Maine Arctic char flash fall colors before Sept. 30 closures

Maine’s Arctic char — also called blueback trout and Sunapee trout — are native in the United States only in Maine and Alaska. The state still has 14 lakes and ponds with remaining populations, most of them in the northern and western highlands, and several of those waters are managed as heritage fish waters. In fall the fish turn a bright orange-red for the spawn, with darker backs and colored fins. Maine IF&W says cooling surface water late in September can pull them out of the deep summer holding water.

Registered guide T.J. Hebert has been on them this month and told the Bangor Daily News the fishing has been a grind. Wind and long days have produced only a handful of char and a few brook trout, with other fish coming off before they reached the net. He said the color is just starting and should keep building.

The clock is short. Arctic char waters close to fishing on Sept. 30. The list includes Black Lake, Deboullie Lake, Gardner Lake, and Pushineer Pond in Aroostook County; Long Pond in Township E; Green Lake in Hancock County; Rainbow Lake, Big Reed Pond, Wadleigh Pond, and Wassataquoik Lake in Piscataquis County; and Bald Mountain Pond, Enchanted Pond, and Penobscot Lake in Somerset County. Confirm the open-water table before a last trip.

Photo: Courtesy of Maineiac Outfitter (via Bangor Daily News).

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Bangor Daily News — Maine’s Arctic char are showing off their stunning fall colors (Susan Bard, Sept. 20, 2026).