Buying Live Maine Lobster in March

by M Stephen

Is it possible to go down to the boats in mid-March and buy lobsters right from the docks off the boats?

Liz's Reply...

I don't have first-hand experience with buying live Maine lobster in March - directly from the lobster boats - but you may want to get in touch with one of the following lobstermen...

...whose contact information appears on the Maine Lobstermen's Association website, www.mainelobstermen.org, on the Buy Lobster Direct from Lobstermen page.

Jack Bradbury
F/V Jennifer/Joan
jack@jbradbury.net

Chris Cash
F/V Priscilla Earl
Monhegan Island, Maine
207-594-5359
chris@monheganlobsters.org

Ryan Haskell
F/V Decadence
North Haven, Maine
207-867-4701 or 207-867-4658

Gary and Sue Hawkes
F/V Amanda Elizabeth
Cundy's Harbor, Maine
207-721-0472
hawklobster@gwi.net

Jason Joyce
F/V Andanamra
Swans Island, Maine
Swans Island Rent a Trap
www.swansislandrentatrap.com
lobstermobster729@yahoo.com

Bruce MacVane
F/V Scottish Pride
Port Clyde, Maine
207-372-8280
smacvane@aol.com

Bob O'Reilly
F/V Sunshine
Cliff Island, Maine
dianeoreilly@msn.com

Elliott Thomas
F/V Tiffany T
Yarmouth, Maine
207-831-6722
ethomas1@maine.rr.com

Jason and Lisa Zanke
F/V Renegade
Stonington, Maine
lisa_zanke@myfairpoint.net

Ryan Zanke
F/V Go Daddy Go
Deer Isle, Maine
207-348-6284 or 207-460-3250

Although the Maine lobster season runs year-round, Maine lobster fishing is most prevalant between May and October, when the air and water temperatures are warmer. The Northern Atlantic winters can be harsh not only on fisherman, but on Maine lobster boats, as well!

I have sent an email to the Maine Lobstermen's Association, in hopes of obtaining more information for you. If I hear back, I'll add an update here. In the interim, maybe another visitor will have their own feedback and post a Comment.

You may also be interested in my pages on:
How to Eat Lobster and Maine Lobster Recipes

Best regards,
Liz

Liz's Update - September 7, 2010

I just received the following email with additional information from the Maine Lobstermen's Association...

Hi Liz,

The information on our website is still up to date. There are quite a few
lobstermen who are still fishing in March, but it is definitely a slow time
of year, and days on the water are often limited by weather.

So, that makes is rather unpredictable in terms of purchasing lobster
directly from a boat. It's always best to check in with the local dock or
harbormaster to see what's going on in any given port. You may also want to
consider directing folks to the local coops. Many lobstermen base their
operations out of a coop, so you are more likely to find a steady supply of
lobster in the winter since multiple boats are selling there.

Thanks for contacting MLA!
Patrice