Maine
Saco River at Cornish
Current River Rating
Poor · 37
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 370 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.44 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:45 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01066000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
62°F
Feels like
61°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.06 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 68°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 58°F
Chance 9%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 24 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 71°F / Low 53°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 56°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Maine Saco River inland trout reach at Cornish. USGS streamgage 01066000 provides live discharge and gage height. Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. This record is separate from New Hampshire Saco River catalog destinations. Confirm fishing regulations in the official MDIFW inland fishing law book.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Saco River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Saco River at Cornish on the inland Maine trout corridor. Brown trout are the primary supported target, with rainbow and brook trout also documented. USGS gage 01066000 provides live streamflow and stage.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDIFW Sebago Region manages Saco River corridor trout fisheries; Cornish gauge is on the inland Saco trout reach downstream of the NH border fishery.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Brook trout occur in the Saco River system; brown/rainbow stocking supports the principal Cornish-area trout fishery.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDIFW Sebago Region trout stocking and river management include rainbow trout on Saco River trout reaches.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Inland Saco mainstem freestone habitat at Cornish between the New Hampshire border fishery and lower Saco reaches near Dayton.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Drift fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public corridor access exists near Cornish; confirm current MDIFW access resources. Catalog coordinates are the USGS gage point.
Stocking information
MDIFW Sebago Region manages Saco River corridor trout fisheries. 2026 current stocking report lists brook trout at Fryeburg/Hiram and brown trout at Limington/Buxton on the inland Saco corridor near Cornish. Confirm current stockings on the official MDIFW stocking report.
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
Official sources
Regulations can change by section (Fryeburg to Saco special-law corridor). Always verify current MDIFW Open Water & Ice Fishing Laws for the exact Saco section you fish.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
York, Maine
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
York
Management Category
Coldwater river
Regulation Scope
Saco River (Maine / Cornish reach)
Regulation Summary
Maine inland fishing regulations apply on the inland Saco River trout reach. Confirm current seasons and limits in the official MDIFW law book.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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