Androscoggin River Fishing Spot

• County: Coos County/Franklin County
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Elevation: 1251'
• Shoreline: 53'
• Website: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing/Fishing_Reports_2003/fishing_report_082103.htm
• Last Modified By: carpmaster on 02/19/09 01:33 AM
• Ask about Androscoggin River in our Fishing Forums

The Androscoggin River has it's headwaters and start in Umbagog Lake in Errol and Cambridge NH/Upton and Magalloway ME. It flows for 35 miles through rapids, riffles, pools, and fast-water before crossing the NH/ME border. It is a picturesque river, especially the section between Errol and Berlin, and more and more people each year take canoe and boat trips down this section of the river. Rt. 16 parallels the river's undeveloped shoreline, making access fairly easy from many roadside areas and picnic sites. There are so many fishing spots that crowding is rarely a problem except at the most popular spots. Fishing from a canoe allows even more exploration.

By eastern standards, the Androscoggin is a big river for trout fishing. But anglers will have no problem fishing from shore, by canoe or wading. In the upper part of the river, Brook Trout are the most sought after fish. A fly-fishing only section spans from Errol Dam to Bragg Bay. Below Pontook Reservoir, there are Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Smallmouth Bass. Year after year anglers find large fish in this section of the river, often fishing with minnows, shiners and worms. An added bonus of fishing the Androscoggin is the ever-present possibility of catching Landlocked Salmon as well as the possible hookup of a Northern Pike. Night fishing for Brown Trout is permitted from Wheeler Bay in Dummer, NH to 12th St. bridge in Berlin, NH.

The Androscoggin flows out of Umbagog Lake, a relatively shallow man-made lake. After flowing out of Umbagog Lake, the Androscoggin winds along the Maine border through Errol, Cambridge and Dummer before coming to a wide, slow section of the river known as Pontook Reservoir. After Pontook, the river flows through Milan and then Berlin. Today, the river is very clean, and trout fishing in this section of the river is great. Sunken logs from long-ago log drives provide nice habitat for trout and other fish. The stretch of river from Errol to Pontook is suitable only for canoe or kayak travel, because of rapids and shallow waters. Along this stretch of river, it is very common to see fly-fishermen wading in the water or along the banks. Access to this section of the river is also good because Route 16 follows the river virtually the whole way; there are many pull-offs, a few bridges, and Mollidgewock State Campground. Pontook is a water reservoir that opens up the river; many people fish and watch for wildlife here. From below Pontook to Berlin, the Androscoggin can be traveled by boat. Access along this section of the river is also excellent. Bofinger Boat Launch and Nansen Wayside Area provide easy boat, canoe and kayak access. This year, fishing in this segment of the river was very productive until the big rains of mid-August. Right now, the water is high and fast, making fishing difficult and sometimes dangerous -- but the fish should start biting again as water levels come down. From Gorham to the Maine Border The section of the Androscoggin that runs to the Maine border has undergone many changes over the years. Today, this fragment of the Androscoggin -- flowing through the town of Gorham and continuing through the small town of Shelburne before heading off into Maine -- is almost 100% better. As of the first of this year, this part of the river is catch-and-release only. This law was put in place to protect the fishery, but it also helps protect humans from consuming the fish, which still have high mercury dioxin levels. There is easy access to this section, because Route 2 closely follows the river, along with other rural routes and old dirt logging roads. The trout fishing through this area has certainly picked up in the last decade. Rainbow and brown trout caught by anglers are often longer than 20 inches. This great fishing spot was once a local "secret," but no more! Catches in spring and early summer here were good, though recently the fishing here, like the northern section, has been slower due to the high waters. As soon as the high waters recede, the fishing should be back to normal. The Androscoggin River is rich with history and scenic views. The river is a great place for anglers who want to get away from a busy day and relax in the wild and catch a wide variety of fish.

The Androscoggin River is a river in the US states of Maine and New Hampshire, in northern New England. It is 178 miles (287 km) long and joins the Kennebec River at Merrymeeting Bay in Maine before its water empties into the Gulf of Maine on the Atlantic Ocean. Its drainage basin is 3,530 square miles (9,100 km2) in area.