Photo by Bill Banaszewski

Grand Lake Stream still ranks as one of the Pine Tree State’s premier spring salmon-fishing destinations. According to Richard Jordan, a regional fisheries biologist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), anglers who fish here once are sure to get hooked.

“This is a great stream,” Jordan said. “Its water is crystal-clear. The stream averages about 98 feet wide. The bottom is clean gravel, perfect for salmon to spawn in, and there are nice boulders that provide habitat for young fish as they grow.”

The stream originates at the outlet of the 14,000-acre West Grand Lake in the town of Grand Lake Stream. The river flows about 2.75 miles to the 10,000-acre Big Lake in T27 ED, northeast of Princeton on Route 1.

“West Grand Lake was one of the original homes of landlocked salmon in Maine. They’ve been here since the beginning of time,” Jordan said, noting that only four watersheds used to hold native landlocked salmon, including West Grand Lake in the St. Croix watershed. “These are all pure West Grand Lake-strain salmon.”

The good news is that the entire stream is fisherman-friendly.

“There are plenty of places to park,” Jordan said. “The eastern shore from Big Falls down to the meadows was donated to the MDIFW to be kept free from development. So anglers may park, walk in and out, and fish. On the west bank below Big Lake, the department has negotiated conservation easements.”

The region contains plentiful sporting camps and a local store where fishing enthusiasts gather. Kurt Cressey -- owner of the Pine Tree Store at 3 Water Street in Grand Lake Stream -- said that these days, he spends more time making custom maple-veneer backpacks than he does fishing.

The store provides beverages, tackle and advice. Every fly that works on Grand Lake Stream salmon is available, and Cressey is known for picking the right patterns for local conditions. Call him at (207) 796-5027 for a stream report and other information.

As you enter the village of Grand Lake Stream, a bridge crosses over the stream. The famed Hatchery Pool is about 200 yards above the bridge.

Just behind Cressey’s store is the hatchery. In late fall, biologists net salmon from the stream and gather eggs. For more information about the hatchery, call (207) 796-5580.

Because so many fish are held in such close proximity, a key consideration is preventing the spread of disease. Water at the hatchery goes through a filter to eliminate plankton, and an ultraviolet light treatment is then used to kill bacteria and viruses.

Humans who want to be near the fish can expect to be disinfected, too. Even biologists must disinfect their boots, gloves and other gear upon arriving.

The stream is open for salmon fishing from April 1 through Sept. 30. The creel limit is one fish per day, with a 14-inch minimum length. An extended catch-and-release season runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 20. During both seasons, the stream is open to fly-fishing only.

For a little variety, the MDIFW also stocks brook trout into the stream. The creel limit on brookies is two fish per day, 6-inch minimum length, from April 1 through August 15. From August 16 through Sept. 30, the limit is one fish per day.