Trap Count Statistics

These data are compiled by the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) using fishway counts provided by agencies, power companies, and a harvester. "NC" indicates a species is not counted at that location. Fish returns should be considered as provisional.

These fish counting facilities are typically operated from May through early November each year. Staff update the statewide trap catch summary weekly or more often during the peak of the fish migrations. The statewide trap catch table includes counts of sea-run salmon captured on Maine rivers and salmon removed from the river as broodstock for restocking of Maine rivers and DOES NOT include captures of aquaculture strays or captive reared adult salmon released from Federal hatcheries.

Historical annual data for 2013 – 2023 (PDF file, 192 KB)

Recent Trap Counts for Fish Returns to Maine by River
River Trap Location Am.Shad At.Salmon (MSW) At.Salmon (grilse) River Herring Striped Bass Sea Lamprey Trap Opened Trap Closed Updated
Androscoggin Brunswick
91
6
11
112563
3
734
May 1
November 15
November 18, 2024
Aroostook Tinker Dam
NC
0
0
NC
NC
NC
July 2
October 25, 2024
Kennebec Benton Falls
5
2
0
6551356
0
172
May 1
July 3, 2024
Kennebec Lockwood Dam
23
38
13
86467
60
15
May 1
October 31
November 11, 2024
Narraguagus Cherryfield
525
4
1
NC
0
33
April 15
October 4, 2024
Penobscot Milford fish lift
10766
1530
N/A
5476107
1
3417
April 19
November 15
November 18, 2024
Penobscot Orono
2
20
0
234153
0
1066
April 19
November 15
November 18, 2024
Penobscot Weldon Dam
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
November 12
November 18, 2024
Saco Cataract (East)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
October 31
June 19, 2024
Saco Skelton
66
1
0
48590
0
0
October 31
June 19, 2024
St. Croix Woodland Dam
0
0
0
610422
0
0
May 3
July 4, 2024
Union Ellsworth
0
0
0
767273
0
0
April 29
November 18, 2024

Atlantic salmon MSW = multi sea winter (≥ 63 cm fork length); grilse = one sea winter (< 63 cm fork length)
River herring counts = combined count of alewife and blueback herring

Data Sources and Details
River Trap Location Sources and Details
Androscoggin Brunswick Counts conducted by DMR and Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.
Aroostook Tinker Dam Counts provided by Algonquin Power.
Kennebec Benton Falls Counts conducted by DMR.
Kennebec Lockwood Dam Counts provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.
Narraguagus Cherryfield Counts provided by MDMR. River herring and small bodied(
Penobscot Milford fish lift Due to trap operations grilse will be added to the MSW counts. Counts provided by MDMR
Penobscot Orono Counts provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.
Penobscot Weldon Dam Counts provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group. River herring were documented in the fishway, but no counts are provided.
Saco Cataract (East) Counts provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group. No counts are currently made at West Channel
Saco Skelton Counts provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.
St. Croix Woodland Dam Counts provided by St. Croix International Waterway Commission.
Union Ellsworth Counts provided by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.

Atlantic Salmon Trap Protocols (PDF file, 44 pages)

Atlantic Salmon Aquaculture Escape Protoco (PDF file, 17 pages)