Using GAEZ (Global Agro-Ecological Zones) model, the agro-climatic constraints, soil, topography and other factors were used to estimate maize production potential in Northeast China during 1961-2010, and the spatial and temporal patterns of maize production potential caused by climate change in this region in the past 50 years were analyzed. Results are shown as follows: (1) The average maize production potential had a larger fluctuation in Northeast China during 1961-2010. The maize production potential increased by 80.00 kg/hm~2 per decade in Northeast China in the past 50 years; (2) Frequent changes of the maize production potential took place at the turn of the 20th century due to the changes in climate; (3) Heilongjiang province saw the highest total production potential of maize, namely, the increasing range of maize production potential was the highest, followed by Jilin province, and Liaoning province was the lowest in the past 50 years; (4) The production potential of maize fluctuated dramatically in Heilongjiang in the years of 1961- 2010, while Jilin and Liaoning were in a relatively stable state; (5) In the past 50 years, maize suitable planting areas slightly increased in Northeast China, which was mostly found in the northwestern Heilongjiang. Meanwhile, the area with higher production potential increased significantly and showed the trend of northward movement. This study provides a theoretical basis for efficient utilization of climate and land resources and the optimization of maize production distribution.