Landlocked Salmon Fishing Guide

Landlocked salmon (Salmo salar sebago) are Atlantic salmon that were isolated in lake systems following the last ice age and adapted to complete their entire lifecycle in freshwater. Called 'sebago' in Maine (for Sebago Lake) and 'ouananiche' in Quebec, they retain the speed, power, and aerial acrobatics of their sea-run ancestors despite never reaching the ocean. Maine and Quebec host the most significant landlocked salmon populations in North America, with Sebago Lake the historical center of the fishery. Landlocked salmon are typically smaller than sea-run Atlantic salmon — averaging 2–4 pounds — but are regarded as among the most exciting freshwater game fish pound-for-pound due to their jumping ability and speed.

Landlocked Salmon is a freshwater species.

Habitat

Deep, cold, oligotrophic lakes of northern New England and Quebec, with a few populations in New York and Connecticut. Require cold, well-oxygenated water with abundant smelt forage; spend summers deep in the thermocline and move shallower in spring and fall.

Diet

Almost exclusively rainbow smelt, which are the critical forage base that supports landlocked salmon populations in New England lakes. Also consume alewives, young-of-year perch, and aquatic insects near spawning time.

Fishing Techniques

• Trolling streamers and smelt imitations with sewn bait rigs
• Ice fishing with tip-ups and smelt
• Fly fishing streamer patterns in spring

Best Seasons

Spring, Fall, Winter

Size & Records

Average weight: 3 lbs. World record: 22.75 lbs (Sebago Lake, Maine, USA (1907)).