about the giant brook trout that inhabited the waters of this wild and remote corner of New England. In 1868, the Oquossoc Anglers Association was founded at the mouth of the Kennebago River, and fly-fishing exploration of the river began. Ed Grant founded Grant’s Kennebago Camps on Kennebago Lake in 1906. The camps are still in operation today.
Kennebago is the name of a tribe of Native Americans who inhabited the area around Kennebago Lake. It translates to “people of the land of sweet flowing waters.” They were the first to recognize the commercial potential of the area, guiding sportsmen from Boston and New York.
The Kennebago begins at Big Island Pond along the Maine-Quebec border. The river is roughly 25 miles long. It is a diverse mix of slow, meandering stretches, short riffles, and pocketwater. Several miles below Big Island Pond, the river is interrupted by Long Pond. From there it flows roughly 8 miles before entering Little Kennebago Lake. A couple of miles after exiting Little Kennebago, the river is joined by the outlet of Kennebago Lake—the largest fly-fishing- only lake in Maine. From here
the Kennebago flows unbroken for roughly 8 miles before terminating at Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Both Kennebago and Little Kennebago Lakes offer outstanding fishing for brook trout and the occasional landlocked salmon. Kennebago Lake is gated against public access. Little Kennebago Lake is accessible to the general public. The latter is restricted to nonmotorized boats only.
The Kennebago is divided into four sections. The first, and least fished, is between Big Island Pond and Little
Kennebago Lake. This section has a resident population of brook trout. The second is from Little Kennebago Lake to Kennebago Lake. Most of the fish here come from the two lakes. The third section is from Kennebago Lake to the bridge on Kennebago River Road. Fish from Mooselookmeguntic Lake reach the lower end of this section. There are also resident brook trout. The last section is from the bridge to Mooselookmeguntic Lake—including fabled Steep Bank Pool. Large brook trout move up into the river from the lake in late May and again in early fall. Landlocked salmon move in soon after the brook trout.
There is good public access to the Kennebago between Steep Bank Pool and Mooselookmeguntic Lake. A gate just above Steep Bank prevents motorized traffic. You can,
Fall fishing on middle river. Diana Mallard
how ever, fish above Steep Bank if you walk, or have permission to go beyond the gate, usually associated with stays at one of the sporting camps. From Steep Bank to Kennebago Lake, the river is mostly riffles, fast water, pocketwater, and pools. Many fly fishers do use the road for walk-in access. This section provides a level of solitude not found on the easy-to-ac- cess water downstream of the gate. Fishing can be quite good in this section—possibly the best on the river.
Fall brook trout. Tim Ervin
Upper river. Rangeley Region Sport Shop
You can also access the river by vehicle from the bridge located just below Little Kennebago Lake. From here you can fish down to the outlet of Kennebago Lake. This section is mostly riffles and runs. It also warms up quickly in the spring, resulting in the fish moving back into the lakes.
The Kennebago is a wild fishery. The brook trout are native. The landlocked salmon are introduced. There is no stocking on the river. The Kennebago strain of brook trout is, however, used by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as brood stock for stocking programs else-where—a testimony to the strength of the genetics of these fish. Brook trout average 10 to 12 inches. However, fish over 4 pounds are caught in the Kennebago. They are as beautiful as any brook trout found anywhere. Fall fish demonstrate the vibrant colors, pronounced kype, and humped backs that make wild brook trout some of the—if not the—most beautiful fish in the world. Salmon average 12 to 16 inches, with much larger fish encountered. Fishing in the spring when fresh salmon have entered the river from the Mooselookmeguntic Lake can be very rewarding. Like all salmon, these fish usually go airborne immediately after they are hooked.
Streamers can be fished effectively on the Kennebago in the spring and again in the fall. Spring streamers
should imitate smelt—fall streamers should be of the attractor variety. Streamers can also be effective in the deeper pools and when the river is running high or off-colored. Dry-fly fishing can be effective during a hatch, and when using attractors or terrestrials. As is often the case, when the fish are not looking up, and refuse streamers, nymphing is your best bet.
The Kennebago is one of the top three native brook trout rivers in the country. The other two, Rapid and Magalloway, are within striking distance. The Kennebago should be near the top of every fly fisher’s list of places to go.
The Logans. Tim Ervin
BRETT DAMM is a Master Maine Guide. He owns and operates Rangeley Region Sport Shop and River To Ridge Guide Service. He can be reached at 207-864-5615, [email protected], or www.rangeleysportshop.com.
Closest fly shops
Rangeley Region Sport Shop
2529 Main Street
Rangeley, Maine 04970
207-864-5615
www.rangeleysportshop.com [email protected]
Closest guides and outfitters
Pond In The River Guide Service
Rangeley, Maine 04970
