Kennebago River Fishing Report Updated 04/30/24 (Bottom Of Page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Landlocked Salmon
(Wild)
Size
Medium
Location
Northwestern Maine
Nearest Towns
Rangeley, Maine
Season
April – September
Access:
Poor
Non-Resident License
State of Maine
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The season begins in April but you
cannot really fish until the ice on the lakes has melted which is usually around mid May.
Spring:
The fishing really doesn’t begin until
late May with the best coming in June.
Summer:
The locals don’t fish that much during July and August but there are plenty of trout to be caught.
Fall:
Fall is certainly the most scenic time for fly fishing the Kennebago River. The month of September brings on the fall run of salmon.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Kennebago River In Maine
The Kennebago River begins near the Quebec/Maine border at Big Island Pond in the Township of Seven Ponds. The river flows thorough an extremely remote and difficult to access location. It flows through Little Kennebago Lake and into Kennebago Lake. The stream flows out of the little lake at a good rate of flow and continues to terminate at Cupsuptic Lake.
Access is very limited. There are several camps along the stream that you can stay at with good access but other than that, you are just about limited to the bridge area where state highway 16 crosses the stream. There you can follow a short section of the stream via a dirt road. There is another access located about eight miles out of Rangely but it too is short. The camps do charge reasonable rates and are worth the price.
The entire stream is fly fishing only. From August 15 until the season closes, it is strictly catch and release fishing.
The river is noted for its dry fly fishing for large brook trout. It also has landlocked salmon and a few brown trout. Brook trout of around two to three pounds are common.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Kennebago River Maine
The Upper Kennebago River can be waded and fished both above and below Little Kennebago Lake. This area offers great small stream fly fishing opportunities. It is truly a remote and beautiful area. The lakes themselves provide great fishing and can be fished from float tubes or boats.
The early season fly fishing is done mostly using streamers, nymphs and wet flies. The Kennebago brook trout are big. Thinking of them in normal small brook trout terms will really throw you off. The salmon can get as large as five pounds and put on some very hard, fast runs. Whenever you are fishing, keep the size of these fish in mind and be prepared for their large size. Don’t end up loosing a trophy trout or salmon because you were under equipped in terms of tackle and gear.
The salmon stay in the river all year unless the water gets low and warm. They will move to the cooler deep water of the lakes if that happens. The salmon will return to the river around the middle of August when and if they do move into the lake in July. The brook trout will normally stay in the river but they may seek the coolest water.
The uppermost part flows through a series of lakes like areas and pools, runs, riffle section are mixed in between them. The fish are small compared to the lower section of the river. It can only be reached by back country roads and hiking. The stream changes below Little Lake Kennebago. Access to the middle section of the river is also difficult. You must walk in to fish any of the middle section or either stay with one of the local camps along the river.
There are many named pools along the river. Wading is possible along the banks of the river in many places. Again, hiking in is required unless you are fishing out of a local camp. There are two salmon spawning runs per year when the salmon swim upstream to Lake Cusuptic but the fall run is what the river is noted for.
Kennebago River Hatches and Trout Flies:
Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Kennebago River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, ave a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. 1-800-594-4726.
The river and lakes have a very high population of smelt. This is the main food supply that keeps the salmon fishery in great shape.
The river has a very good Green Drake hatch. It starts in late June. Blue-winged Olives are also present and hatch both early and late in the season.
There are several species of caddisflies that reside in the Kennebago River and Lakes. The Green Sedge, Cinnamon and Spotted Sedges, Little Black Caddis and a mixture of several other species hatch during the summer and early fall.
Dragon Flies and Damsel Files both exist, mostly in the areas of slow moving water. Imitations of the nymphs of either one produce during the summer.
Terrestrial insects including grass hoppers, ants and beetles are found along the stream and provide food for the brook trout when they get blown or fall into the water.
The Black and Gray Ghosts streamers are the favorite local flies for the salmon. The Kennebago Mudler is also a favorite fly. We think our Perfect Fly Mudler Sculpin is a great fly for this river.
Kennebago River Fly Fishing Report:
04/23/20 Stream levels are high and the
water still has a lot of slush and bank ice. It
should be clearing very soon.
05/18/20 Stream levels are high from
melting snow and ice. MIdges and little
BWOs are hatching.
06/08/20 The river is near normal levels
and the water clear. There are major
hatches taking place and trout are being
caught by our customers in good numbers.
06/23/20 We are getting some good reports
from customers. There are multiple hatches
taking place and dry fly fishing is good.
07/06/20 The river is running a little high
but falling. There are good hatches taking
place and we have been getting good
reports from customers.
07/16/20 Stream levels are in good shape
with lots of hatching insects. We continue
to get good reports from customers.
07/31/20 The river is still in good shape
with good hatches taking place. This
coming week should be another good one.
08/15/20 The stream is in good
conditions with good numbers of trout
being caught by our customers.
08/31/20 We continue to get good
reports from customers. There are good
hatches taking place and good stream
conditions.
09/20/20 The river is in good shape with
good numbers of trout being caught by
our customers. There are still some
hatches taking place.
03/17/21 The season is closed. Send us
an email for planning next year’s trip.
sales@perfectflystore.com
04/16/21 The season is open but there is still ice on the lakes. Send us an email and let us help you plan that next trip.
05/05/21 The stream is in good shape and most all the ice is gone. There are good hatches of midges, Blue-winged olives, little black caddis and little Brown stoneflies.
06/25/21 The river is in good shape and we are getting some good reports from customers. There are a lot of insects hatching.
