Fishing is usually considered a past time by most, a time to get out of the house, sit back and relax. In Maine, that is still the case, however, Fishing is also one of the state's top industries, dating back to the early 1800's. Fly Fishing, Ice Fishing, and Industrial are the different types of fishing found in Maine.

During the 1850's, Maine was home to over 10,000 vessel fishermen. In some towns, fishing was one of the only occupations. Sea-Fishing became the staple industry of the nation's economy before the Civil War. In 2001, The fishing industry provided an estimated 26,000 jobs and had an $860 million dollar impact on the state's economy. Maine has more than 7,000 miles of coastline, however, only 25 of them are used as "working waterfronts."

Maine has a reputation for having one of the best saltwater sport fisheries on the east coast. It doesn't matter if anglers plan on top notch captains or guides, a fishing trip to Maine can help create memories that will last a lifetime. Maine has also been long renowned for its freshwater fishery, as well.

With the cold winter months in Maine, Ice Fishing is popular with visitors who enjoy the relaxation and friendships of a day on the ice. During the Ice Fishing season a variety of fish can be caught including; salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, togue and smelts. Bass, Pickerel and Whitefish can also be found. Around 75,000 people a year take part in the simple sport throughout Maine freely exposing themselves to bitterly cold temperatures and snow.