Road Trip Worthy – The Chesuncook Lake Salmon Derby – 2019

Not every day you get the chance to fish an over stocked lake full of land locked salmon plus have the chance at winning $500.00 but this is it.

And on the plus side to making the drive is that not only is this a derby but it is also helping out our Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department according to a recent story in the BDN They stated that due to an over population of salmon state biologists in the Moosehead Lake region want us to thin the school by holding a derby on May 25 & 26. Although named for Chesuncook Lake which is known as a starting point for whitewater rafting on the Penobscot River and for the landlocked salmon fishery in the West Branch of the Penobscot. The derby also includes  Caribou Lake and Ripogenus Lake. As a bonus there is no size or bag limit on salmon under 16 inches on Chesuncook, Caribou, and Ripogenus Lakes. MIF&W is encouraging anglers to harvest these smaller salmon. This is their primary purpose of the derby.

The official rules state:

All fish entered in the derby must be caught between 12:01am Saturday, May 25 th and the close of the derby at 6:00pm on Sunday, May 26 th. You must be in line at 6:00pm on May 26 th to have your fish weighed to be included in the derby. Derby ticket sales end at 12:00pm on Saturday May 25 th . You must have a valid entry form to have your fish weighed. Fish can be weighed in at the Maine Forest Service barn adjacent to the boat launch on Chesuncook Lake. The weigh station will be open from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on Saturday and 3:00pm to 6:00pm on Sunday. A $500 prize will be given to the participant that enters the largest salmon.  See complete rules here.

First prize for the largest salmon is $500.00, Second Prize - $500 for a fish randomly drawn from the fish pool and other prizes possible in the fish pool.

All Maine Fishing Regulations must be followed and the winner will be required to provide proof of a valid fishing license. Ticket sale locations: Indian Hill Trading Post – Greenville Two Rivers Canoe and Tackle – Medway Allagash Gateway Campground – Chesuncook Lake Or online at: www.NRECmoosehead.org Tickets for the derby are available for $20