What is the price of lobster in Maine this October? My records show that lobster prices are lower than they have been previous Octobers. The current boat price of lobster is roughly $2.75 in Cutler, where my family fish. This is a much cheaper price than the Maine lobster prices I have on record from October 2015. The market price of lobster is also a bit cheaper than in previous years. The live lobster price at Hannaford supermarket is $6.99 for a smaller lobster. These current lobster prices strike me as odd given that Maine lobster catches have been consistently down this year.
What is influencing the price of lobster this time of year? Typically after Labor Day, as summer and the tourist season draws to a close, there is a drop in demand for Maine lobster which leads to a drop in price. That said, the Maine lobster season has been an unusually slow one this year. Fishermen have been consistently catching less lobsters than they typically do throughout the year. While the lobster fishing would have been stronger this past week, given the full moon, the lobster catch is still down versus normal and some fishermen are even starting to take up their traps for the season.
So if you’re wondering when is the best time of year to eat lobster in Maine, now could be it. The lobsters are still fresh enough from their shed to carry that delicious new shell flavor and the price of lobster is cheaper than typical.
If you’re now feeling inspired, here are links to details on how to pick a lobster, how to cook a lobster, how to buy live lobster online for home delivery and what are some of the best lobster recipes.
Steve Doyon says
October 12, 2017 at 5:57 pmHi Christina – lovely blog. I have a lobster question for you. I recently purchased a home in Edgecomb Maine. I’m right on the Sheepscot river, and have numerous lobster buoys off of my dock, and several lobster boats harvesting here. My thought is to flag down a boat periodically and buy some lobsters (market price, of course!). My question relates to storage – given than my dock is in lobster waters, so to speak – can I buy bunch of lobsters, put them in some sort of box, and store them in the water tied to my dock? Then I could fish one or two (or more) out as I needed them. Does anyone do this? Thanks for you response.
Christina Lemieux says
October 13, 2017 at 6:57 pmCongrats on your new home! And great question. Regarding storing live lobster – my father regularly stores a few lobsters in a crate at the end of our dock for days at a time. Just be sure to keep the lobsters banded and don’t keep them stored there for more than 4 or 5 days (unless you are able to source some food for them – lobster bait or crushed up crab, etc). Let me know if you have any other questions – and enjoy your time in Maine!
Steve Doyon says
October 13, 2017 at 7:04 pmThanks for the reply, Christina. I assume it’s one of those lobster boxes that essentially float? Do you think they would keep a week or two if I put some food in with them?
Christina Lemieux says
October 13, 2017 at 7:24 pmCorrect. They’re called lobster crates and yes the lobsters should last a week or two if there is a constant flow of fresh salt water (which there should be at the end of your dock) and they have a bit of food. While storing live lobsters, the sign my family use to tell if those lobsters are getting hungry / don’t have enough food is if they’re starting to each each other’s antenna. If the lobsters’ antenna start to get chewed down it means the lobsters are hungry and need more food. Hope this advice was helpful. Best of luck.
Charles Fouquet says
February 12, 2018 at 8:42 amHello Christina,
Greetings from Switzerland!
Great blog you keep alive here, a real dive into another’s life.
I’m contacting you to discuss insights of Maine lobster – and its prices indeed but not only – as we are planning to open a specialized restaurant here.
Can we exchange a few emails? PM me
Thanks!
Mika says
February 15, 2018 at 9:15 pmLove your blog! As a first-timer going to Maine, do you recommend any places to stay?
Christina Lemieux says
March 5, 2018 at 5:59 amLet me know what area you’re looking in and I’d be happy to provide advice!
Mika says
March 6, 2018 at 12:29 amWe are flying into Bangor, staying for a week and open to any recommendations! Thanks 🙂