Photo by Jeff Samsel.

One of the Pine Tree State’s best-kept secrets may be that some of Maine’s premier trout waters, located on tribal lands, are open to the general public. Many anglers assume that non-tribal members are not allowed access to Indian lands without fees or permits, and so these waters don’t suffer much fishing pressure.

The fact is, however, that many waters in Maine’s tribal territories fall under the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s general rule. Even waters governed under special regulations have few additional restrictions.

As a result of the Maine Indian Claim Settlement Act of 1980, the Maine Indian Tribal State Commission has exclusive jurisdiction over fishing on any pond larger than 10 acres with 50 percent or more of its shoreline within tribal territory, and any section of a river, brook or stream where both banks are in tribal territory, or where one bank is in tribal territory for a continuous length of half a mile or more.

The commission has adopted some rules that affect certain waters within their territories. But for the most part, trout streams on tribal lands are open to the public under the general rule.

Check the MDIFW’s Web site at www.state.me.us under “Fishing.” Select “Open Water Fishing Regulations,” and in Section IV, click on “Indian Territory.”

Armed with a valid Maine fishing license ($21 for residents; $52 for non-residents) and the same common courtesy that anglers would show to any landowner, all Maine’s tribal trout waters might be fished by anyone willing to make the effort.

TRIBAL HOTSPOTS
Raphael Sockabasin works for the Passamaquoddy Indian Nation’s Forestry Department. He is also a registered Maine Master Guide.

Sockabasin said that Pistol Lake Stream, which runs between Middle and Lower Pistol lakes, is stocked with brook trout each year.

To reach the stream, go into Springfield on the Springfield Road. Drive about six miles to the Depot, then turn right onto Pistol Lake Road. The stream is about six miles farther in. A recent logging operation there created a nice landing with plenty of room for angler parking.

Near Indian Township on what is known as the Webber Lot, are the east and west branches of Musquash Stream. The East Branch contains spawning habitat for landlocked salmon, in addition to offering up great trout fishing. Drive to Waite, and then take the West Lake Road. Turn off at Talmadge and drive about two miles, where a bridge crosses over East Branch Musquash Stream. Travel west another two to three miles to reach the crossing of the West Branch.

Tomah Stream, another worthy trout destination, flows through Indian Township and Waite. The stream crosses Route 6, and Sockabasin said that anglers could fish from that crossing into Indian Township where the stream enters the Grand Falls flowage. There are plenty of places where anglers can find roadside parking to access Tomah Stream.

The Passamaquoddy tribe also owns land in Jackman, home to the Moose River, a premier brook trout fishery. Sockabasin said that the roads have just been graded there. He advises anglers to take Jackman or Hardscrabble Road and follow the river to find numerous access points.

The Passamaquoddy Indian Nation owns lands in six of Maine’s 16 counties. General-law provisions apply to rivers, brooks and streams in Franklin County. At Clear, Elaine, Big Indian, Little Indian, Trout and Twin Island ponds in Lowelltown Township, limit is two brookies per day, minimum length of 10 inches.

Many anglers assume that non-tribal members are not allowed access to Indian lands without fees or permits, and sothese waters don’t suffer much fishing pressure.

The general-angling law applies at Lower, Side, Middle and Upper Pistol lakes and the Middle and Upper Chain lakes in Hancock County, as well as in most rivers, brooks and streams. At Kilman Pond, the minimum length for brookies is 10 inches.

The general law applies to most Passamaquoddy waters in Penobscot County, including Mill Privilege Lake and sections of all rivers, brooks and streams in T5 R1 NBPP, T3R9 NWP and TAR7 WELS.