River Open — flies and lures only

Kennebec River (Augusta waterfront)

Augusta, ME · about 64 hours from Maupin (typical, off-peak)

Capital city Kennebec from the named town lot.

Salt River / stream Lake / pond Shop (desk) Guide only Parking Stay State access Private — ask first

Around now

Most likely in this drive this week. Not a guarantee — confirm the official rule.

Striped bass
Bluefish
Smallmouth bass

Also worth a thought: Largemouth bass, Trout, Sunfish and crappie, Chain pickerel.

Season

Aug 16–Sep 30: artificials only on general-law streams. This is fly water by state rule. Special laws still override. Confirm FLOAT / the law book. Official rule

License

Maine freshwater license; Maine saltwater registry

Park

City of Augusta hard ramp. Toilets. Trailer parking. Signed public waterfront.

Walk in

Short from the waterfront lot.

Wading

Big river. Shore fly.

Usual window

Spring through the fly-only date. Stripers on the tide in season.

Thursday conditions

SW 1 mph around dawn. Fine to go.

Sky: ⛅ 79° partly
Sun and moon: Rise 5:55 · 🌕 Full moon · Set 7:26
Wind at dawn: SW 1 mph · Mostly Clear · 57°F
Wind later: dawn: SW 1 mph

10am: 0 mph

2pm: NW 3 mph

dusk: NW 6 mph
Flow: 1870 cfs · 5.21 ft · 8:15 am · Kennebec River at North Sidney, Maine · USGS gauge
Next dawn (Friday): W 1 mph around dawn. Fine to go. · W 1 mph

A setup that belongs here

6- or 8-wt depending on species.

Notes

City public ramp. Tidal here. General law plus any local specials. Stay public.

Overnight plan: Thursday evening and Friday dawn. Book two nights if you want the morning. Drive time is to the stay, then a few minutes to the water.

Maps Call shop

Log this trip

Private. On this phone, and in your test book if you signed in on Journal.

Shops

L.L. Bean Hunting & Fishing

95 Main St, Freeport, ME 04032
Store hours vary; fishing department inside the flagship

Classes and a full counter. Tourist, but they will talk to a first-timer.

Call Website

Guides

Shop desks, plus a few independents who fish public water. We do not take a cut. Call them.

L.L. Bean — lessons and trips

Freeport, ME · lesson / shore · Walk-on classes and booked trips — ask the fishing desk

Good for: A first lesson, Portland-area day

Tourist flagship, but the fishing desk is real. Better for a lesson than a secret river.