The trip starts as flatwater for a mile from the public boat landing in Soldier Pond. Just 1 mile from Soldier Pond there is a four foot drop, with a portage trail on the left bank.
The next 4 miles include a number of rips, but they are easy to navigate. At the 5 mile point is Fish River Falls, which is Class V. It is not advisable to run this section. A well used portage trail is on the right hand shore above the falls. The top of trail provides a beautiful view of the falls.
There a Class II section just below the falls, about 200 feet long. If a run is attempted, it should be ran on the right hand side.
The rest of the trip is easy, ending at the take out at the public boat landing in Fort Kent. The boat landing on the right hand side of the river just around the corner.
On the left bank across from the boat landing is the Fort Kent Blockhouse. This fort was built to protect the lumbering rights to the region and was the scene of the Ashburton-Webster treaty that eventually decided the border between Maine and Canada. The fort is open to the public during the summer months.
This is an easy day trip even with the portages that have to be made. It can be run with a kayak all year, and with a canoe during periods of highwater.
For additional information, visit the Aroostook County Tourism website, or contact:
PUT-IN AT SOLDIER POND
Go north on ME-11 for 8.5 miles from the Town of Eagle Lake, or south on ME-11 for 7.4 miles from Fort Kent. From ME-11, turn onto Soldier Pond Road, to the east, and go 0.8 miles to the bridge (Soldier Pond Road turns into Strip Road just before the bridge). Just after the bridge, take a left on Church Avenue. The boat launch is immediately on the left, across the street from the St. Joseph Catholic Church.
TAKE-OUT IN FORT KENT
From the intersection of ME-11 and US-1 in Fort Kent, head east on US-1 over the bridge and 0.2 miles to Dafour Street, the first road on the left after the bridge. Go 0.2 miles on Dafour Street, past the campground on the left, to the parking lot for Riverside park on the left. Take the left just before the parking lot; the public boat ramp is about 300 feet down from the parking lot.
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