The Umbagog Area of New Hampshire and Maine

Fishing & Boating

Androscoggin River
The Androscoggin River has numerous access points from the dam in Errol to the Nansen Wayside in Berlin, and the following are a few places to start your fishing, canoeing or kayaking trip.

Errol Dam off Route 26
This area provides access to the upper portion of the Androscoggin as well as to Lake Umbagog. To get to this boat launching ramp take Route 26 east over the Errol bridge and look for a gravel road just beyond the bridge on the left. There is a public water access sign posted there. Follow the road to a "Y" and take the left. The road leads to a large parking area with a tarred boat ramp to the water. This ramp provides upstream access only, as the damisimmediately downstream.

Errol Bridge on Route 26
Provides walking access for fishing (Fly-Fishing Only from Ecol Dam to the markers at the dead water on Bragg Bay), kayaking, and canoeing. There is a sandy beach boat ramp located 75 yards downstream from the bridge. Follow the foot path through the field at the parking area.
Seven Islands Bridge - Half way through Thirteen Mile Woods on Route 16 is a small rocky beach boat ramp to the south side of the bridge providing canoe and skiff access. The area is accessible to the handicapped.

Clear Stream
The best way to travel upstream is from the Errol Bridge on Route 26. Enter at the walk-in ramp and move downstream on the Androscoggin River until you reach the inlet of Clear Stream on the right. Canoeing remains fair in the wide river for three to four miles. The fishing can be very productive throughout the summer season.

Umbagog Lake
To enjoy full boating and fishing on this large lake is easiest from Route 26 east heading toward Upton, Maine from Errol center. The boat ramp is located at the bottom of the hill on the left. There is ample parking and it is accessible to the handicapped.

Akers Pond
This small pond offers some very good sailing, boating and fishing opportunities. There is a public boat launching ramp off Route 26 a mile west of Errol Center. The ramp is located just after the outlet brook on the eastern shore. There is Handicapped Access here but the parking is limited.

Other Ponds in Errol
There are several other small ponds worth no ting in Errol, some have limited access, such as Sweat Pond, Munn Pond and Signal Pond off Route 16, just south of Errol Center. Others have easier access, and are small enough to canoe or walk around and fish in a day. These include Bear Brook Pond, Long Pond and Round Pond located just north of Errol Center on Route 16, and Whaleback Ponds, Mountain Pond and an area of the Androscoggin River called Sweat Meadows, off Route 26 east.

FISH CATCH & RELEASE PROGRAM
In order to insure good fishing for another day, New Hampshire along with other sport fishing states is promoting a catch and release program. After catching a fish, time is of the essence. Play and release the fish as quickly and as carefully as possible. When landing a fish use a net with small mesh to avoid injuring it. A net is probably not necessary for small fish. Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. A fish out of water is suffocating and could be injured. When releasing a fish, try not to touch it while removing the hook and releasing it. If you must handle the fish try not to let it flop around or squeeze it. Holding the fish gently around the middle and upside down while removing the book, calms it and deters it from moving around. Remove the hook with small pliers or by using the thumb and forefinger to loosen and back out the hook. If the hook cannot be easily removed, cut the leader as close as possible to the hook. The hook will rust or fall out in a short time. To revive a tired fish, hold it in a swimming position with one hand under its bottom jaw and the other hand grasping the fish in front of the tail. Gently move the fish back and forth through the water until it is able to swim away.

STATE STOCKED FISHING AREAS

WARM WATER GAME FISHING

WATER TEMPERATURES REQUIRED BY SPECIES