This trip offers different take-out options allowing for various trip lengths. The river flows through a mix of farm and woodlands, and wildlife will likely be encountered on this trip. There is good to excellent fishing for brook trout early in the season.
Throughout this stretch the water is mostly gentle, but there are some Class I and II rips. This is canoeable at high to moderate water levels and can be kayaked during the summer months with a little work.
The put-in for this leg is at the Fish and Game Club boat launch in Ashland. Just over 8 miles downstream, there is a boat launch that is accessed from ME-227 in Castle Hill. Continuing down the river another 6.5 miles, there is a boat launch in Wade, accessed from the Gardner Creek Road in Washburn. From here, is is another 4.5 miles to the take-out in Washburn. The take-out has a trailerable launch ramp, with ample parking and a porta-potty. It is located just after a railroad bridge, but before the Castle Hill Road bridge, on the right. The railroad bridge will come up suddenly as it is just past a bend in the river to the right.
A USGS Aroostook River Gauge is located by the bend in the river just before the take-out in Washburn. Instantaneous river level and flows for this location can be accessed online.
For additional information, visit the Aroostook County Tourism website, or contact:
PUT-IN AT ASHLAND
From US-1 in Presque Isle, head west on ME-163 for about 19 miles. In Ashland, head north on ME-11. Go 0.3 miles from ME-163 and turn left to stay on ME-11. Continue another 0.7 miles to the driveway for the Fish and Game Club on the right, just before (on the east side of) the river. Continue past the picnic pavilion and the Club building another 0.2 miles to the boat launch.
TAKE-OUT AT WASHBURN
From US-1 in Presque Isle, head west on Parsons Road Connector. Go 0.5 miles and turn right onto Parsons Street. Follow Parsons Street along the west side of the Aroostook River for 9.3 miles, then continue straight across Castle Hill Road to the driveway and parking area for the boat launch.
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