Salmon Bite Increasing on Sebago Lake

Mid May 2026 Fishing Report

As the water in the big lake tries to warm up, the salmon are responding by becoming more active. Water temperatures on the surface are around 48- to 50-degrees, that sweet spot that salmon love. Anglers are reporting good catches of decent-sized salmon, along with lakers on bottom or suspended in 50- to 80-fete of water.

On May 16, the Standish Fish and Game club hosted their Lake Trout Shootout derby and the top three largest fish were in the 6-pound range. The lake trout population is down 30-percent, according to the biologists at MDIFW, but this is what is likely driving the salmon numbers up. Salmon compete with lake trout for smelt, so it's a constant struggle to keep both species satisfied.

What Bait to Use on Sebago Lake

Anglers are still reporting their best success with bait, either smelt or shiners. Troll slow, 1- to 1.5 MPH and using snking fly line or lead core line. Lead core anglers are reporting fish catches using 2-4 colors out.

When to Fish

The salmon bite seems to be best right from sunrise until 8:00AM. Lakers are hungry at all hours of the day.

Angling should continue to get better as the water warms and smelt schools move round the lake. Tight lines!

About the Author: Tom Roth

Tom Roth is an avid outdoorsman who has spent years exploring and guiding on Sebago Lake and beyond. He’s been the Sebago Lake columnist for The Maine Sportsman since 1995 and is the author of A Sporting Year in Maine. Book a Trip with Guide Tom Roth