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Fish consumption advisories

Maine

Maine publishes advisories for 27 waters, covering 46 species-and-size recommendations.

Contaminants of concern: Dioxins, Mercury, PCBs, PFAS

Statewide advisory

These apply across Maine, including waters with no specific advisory of their own.

  • All Other Species General population Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. Statewide mercury advisory
  • All Other Species Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide mercury advisory
  • Atlantic Salmon General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide mercury advisory
  • Atlantic Salmon Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Statewide mercury advisory
  • Bluefish General population Limit to 4 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory
  • Bluefish Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory
  • Brook Trout General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide mercury advisory
  • Brook Trout Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. Statewide mercury advisory
  • King Mackerel Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory
  • Shark Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory
  • Striped Bass General population Limit to 4 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory
  • Striped Bass Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory
  • Swordfish Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide coastal advisory

Waters with advisories in Maine

27 waters on file. A water not listed here has no advisory in the state's data — which usually means it has never been sampled, not that it's been cleared.

Lakes 4

Ponds 5

Rivers 18

Maine statewide fishing limits

Statewide defaults — specific waters and zones may differ. Verify the current rules before keeping a fish.

SpeciesSizeDaily limitOpen seasonKeep season
Brook Trout 6" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Atlantic Salmon 14" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Lake Trout 18" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Brown Trout 14" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Rainbow Trout 12" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Splake 2 Year-round Same as open
Largemouth Bass 2 Year-round Same as open
Smallmouth Bass 2 Year-round Same as open
Chain Pickerel Year-round Same as open
White Perch Year-round Same as open
Yellow Perch Year-round Same as open
Black Crappie Year-round Same as open
Northern Pike Year-round Same as open
Muskellunge Year-round Same as open
Burbot Year-round Same as open

Official rules: Maine — Maine IFW general law

Where this comes from

Advisories
Maine CDC — Freshwater Fish Safe Eating Guidelines
Regulations
Maine — Maine IFW general law
All sources
Every state's official source