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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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Help Us "Bridge the Gap!"
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About the Ladder
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Quilt Raffle

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.

Fish Happenings

Water is now flowing through the Fish Ladder!

Each fall, the water is turned off in the fish ladder to protect the stone structure from the effects of freezing and thawing. Its a real sign of spring each year when April 1 comes around and the gates are opened to let water again flow through the beautiful new fish ladder. Smelts spawn in […]

Alewife Festival Postponed

To conform with guidelines concerning large gatherings and social distancing, we have decided to cancel the Alewife Festival and the Run with the Alewives road race originally scheduled for May 23. We hope to hold a version of both sometime in the Fall. The Quilt Raffle will remain open with the drawing to be held […]

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.

The Little Fish that Could

During the past two decades, a cast of thousands has collaborated to bring millions of alewives back to Maine’s streams and rivers. Read the complete article by Philip Conkling in the April issue of Maine. magazine.




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