The stripers are in. Here's the water, the rules, and the rig.
The Kennebec run opened to harvest July 1. Where the fish are stacked from Popham sand to Casco Bay ledge, the 28-to-31-inch slot in plain language, and the surf setup we'd cast tonight.
Fishing spots
Water we know
Free tool · Beta
Find your water. Know your rig.
35 Maine waters and counting: the species in each, the baits they take, and the rod and reel we'd bring. Built from IF&W survey and stocking data.
Species
Know your fish
Gear & salt water
Rigged for Maine
Striper fishing in Maine: season, spots, and setup
When the run arrives, where shore anglers find fish, and the 2026 slot rules.
The Maine Striper Surf Setup We'd Rig in 2026
The 10 ft rod, sealed reel, braid, four lures, and the legal inline circle hook we'd rig for Maine's 28 to 31 inch slot stripers, from Popham sand to Casco Bay ledge.
Brook trout: wild water and how to fish it
Maine is the last true brookie stronghold. The ponds, the seasons, the spinners.
Maine deep sea fishing: what trips cost and how to pick a boat
Real 2026 prices by port, the species by season, and five checks before you book.
The method
How we choose gear
No pay-for-placement. No invented testing claims. Search links until a human verifies the exact listing. Read the method, then trust the lists or don't.
Read the methodHow this site works: every fee, season, and stocking fact is pulled from Maine IF&W and Maine DMR sources, dated on the page, and rechecked on a schedule. When we have not verified something, the page says so. About Tackle & Tide