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.
Upper pool from the alewives’ point of view. May, 2020
Fish Happenings
May 13 We have alewives….and more alewives!
The run is fully underway now. Alewives have moved up into every pool in the fish ladder and many are passing into the lake to spawn. We’ve been harvesting since Wednesday and many lobstermen have left with totes full of fish, which are the very best bait! Osprey are diving for fish right by the fish […]
May 10 First Harvest….for Mulligans Smokehouse
The alewives didn’t make a strong showing yesterday but this morning fish were streaming into the fish ladder and the harvesting area. It was a perfect showing for the first harvest, a few bushels of alewives for Mulligans Smokehouse. The fish are being brined and will soon be smoked—anyone wanting a treat of smoked alewives […]
2022– Harvesting will begin Wednesday, May 11
Harvesting alewives will begin on Wednesday, May 11. As in other years, harvesting will take place Monday through Friday at 5am and 3pm. There will be one exception— on Wednesday, May 11, the afternoon harvest will begin at 4pm so that the harvester and crew can take part in the annual FAC (Fishway Advisory Committee) […]
May 8 Happy Mother’s Day!
If you’re planning to visit the Damariscotta Mills fish ladder as your Mother’s Day outing, you’re in luck! Another school of alewives came in this morning and we expect that they’ll be making their way up the fish ladder throughout the day. The run should increase in numbers in the next few days and, if […]
Adam Ezra Concert
Monday, May 30, 4:00 PM at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta. Special guest Caroline Cotter. Click here to buy tickets.
Run with the Alewives!
What better way to celebrate the running alewives than with a 5K run? On the morning of Saturday May 28th 2022 at 9:00AM please join us for a healthy community run that includes cash prizes, professional timing and a gorgeous course along the Great Salt Bay!
2022 Quilt Raffle
Proceeds support our “Bridge the Gap” drive to replace a critical footbridge that spans the pools of the Fish Ladder.
Sad news—the Damariscotta Mills fish ladder community has lost a dear friend
On September 24, the Damariscotta Mills fish ladder community lost a dear friend— Barbara Betts (fondly called Barbie). During the spring, Barbie was one of the first people walking the Route 215 bridge by the fish stream. A fast friend of Mulligan sisters (Sal and MJ), Barbie could be seen at the smokehouse cleaning the […]
Help Us “Bridge the Gap!”
The viewing spot over the Fish Ladder never gets old, but the bridge has seen better days. Engineering studies are underway and we are asking you to partner with us to raise the funds needed to build a replacement. Click here for details.
