Maine Regulation Changes 2025

Maine DIFW extended the brook trout fishing season by two weeks on 14 designated wild trout rivers in Aroostook and Piscataquis counties, pushing the close from September 30 to October 14 for 2025. The extension targets fly-fishing opportunity during peak fall colors and provides access to large brook trout that stage in river pools ahead of spawning runs. The extended season is open to artificial lures and flies only; live bait is prohibited during the two-week extension period. Catch-and-release is required for brook trout exceeding 12 inches during the extension.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reduced moose permit quotas by 15 percent in the northern Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs 1, 2, and 3) for the 2025 season. The reduction is driven by ongoing aerial survey data showing moose populations in northern Maine are below management objectives due to increased winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) infestations compounded by shorter, milder winters that fail to interrupt tick population cycles. Reduced moose populations in these WMDs have prompted MDIFW to lower harvest pressure across all permit types, including both antlered and antlerless.