Androscoggin River Access. Photo by Beth Comeau
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) purchased a 51-acre property in Canton bordering the Androscoggin River that provides a trailered boat launch, hand-carry access, and potentially a riverside picnic area. The site lies midway between existing launch sites at Riley Dam and Harvey Brook, providing needed access to the river along the Riley Impoundment—a popular smallmouth bass fishery. The land straddles Rich (Dorey) Road, extending up to include wooded frontage along Route 140. The 8-acre portion bordering the river is mostly forested, and offers one-quarter mile of shore frontage overlooking Stevens Island.
The upland portion north of the road, which is completely forested (with some wetland areas) will be managed as conservation land for its wildlife habitat values. Following the land’s purchase in 2004, a small hand-carry site was constructed on the western side of the property, and a boat-launch and parking area were completed at the property’s east end.
The Land for Maine’s Future program supported IF&W’s purchase of the land. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration program, provided part of the acquisition costs and will provide seventy-five percent of the funds needed for construction of the planned boating facilities.
Closest Town
Canton, Androscoggin County
Activities
Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, walking, bird and other wildlife watching
Region
Western Mountains: Oxford, Franklin, Somerset
Acres
51
Directions from nearest town
DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazetteer Map 11, A-4. From the center of Canton, head north on Rte. 140 approximately 3.25 miles, turning right onto Dorey (aka Rich) Road. The riverfront property is on the right, just after the sharp bend in the road.
