Moose River

The Moose River offers a variety of fishing opportunities from its origin near the Canadian border west of Jackman, to Moosehead Lake in Rockwood. Native brook trout are the attraction in the upper reaches, which flow through remote, undeveloped forest lands. This section is for serious anglers willing to get back off a paved highway.

Immediately to the west of Jackman, the Moose River meanders through or near a series of lakes: Holeb Pond, Attean Lake, and Big Wood Pond. The unique arrangement of these lakes relative to the river allows for a multi-day canoe experience through a remote, forested environment. Called the “Bow Trip,” paddlers can begin and end at the same location, either on Attean Lake or Big Wood Pond. Native brook trout are again the main attraction for anglers on the Bow Trip.

To the east of Jackman, landlocked salmon and brook trout provide fishing in the more accessible section of river flowing through undeveloped forest lands between Long Pond and Brassua Lake. River flows in this section depend on runoff, so they can be high in the spring and after significant rain events, and low during summer dry spells. However, with moderate flows the pools and runs of this section are ideal for wading anglers wishing to avoid crowds.

Perhaps the most popular section of the Moose River is the mile of river immediately below Brassua Dam on the outlet of Brassua Lake. The pools and runs of this section that flows into Moosehead Lake are easily accessible and noted for landlocked salmon and brook trout fishing from May through September. Many of the fish caught here originate in Moosehead Lake. Therefore this section provides the opportunity to catch larger fish than usually found up river. After spring runoff subsides in May the water stored in Brassua Lake maintains downstream flows suitable for wading all season long. The lower reaches of this section can also be fished from a canoe.