Skip to main content

Kennebec River Guided Float Fishing Trips

Access water that wading anglers simply can't reach, by canoe or raft on the Solon, Bingham and Shawmut stretches of the Kennebec.

Check AvailabilityCall (207) 313-1372

Prefer to talk? (207) 313-1372Email us

Veteran-Owned & Operated
Registered Maine Guides
30+ Years in the Maine Woods
Licensed, Insured & MPGA Members

Why Float the Kennebec

Cover Miles of River in a Single Day

Float fishing is the most efficient way to fish a big river. We drift four to eight miles of the historic Kennebec, putting your fly or lure in front of fish that shoreline anglers simply cannot reach. Whether you are a fly angler chasing the Kennebec Slam or a spin angler after a high-action day of smallmouth bass, the boat does the work.

  • Cover more groundRemote pools and runs that are inaccessible on foot.
  • The perfect driftWe match the boat to the current for a drag-free drift.
  • Canoes and raftsBuilt for safety and fishability, with flies, lures and tackle provided.

Please note: a basic knowledge of canoes and paddling is required for all guests before the trip.

Drift boat fishing on the Kennebec River for salmon and trout
The Trout & Salmon Float

The Trout & Salmon Float

This 8-mile stretch of the Kennebec River is steeped in history.

  • Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
  • Distance: 8 Miles
  • Inclusions: Lunch provided. Includes opportunities to stop, wade, or swim.
  • Logistics: Up to 2 anglers  (groups >2 requires a 2nd guide)
Trip details

This 8-mile stretch of the Kennebec River is steeped in history. Once the highway for massive log drives, the river bottom is lined with submerged timber that provides perfect habitat for big fish.

The Goal: This is one of the few places in the East where you can achieve the "Kennebec Slam" in a single day: catching a Landlocked Salmon, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout.

Details:

Starts at$550Request this trip
The Shawmut Section

The Shawmut Section

Prepare for a workout.

  • Duration: 4 - 6 Hours
  • Distance: 4 Miles
  • Experience: High volume / Fast pace.
  • Logistics: Logistics: Up to 2 anglers  (groups >2 requires a 2nd guide)
Trip details

Prepare for a workout. The Shawmut section of the Kennebec is renowned for its high-volume Smallmouth Bass fishing. 

The Numbers: It is not uncommon to boat 20 to 50 bass in a single trip. These river bass are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish in fresh water.

The Technique: This is a fast-paced trip. We cast topwater lures, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics into eddies and behind rocks. The strikes are aggressive and frequent.

Details:

Starts at$400Request this trip

Check Availability

What You Might Catch

Main Target Species

  • Landlocked salmon
  • Brook trout
  • Brown trout
  • Rainbow trout
  • Smallmouth bassShawmut Section

Salmon plus brook, brown and rainbow trout on one float is the Kennebec Slam. Northern pike are a summer fallback.

Seasonality: When to Book

May – June

Peak Salmon and Trout fishing. The water is cold and the fish are hungry after winter.

July – August

Prime Smallmouth Bass season. The topwater bite is on fire.

September – October

Fall foliage drifts. The big Brown Trout turn aggressive again as they prepare to spawn.

When we fish for trout

We run trout trips from ice-out in the spring through mid-July, and again from mid-September through the close of the season. Those are the stretches when the water is cold and well oxygenated, the fish are strong, and the fishing is at its very best.

From July 15 to September 15 we rest the trout water. Warm summer flows are hard on trout, and a fish released into warm water often does not survive. In those weeks we will put you on smallmouth bass, pike, or a river float instead — still a full day on the water with a Registered Maine Guide.

What our clients say

Anthony Thibodeau's Outdoor Adventures proved to be a wise choice given the multitude of options available. Anything you could want or ask for on a fishing expedition Tony delivered: on time, proper equipment, correct supplies, excellent service, enjoyable conversationalist, keen listener to specific requests, knowledgeable fisherman, experienced boatsman, competitive price. I intentionally put cost last because, in hindsight, I would have been willing to pay even more had I known the service provided. In a sentence: look no further! I couldn't recommend Tony and his commitment to an outstanding outdoor experience more highly!

Christopher S

Make a Memory

about-line-1

Join Us On Your Next Guided Float Fishing Trip

Start Your Adventure Today

Let’s Plan Your Kennebec Float Trip

    Tell us what you are after and when you are hoping to go. We will check the calendar and come back to you by email or phone.

    Which trip are you interested in? (required)

    Choose as many as you like.

    Add trip details (optional)

    All optional. Fill in as much or as little as you like — or leave it blank and we will work it out with you.

    When are you hoping to go?

    Give us a single date, a range, or a few options that could work. This form does not reserve dates — we will check availability and confirm with you.

    We usually reply within 24 hours. Prefer to talk it through? Call (207) 313-1372.

    Booking & Policies

    How cancellations work

    • Free rescheduling 30+ days outCancel 30 or more days before your trip and your deposit moves to a new date.
    • Inside 30 days, the deposit is keptIf you cancel with less than 30 days’ notice, or don’t show up, the deposit is forfeited.
    • If we cancel, you chooseIf we call a trip off for weather, unsafe conditions or any other reason, you pick a new date or a full refund.

    How you pay

    • 50% deposit holds your datesRequired for every trip and non-refundable. Pay it by Venmo, check or cash.
    • Balance due at the start of your tripPay the remainder on the day by Venmo, check or cash.
    • Nothing to pay to askSending an enquiry is free. Nothing is taken until we confirm your dates.

    Before You Book

    Common Questions

    What float trips do you run on the Kennebec?

    The Trout and Salmon float covers an eight-mile stretch over eight to ten hours, starting at $550 with lunch. The Shawmut section is a faster four to six hours across four miles, starting at $400.

    How many people can come?

    Two anglers per canoe. Larger groups are fine, they just need a second guide.

    What time of year fishes best?

    May and June for salmon and trout, July and August for smallmouth bass, and September and October for the fall foliage drifts.

    Can we stop and wade?

    Yes. A float day usually includes chances to get out, wade a section, or swim.

    From the Field

    Guide Notes on This Trip

    Tips and stories from our guides that pair well with this adventure.

    The #1 Spring Fishing Prep Mistake That Will Cost You a Trophy FishRead the article →The Biggest Mistake New Anglers Make with Beginner Fly Fishing SetupsRead the article →Things to Do in Augusta, Maine: The Kennebec, the Capital and WMD 16 and 23Read the article →Things to Do in Waterville, Maine: Art, the Kennebec and WMD 23Read the article →

    Read the rest of the blog →