A Maine lobsterman selling his catch. Photo courtesy of Laurie Cates.
Buying lobster off the dock in Maine can be a unique and exciting experience for foodies and visitors to Vacationland. As Maine lobster fishing is a day fishery, purchasing lobster directly from a local fisherman or dock owner means you are buying seafood freshly caught that day. So where can you buy lobster off the boat in Maine?
If you wander onto almost any commercial fishing wharf in a coastal Maine town on the afternoon of a mild summer or fall day you’ll encounter a lobster fisherman unloading his catch. Coastal Maine towns like Boothbay Harbor, Stonington, Winter Harbor, Jonesport and Cutler have multiple docks where fishermen regularly unload their lobster catches. As lobster is the main catch in all these towns, any commercial wharf is a lobster fishing dock. Sometimes these docks have a little shack manned by one or several wharf hands who buy the fishermen’s catch, sell them lobster bait and fuel up their boat.
Finding a lobster fishing dock in a coastal Maine towns is easy, but buying lobster directly from a fisherman or at a bargain may not be as straight forward. Most Maine lobster fishermen sell the majority of their lobster catch directly to their ‘dealer’ for a ‘boat price’ – a price which is lower than the market price of Maine lobster. And while a fisherman isn’t legally bound to sell lobster exclusively to his dealer, the fisherman may not be motivated to take the time to separate out, weigh up and sell lobsters to a tourist without a small markup.
If you are interested in buying lobsters directly from a fisherman, my recommendation is to politely offer to pay that fisherman the market price for the lobsters. Some fishermen will even insist that you pay the market price. Other lobstermen will always refer you to a lobster dealer / wharf owner if you want to buy lobsters off the dock.
If you are just looking for the experience of buying lobsters off the dock, the best path is often to approach the wharf owner / lobster dealer on that wharf and buy lobster from them directly at the market price. The lobster will be just as fresh and the process will be more straightforward. In the coastal town of Cutler, Little River Lobster Co. is the place to go to buy lobster off the dock. Dock owners Dean and Justin, or one of their crew, would be more than happy to help you.
This is not to say that Maine lobster fishermen aren’t welcoming of tourists or that they don’t care about the people that support their industry. Many fishermen will be willing to sell you lobsters off the boat and some will be happy to sell you lobsters for a special price, but it is helpful to understand the dynamics of how lobsters are bought and sold before buying Maine lobster off the dock.
During my youth, I worked as a sternman on my father’s lobster boat during the summer months. Most afternoons we would return to dock after a 10 or 12 hour day to be greeted by tourists, eager to ask us questions and buy some lobsters off the dock. Some tourists were super friendly and polite. My father often went out of his way to sell these tourists a few lobsters. Other people were just looking for a deal, hoping to get lobsters for a bargain price. My father would send those people up the road to Little River Lobster Co.
I would love to answer any questions you have about buying lobster off the dock in Maine, hear about your experiences buying lobster off the dock and / or to update this article with additional advice or tips from Maine harbors or fishermen.
Cheryl Mathers-Horon says
August 14, 2017 at 2:49 amWhat lobster festivals take place in mid September through mid October?
Christina Lemieux says
August 27, 2017 at 10:25 amHi there,
The bulk of lobster festivals take place in August but you can visit the Boothbay Harbor Fest in Boothbay from the 1st through the 10th of September or the Harvest on the Harbor in Portland in late October. Neither are officially lobster festivals but both celebrate local seafood and lobster is often featured. Enjoy!
Betty says
August 18, 2017 at 11:08 amWill be in Maine first time in Oct. Want to bring lobster back….so what is easiest way to do that….we are driving so will have coolers with us…
Christina Lemieux says
August 28, 2017 at 9:37 pmI’m assuming that your home is about a day’s drive from Maine? If so you should be fine buying live lobster and bringing it home with you before cooking. Be sure to bring some ice packs to place in the cooler to keep the lobsters cool (never place live lobster in actual ice). Then just buy your lobster from a local dock or grocery store the day you leave, place it in the cooler with the frozen ice packs and cook the lobsters within 24 hours… 48 hours max (if you buy live lobster the morning you leave, you could probably store it in your refrigerator for one night before cooking if needed). Good luck!
