Fishing Season: Late May through October

Kennebec River Estuary - ME

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Inshore Temp:

76

Offshore Temp:

66

Dave Pecci's Tip of the Week

September striped bass fly fishing on the Kennebec is all about the change of season. Cooler days and different bait changes the striped bass habits. Start looking for schools and individual fish in spots they haven't been all summer

Directions open in app

Map of Kennebec River Estuary

Tide data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Capt. Dave Pecci

5-Day Outlook as of 9/12/25

Continuing dry conditions will keep the flow low and the salinity up.

Techniques & Tips as of 9/12/25

watch for bird activity. This is when peanut bunker and river herring start moving into the river. Striper will come in from the beaches and feed.

Current Conditions as of 9/12/25

River water levels and flow have returned to normal.

Local Species Available Late May through October

  • Fish Icon

    Striped bass

  • Fish Icon

    bluefish

Dave Pecci's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Burk's Hot Flash Minnow natural 1/0
Bucktail Deceiver Olive / White 1/0
Clouser Minnow Chart 1
Cowen's Mullet N/A 2

Burk's Hot Flash Minnow

Catch big salt water fish with this baitfish fly pattern.

2.99

Item #46C8

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Dave Pecci's Recommended Gear

Description: About Kennebec River Estuary

The Kennebec Estuary is located in Midcoast Maine. Carrying 30% of the state's freshwater run off it is one of the largest and most important estuaries in the Northeast. The Kennebec is home to America's most northern native populations of striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, carp, American eel, alewives and blue back herring. Migratory species such as bluefish, mackerel, pollock, sand eels, Atlantic herring, and menhaden call the Kennebec their summer home. Merrymeeting Bay is the most expansive tidal marsh north of the Chesapeake Bay. Substantial tidal ranges and a tremendous variation in structure provides for a diverse fishing opportunities. Everything from sight fishing to dredging the rips with Depth Charge lines can be done on any given day. The rugged beauty of the rocky coast, the miles of pristine beaches and the wooded shores of the mighty Kennebec set the tone for a world class fishing trip. During the months of May & June the Kennebec is catch and release only providing some of the very best striped bass fishing on the East Coast. July - September striped bass fly fishing is also excellent. In July the bluefish show up along the coastal islands and beaches along with school sized (footballs) bluefin tuna offshore. August & September is the time to try your luck at offshore fishing for shark. Blue shark with the occasional mako mixed in cruise the cool waters of the Gulf of Maine.

Nearest Airport:

Portland International Airport (PWM) 45 minutes Boston (BOS) 2 hours

Bait Recommendations:

Sand Eels, River Herring, Alewives, American Eels, Pogies, Whiting, Mackerel.