Northern Maine Water Trail Map & Guide ACT 2018 Water Trails | Page 4

East Branch of the Mattawamkeag River
This is an approximately 14 mile trip and will probably require
a full day to run. You will be going through some of the most
remote country in southern Aroostook County.
Put in at the Red Bridge off the South Oakfi eld Road, MAG 52 B5.
Most of the river is fl at with some Class II water. Spring run-offs
can produce substantially higher water ratings.
About 5 to 5.5 miles below Red Bridge, there is a section of river
referred to as Smooth Pitch which is anything but. The portage
trail to get around this is on the right hand side. It is a section of
Class III to IV whitewater that should not be run by anyone but
the most competent paddlers.
Below this section, one will only have to deal with the narrow
section at the snowmobile bridge. Use caution here as only good
paddlers should attempt this small section. The best portage trail
is on the left banking.
From the snowmobile bridge to Haynesville, it is easy to negotiate
with some small rips and long deadwaters.
You can take out at either the Bell Field Picnic Area Bridge, MAG
53 D2, or continue down river another 4 to 5 miles to the Route
2A bridge, MAG 53 E2.
This river can only be run in a canoe during spring highwater. The
river can be run with a kayak during the course of the season
except in abnormally low water conditions.
Good to excellent trout fi shing can be had in the spring and early
summer months.
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