LivewellMaine · River
Penobscot River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Penobscot River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: Dioxins, PCBs
Maine also has statewide guidance
Maine publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 13 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Penobscot River below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Penobscot River
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Penobscot River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
Dioxins
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Maine's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep 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
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.9 mi Directions
- Castine Yacht Club marina 3.9 mi Directions
- Eaton's Boatyard marina 4.0 mi Directions
- Town of Castine Boat Ramp boat ramp 4.0 mi Directions
- Brooksville Town Landing boat ramp 4.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.