Make Your 2026 Fishing Season One to Remember

FLOAT, a map-based display of special fishing laws

Check out the Fishing Laws Online Angling Tool (FLOAT), a map-based online tool to give you a quick and easy way to see which of Maine’s thousands of inland waters have special fishing laws.

Remember, you still need to view the general fishing laws in addition to the special fishing laws for the specific water body. 

New age requirement for personal flotation devices in Maine

Effective January 1, 2026, children 12 years of age or younger, including a boat operator who is 12 years of age or younger, must wear a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on any watercraft that is underway and being used for recreational purposes. Exceptions to this requirement include if the child is below the decks, in an enclosed cabin or if the watercraft has a USCG certificate of inspection.

This change, initiated and passed by the Maine State Legislature, increased the required age from 10 years of age or younger to 12 years of age or younger to improve youth safety on Maine's waters. The updated age requirement now aligns with federal law. 

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife encourages everyone aboard a watercraft to always wear a life jacket. Additional laws regarding personal flotation device requirements can be found in the boating law book.