Welcome to historic Damariscotta Mills, Maine – home to one of Maine’s oldest and most productive alewife fisheries. The stone fish ladder that is the centerpiece of Damariscotta Mills was constructed in 1807 by the Towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle because, for nearly a century, mills blocked access for fish to the freshwater falls. In 2007, after two centuries of use, the fish ladder was in poor condition so a restoration project was initiated by a strong community group working with the Towns of Nobleboro and Newcastle and the Nobleboro Historical Society.

 

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Restoration of the fish ladder has had a signficant positive impact on the health of the Damariscotta River alewife stocks. Alewives are an important part of the food chain and they contribute to the health of the marine environment and to the lakes and streams where the fish spawn. In the spring, a few harvested alewives are smoked as “people food” but most serve as a source of fresh bait for local lobstermen. The Towns of Newcastle and Nobleboro have harvested alewives since the 1700s and, by balancing conservation and economic goals, they have carefully tended the Damariscotta River alewife stocks. Today, all funds received for harvested alewives are spent to maintain and restore the fish ladder and harvesting area.
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Fish Happenings

Big News! The Lower Fish Ladder opens to the public on Tuesday, June 2

Due to changes in state policy, the fish ladder will be open to the public beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2. We are excited to share this year’s great fish run, which will last for at least another week and probably for two more weeks. To take advantage of this awesome opportunity to see Damariscotta Mills […]

The alewives’ journey

This 5-minute video was taken at the Fish Ladder on May 29. Watch closely and you’ll see the alewives make their way from the lower pool to the higher.

So many fish!

There are thousands and thousands of fish streaming under the Rt. 215 bridge and in every pool throughout the fish ladder. Wow! What a year!With the fish ladder closed to the public, it’s been really sad not to share this extraordinary spectacle fully. However, many people have enjoyed watching the fish from the Rt.215 bridge. […]

We have plenty of fish!

Alewives are in hard and there are times when we have more fish than lobstermen who need them. If you need alewives, come on down! We are open Monday through Friday, 5 am and 3 pm. The harvesters stay until all orders are filled–or for at least 2 hours. They will also harvest midday if […]

Finally…we really have fish!!

Last evening, for the first time, schools of alewives bunched up in the bay and especially in front of the railroad trestle, getting ready to surge into the fish ladder. And so, finally, morning greeted the harvesters with thousands and thousands of alewives—-most heading toward the fish ladder and the 69 pool climb their spawning […]

Harvesting starts Monday, May 18

We will begin harvesting on Monday (May 18) at 5am. Harvesting will continue weekdays at 5am and 3pm. Depending on the tide, harvesting  may also  take place midday. Call fish agent Mark Becker at 207-380-7996 for more information. Please note: precautions will be taken for Covid 19.  The fish ladder is still closed to the […]




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