble Pond
brook trout
Eagle Lake
landlocked salmon
brook trout
lake trout
Echo Lake
landlocked salmon
brook trout
Half Moon Pond
brook trout
Hodgdon Pond
brown trout
chain pickerel
smallmouth bass
sunfish
white perch
yellow perch
Jordan Pond
landlocked salmon
lake trout
Long Pond
landlocked salmon
brook trout
smallmouth bass
chain pickerel
Lower and Upper Breakneck Ponds
brook trout
Lower Hadlock Pond
brook trout
brown trout
sunfish
white perch
Round Pond
smallmouth bass
Seal Cove Pond
alewives
brown trout
chain pickerel
smallmouth bass
sunfish
white perch
white sucker
yellow perch
Upper Hadlock Pond
brook trout
Witch Hole Pond
brook trout
Information on regulations & species provided courtesy of Acadia National Park’s official website. 
Fishing in Acadia National Park