What flies are hatching on the West Branch Penobscot right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the West Branch Penobscot include Hendrickson, Caddis, Hexagenia. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the West Branch Penobscot?

The West Branch Penobscot is running at 282 CFS at the East Branch Penobscot (proxy) gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the West Branch Penobscot fishable today?

West Branch Penobscot is outside its fishable window right now. Flow is 282 CFS at the East Branch Penobscot (proxy) gauge. Check back when conditions return to the normal range.

West Branch Penobscot Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

West Branch Penobscot — East Branch Penobscot (proxy)

Unfishable

282CFS

Discharge

4.36ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 1 hr agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

→ Stable

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

29.26 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

51°FOvercast

Wind 7 mph29.26 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

53° / 34°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

59° / 40°

Tue

🌦️

Drizzle

50° / 44°

0.33"

Wed

🌧️

Rain

60° / 44°

0.56"

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

2

Time of Day

Using: 282 CFS · Midges and BWOs. Salmon spawning — RESPECT REDDS. Releases winding down for winter. Cold tailwater fishable on warmer days.

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's West Branch Penobscot conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

West Branch Penobscot · November · Late Fall

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

Midges and BWOs. Salmon spawning — RESPECT REDDS. Releases winding down for winter. Cold tailwater fishable on warmer days.

Blue-Winged OliveMidge

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About West Branch Penobscot

Below Ripogenus Dam — arguably the best landlocked salmon river in the eastern United States. Cold tailwater fed by Brookfield Renewable releases produces large wild salmon and brook trout in dramatic gorge water. The smelt run in May and the fall salmon push are the marquee windows. Remote, scenic, and unforgiving — the standard against which other Maine salmon water gets measured.

HendricksonCaddisHexageniaStoneflyBlue-Winged OliveMidge

Regulations

Maine fishing license + separate Inland Salmon license required. Heritage Brook Trout watershed; slot limits apply on sections — check Maine DIFW for current regs. CAUTION: Gauge 01027500 at Millinocket reads ~15 miles downstream of the prime gorge water and integrates flows after the Debsconeag lakes — use it for trend, not precise gorge conditions. For actual release info, consult the Brookfield Energy / Great Lakes Hydro release schedule for Ripogenus Dam.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish West Branch Penobscot with more confidence.