Ken GODIN says
August 20, 2017 at 5:03 pmLooking for a lobster boat 27 feet to 32 feet, by 12 or more wide for fishing, do you know anyone. My n ame is Ken, 516 984 8789
Abraham says
August 31, 2017 at 7:36 pmI want to purchase live lobsters. What’s your price per lobster?
Gary LaBelle says
September 2, 2017 at 5:13 pmHello, I’m a recent 34+ year Army retiree looking to buy 20-30 lobsters to bring down to some fellow retired veteran buddies in North Carolina in October. I live in Ma. and would like to pick them up on October 4th, and driving them down on the 5th.
Any suggestions??
Thank you for your time.
Christina Lemieux says
September 2, 2017 at 8:43 pmThanks for reaching out. My first thought is that, if at all possible, you’ll want to purchase/pick up the lobsters the morning you drive down (on the 5th) as North Carolina will be a long drive. That way, you can do the drive down and check on the lobsters when you get there and, if there’s still lively and healthy, have the flexibility to store them overnight in a refrigerator before cooking them on the 6th. If you really need to get the lobsters on the 4th, be sure to keep them in a chilled cooler during the drive and store them overnight in the crisper drawer in your refrigerator. Check them in the morning before you travel and again when you arrive in N Carolina to ensure none have died in transit. If one has died it needs to be cooked within the day. Best of luck with your lobster feed. Your friends are lucky to have you!
Craig says
December 26, 2018 at 8:08 pmHello. I looks like it’s been over a year since the last post on this thread. I hope it’s still active?
We are looking to visit Maine in January on the 8th, and we’re hoping that maybe there was an area in Maine where we could get cooked lobster off the boat? Is that a possibility? I’ve heard stories from Pilot’s who fly over, that it’s possible to get a cooked lobster and an ear of corn off the boat. I’m looking to experience something as similar to that as possible? We would be driving North the following day so it will just be a quick overnight and 1/2 day visit to Main. We have not decided on the best place in the state to visit could you recommend a city that would be a good choice? Thank you, and what a great article! Very informative.
Craig
Christina Lemieux says
March 20, 2019 at 2:38 pmDear Craig – thanks for your enquiry and sorry for the slow reply. My recommendation, given what you’re looking for, would be to do a Cabbage Island Clam Bake (http://www.maine-lylobster.com/2018/08/cabbage-island-clambake.html). The experience would allow you to ride on a boat to an island where you experience a traditional clam/lobster bake, complete with fresh cooked Maine lobster and an ear of corn. These trips leave from Boothbay Harbor. I’ve included a link with more info if you want to research further. Have a wonderful time in Maine this summer!
Delicia Ambrosino says
February 15, 2019 at 6:19 pmI have to say…my brother has gone to Maine several years in a row and always gets lobster dockside the day he comes home {NY}. He always thinks of me because he knows how much I love lobster. So, I know good lobster from so-so lobster. Fresh Maine lobster that Shawn has brought back has never ever disappointed. In fact, in all my years of eating lobster no other compares to fresh Maine lobster. It almost makes me want to move right on up there. lol
James Johns says
January 10, 2020 at 6:55 pmheaded to Maine in approx 2 and a half to 3 weeks from the sending of this
when i get there i would like to know do you sell tails and claws in case sizes
james 701*609*7526
Angel says
January 10, 2020 at 7:50 pmI’m planning a road trip to Bar Harbor in March and I’m very interested in buying some lobsters, crabs, shrimps and maybe even some clams, oysters and scallops to bring back home with me. Is this place a good place for me to stock up or should I go to Pine Point Fisherman’s Co-op in Scarborough, ME instead?
I truly do NOT want to return home without lobsters.