Damariscotta Lake

Damariscotta Lake is a lake in Maine, near Lincoln County.

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Damariscotta Lake Fishing Weather

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Fish species in Damariscotta Lake

Damariscotta Lake is a lake in Lincoln County, Maine and covers about 4,666 acres, with a deepest recorded spot of 116 feet.

What Makes Damariscotta Lake Different

Damariscotta Lake is a long, deep Lincoln County lake with river-like narrows, coves and rocky points. Its long shape creates repeatable routes for trout, salmon and bass.

The lake reaches 116 feet and has salmon, four trout entries, both bass species, pickerel and perch. That breadth calls for splitting the day between shallow cover and cooler deep water.

Fish and Baits at Damariscotta Lake

Fish reported from Damariscotta Lake include landlocked Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown bullhead, brown trout, chain pickerel, lake trout, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, white perch, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Damariscotta, use a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait on rock for smallmouth, and fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at Damariscotta, use a worm or tiny jig near weeds and shade for pumpkinseed, and fish a small jig, minnow or worm close to the bottom for yellow perch.

Pike, Pickerel and Muskellunge

For pike, pickerel or muskellunge at Damariscotta, throw a small spoon or flashy swimbait along weeds for chain pickerel.

Bullheads

For brown bullheads at Damariscotta, put a nightcrawler or small piece of cut bait on the bottom in quiet water, especially after sunset.

Trout

For trout at Damariscotta, try a small spoon, inline spinner, streamer or worm near cool incoming water for brook trout, and use a small minnow plug, spoon or streamer in cool water for brown trout.

Salmon, Lake Trout and Other Deep-Water Fish

For deep-water fish at Damariscotta, troll a smelt-colored streamer, thin spoon or small minnow plug for landlocked salmon and jig or troll a spoon or minnow-shaped lure in cold, deep water for lake trout. Also at Damariscotta, use a small jig, minnow or worm when white perch gather over deep flats and drop-offs.

Where to Start at Damariscotta Lake

Troll spoons along the depth where baitfish are for trout and salmon, use tubes on rock for smallmouth and fish protected cover with a jig for largemouth. Perch call for light bottom lures.

On a first trip to Damariscotta, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Fishing Damariscotta Lake Through the Year

Spring at Damariscotta is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Damariscotta can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

Tackle for Damariscotta Lake

A medium spinning rod covers most casting at Damariscotta, while a second rod with enough line and weight to reach deep water is useful for salmon and togue.