Harvesting set to begin
Unless there is a set back, we expect to begin harvesting on Monday, May 18 at 5am.
Deborah Wilson
About Deborah Wilson
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The alewives are coming in, slow and steady
There are now alewives in most pools in the fish ladder making their way to the top. We anticipate that harvesting will begin on Monday morning at 5am.
Happy Mother’s Day!
A very happy Mother’s Day to all mothers! What a great day to visit the fish ladder (It’s a Mother’s Day tradition after all!). There are alewives to see and lots of bird activity—osprey diving for fish to feed their young, eagles, cormorants…. And there are volunteers at the fish house selling fish ladder swag […]
Harvesting 2026
The 2026 harvest will begin as soon as the big schools of alewives are in and the fish are getting into the lake to spawn. The harvest will take place Monday through Friday at 5am and again at 3pm. For more information, call fish agent and harvester Mark Becker at 207-380-7996.
Fish ladder goods and gear at the fish house this weekend!
There will be volunteers at the fish house this weekend selling fish ladder t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other fish ladder gear to support ongoing work at the fish ladder and associated facilities. Mother’s Day is a traditional day to visit and, even though it’s early this year, it looks like at least a few alewives will […]
A few fish are in the bay and in the fish ladder but…
The big schools of alewives haven’t come in yet. That said, if the weather continues to be sunny and moderately warm, we should see lots of fish soon! We have seen a few alewives, both in the ladder and in the talons of osprey so there is a chance if you stop by for a […]
The first alewives are here!
The first alewives are in and they’re moving fast from pool to pool, headed to Damariscotta Lake to spawn! We call these earliest alewives the scouts because there aren’t many and they move up rapidly. It’s always exciting to see the first fish!
Alewives are showing up in Maine!
There are reports of alewives in the Penobscot River, at Nequasset (Woolwich) and on the Eastern River, an offshoot of the Kennebec. Most important for us, lobstermen with sonar have spotted big schools of alewives close to shore and heading to river mouths! Osprey and eagles are looking hard—they expect to see alewives soon too! […]
Fish Ladder Goods and Gear on sale at the Fish House this weekend
Join us as we look for the first alewives this weekend! And when you stop by, there will be new fish ladder gear for sale at the fish house from 10am – 4pm. This year’s t-shirt design was created by artist John Whalley and it’s a beauty! It’s time to see the first alewives, the […]
The waiting begins!
The osprey have returned— they’re scouting the bay for alewives as they add sticks to their nests. Eagles are watching and seals will be arriving soon. So many of us, wildlife and humans alike, are waiting for alewives. The cold, wet weather isn’t helping to bring them closer though. A few alewives have been spotted […]