07/11/21 The stream levels remain low but we continue to get good reports from customers. There are good hatches taking place and terrestrials are starting to work some.
07/18/21 The river is still a little low but in good shape otherwise. We are still getting good catch reports from customers. Excellent hatches are taking place.
07/25/21 The stream is still in okay condition and turning out good numbers of trout for our customers.
08/01/21 We continue to get good reports from customers. There are good hatches taking place.
08/12/21 More good reports have come in. Conditions are good. Now through the next month is the time you need to be fishing it.
08/19/21 Conditions remain good. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches continue. Get ready for the upcoming salmon fishing.
08/26/21 There is rain today and forecast for the weekend. The levels are high enough. We continue to get good reports from customers.
09/05/21 The stream is still turning out some good catching of trout and a few Atlantic Salmon. There is a lot of rain in the forecast so watch the stream levels.
09/17/21 We are getting good reports from customers on both trout and salmon. The fall run is salmon is underway.
10/04/21 Season closed end of September. Let us help you plan that next season trip.
01/29/22 Plan your trip early. Call us 800 594 4726 or write us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
03/26/22 The season opens in April and that is a week or so away. Now is the time to start planning that next trip. Let us help you with that.
04/09/22 The lakes still have ice. It may be several days before the fly fishing opportunity gets good. We haven’t received any reports yet.
04/19/22 There is still some ice on the lakes but it is going away fast as the weather is relatively nice. We will let you know when we start getting reports. Now is the time to get your flies and gear ready.
04/27/22 The river level is okay and the water mostly clear. There are major hatches starting to take place and trout are being
caught by our customers in good numbers.
05/05/22 Good Quill Gordon, blue quills, BWOs, little Brown stoneflies, little black caddis and other insects are hatching.
05/14/22 Stream levels are pulsing and averaging a little low. There are good hatches taking place and you should be able to catch some good trout. Let us hear from you.
05/22/22 More good report came in this past week. Lots of insects are hatching and trout fishing is good.
05/29/22 The river is in good shape flowing a little below normal level and clear. There are some very good hatches taking place and we are getting some good reports from customers.
06/06/22 The stream is a little low but in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
06/13/22 Conditions are very good. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
06/20/22 Good conditions continue to exist. Good reports are coming in from our customers – three this past week. There are very good hatches taking place.
06/27/22 Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good reports from customers. Dry fly fishing is good.
07/04/22 Good conditions still exist. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
07/11/22 There are a lot of hatching insects and our terrestrials are also starting to work. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/25/22 The stream is still in good shape and turning out good catches of trout for our customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/01/22 The stream is still in okay shape with lots of insects hatching. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
08/08/22 The stream is still in good shape and turning out good catches. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/15/22 The stream is up some but okay. There is rain forecast for Tuesday through Thursday. Our sculpin streamers have been scoring some good catches.
98/29/22 Conditions are good. Stream levels are near normal and the water is mostly clear. We continue to get some good reports.
09/06/22 The stream is still turning out some good catches of trout and a few Atlantic Salmon are starting to be caught. There’s some rain in the forecast, so watch the stream levels.
09/13/22 We are still getting some good reports. Good late season hatches continue and a few Atlantic salmon are being caught.
03/15/23 The season opens in two weeks from today. Now is the time to get your fly fishing gear and flies ready. Let us help you do that.
04/04/23 The season is open but we haven’t received any reports from anyone fishing the river yet. Let us hear from you.
04/15/23 We received one okay report from a local customer fishing for trout. There is still a lot of slush ice in much of the river.
04/23/23 Conditions are fairly poor. It needs another week or two.
05/06/23 We received our first good report from a customer this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
05/15/23 Two more good reports came in this past week. Good hatches are taking place. Stream levels are near normal and the water mostly clear.
05/26/23 Remember, June is the best month to fish the river. Stream levels are near normal and lots of insects are hatching. We received one good report from a customer.
06/06/23 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/15/23 Good conditions exist. We received more good reports from this past week.
06/25/23 The stream is in good condition with good hatches taking place.
07/02/23 Hatching insects and terrestrials are keeping anglers busy. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/22/23 The stream is flowing at a high level, too high to fish well. Give it some more time to drop and clear.
08/01/23 Conditions are okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
08/10/23 Stream levels are okay and the water is clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
08/19/23 The stream is still a little high but turning out some good catchs for our customers.
08/27/23 The stream is still high. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. He reported good hatches taking place.
09/03/23 The stream is still in good shape in all sections. Good late season hatches are still taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
09/10/23 The stream is still in okay shape. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
09/17/23 Conditions are still good. We continue to get a few good reports. The season ends in 13 more days.
01/12/24 01/12/24 The season is closed but it is never too soon to be planning and getting setup for the new season. Call or email (sales@perfectflystore.com) to let us help you do that.
03/05/24 The season opens the first of April and now is a good time to purchase the flies, gear and other items you need for the stream. Call 800 594 4726 or email (sales@perfectflystore.com) to let us help you do that.
04/02/24 The season opened yesterday. There is still some slush ice in some sections of the river as well as bank ice and snow. There are good light Green Midge hatches taking place.
04/09/24 Ice is still a problem on the lakes. It shouldn’t be much longer before conditions are very good. Now is the time to get your flies and gear ready. Let us help you do that.
04/16/24 The stream is still cold with some ice still on the lakes. We haven’t received any reports yet. Let us hear from you.
04/23/24 Conditions are still not good. Now is the time to get your gear and flies together and we can help you do that.
04/30/24 We still haven’t received a good report from anyone fishing it but it is getting near the time we do get some good ones.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.