MerryMeeting River paddling

Merrymeeting River in Alton/New Durham is wonderful...just paddle away from the road and the whole world disappears! Access is available below the fish hatchery at the old New Durham dump or at the snowmobile bridge before you get to Johnson's.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on April 23, 2009 at 3:08pm: Sounds great! How do I get there from Rte 11?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rae Trafton Lipshultz on April 23, 2009 at 3:55pm: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/WMAs/WMA_Merrymeeting_Mars... This will give you the most information possible about all the spots to put in all along the Merrymeeting River. My favorite spot is after you leave Alton Bay and head toward New Durham, on the right just before the blinking light at Johson's restaurant. Don't hesitate to go UP river too as I caught some very nice fish going in that direction as well -- I think a lot of people go down river.

There is a very cool house (needs a little work but is huge) for sale right now on the river on 11 acres with huge frontage in New Durham, wish I could afford to buy a 2nd home -- I could be paddling there and fishing ALL the time! There is another place down river (you won't get there if you paddle slow though) that has year round and seasonal mobile homes for sale very reasonably. Being a real estate agent, I gaze at these properties a lot and wish I had something tucked away to buy one of these water or riverfront properties!

Hope this info helps...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin on July 1, 2009 at 12:22pm: Hi Rae,
Laura & I did this paddle a few weeks ago & loved it. Very quiet & peaceful, though the weather wasn't the best so we didn't go very far, but we didn't have to go far to enjoy it. Thanks for the tip!
Kevin; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rae Trafton Lipshultz on July 1, 2009 at 12:31pm: I'm glad it worked out for you! If the weather EVER clears up, I plan to launch further up this time nearer Merrymeeting Lake and Powder Mill Hatchery in New Durham as I haven't tried that yet. Johnson's Dairy Bar at the blinking light there in New Durham has awesome fish and chips, and their kiddy sized ice cream is way too big, even for an adult. We usually stop there after paddling for a late lunch.

Another place to paddle that has a decent launch with parking is in New Hampton on Winona Lake. There is a river that connects Waukewan to Winona called the Snake River. It is pretty peaceful and has a lot of wildlife as well - I disturbed a great blue heron as well as plenty of shore basking fish. My sister has mentioned White Oaks Pond up toward Squam Lake but I haven't had a chance at that either. Too many rainy days....

Let me know if you find other great paddling places, I'd love to try them too! Fingers crossed for better weather, Rae; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin on July 1, 2009 at 12:45pm: We paddle on Winona often, it's pretty close to home. Tried to go down the snake river once before but it's not very passable when the water is low. Probably wouldn't have that problem these days, though. White Oak pond is very nice, we've done that a couple of times. Another neat place near Winona is Hawkins Pond - keep heading north past the Winona put-in spot & look for Hawkins Pond rd on the right. Large pond, very quiet, lots of nooks & crannies to explore.

Our brand new favorite spot is Lake Pawtuckaway. We went camping there on a Sunday-Tuesday (bike week, actually) and pretty much had the whole island to ourselves, and the camp site was waterfront & launched from there. We had the only two sunny days of the year (it seems) and it was great. Pawtuckaway lake is awesome, like a Mini Winni, lots & lots of islands but not a huge lake and off season so traffic was light. Lots of blue heron spotting there too... But you don't have to camp there to launch, I don't believe. Very worth the trip, not sure but it probably does get very busy on-season.

Happy paddling!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin on April 23, 2009 at 4:02pm: Thanks Rae, I think I know the spot you mention. I'll check the link for more, thanks again! Happy paddling!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rae Trafton Lipshultz on April 23, 2009 at 4:04pm: Cool, found your band site on youtube and am playing your first tune.

We are big Meadowbrook fans -- just got Skynryd tickets today - yahoo! Also seeing Steve Miller, Styx, and more...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rae Trafton Lipshultz on April 23, 2009 at 4:04pm: I meant myspace, sorry.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin on April 23, 2009 at 4:13pm: Sweet! Be sure to check out the video. Those audios are kind of old, I really need to replace them.

We were at Meadowbrook last bike week. Fingers crossed, hopefully we'll be there again this year.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rae Trafton Lipshultz on April 23, 2009 at 4:28pm: We'll be going to the CCR revisited concert June 17th. Surprised Skynryd didn't do Bike Week again. Do you go or do you get to play in the 2nd stage area?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kevin on April 23, 2009 at 4:31pm: I've been lucky to play there once, on the 2nd stage. I do go to a lot of shows, though. It's the best place I've ever been to see a show, and it's 10 minutes from my house. Who could ask for more?; ▶ Reply to This

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