Downeast Fisheries Trail
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Cobscook Bay State Park

South Edmunds Road, Edmunds

The wildlife-rich waters of inner Cobscook Bay surround three sides of this 888-acre state park, providing opportunities to watch birds, explore the shoreline, and (carefully!) observe the ebb and flow of the region’s impressive tides. A water access ramp at the north end of the park provides a view of Whiting Bay, where fishermen may be seen digging clams and bait worms from the mud or collecting periwinkles (“wrinkles”) from the intertidal zone. Scallop and urchin fishing vessels anchor in the sheltered bay in summer. A Community Development Block Grant and the US Department of Agriculture provided funds to conserve the property to provide water access for multiple uses.

207.726.4412 | www.maine.gov/doc/parks

Year-round. Fee. Parking. Restrooms. Accessible. Water access. Picnic area. Camping. Trails. Interpretive sign.

The Sisters islands
Cobscook Bay State Park
Cobscook Bay State Park ramp
Cobscook Bay State Park pier
Boats at Cobscook
Cobscook Bay beach
Cobscook Bay tides
Seaweed
Periwinkle
Dredge at Cobscook.
common periwinkles
Scallop and sea star
Urchins
Tide current warning
Cobscook DFT signage
Cobscook DFT signage
Cobscook DFT signage

Fisheries Heritage

 

Commercial fisheries in Cobscook Bay include scallops, sea urchins, mussels, periwinkles, and soft-shell clams. Scallops are harvested primarily by 35-45 foot “draggers,” although some fishermen SCUBA dive for scallops. People also dive for urchins. Periwinkles and whelks are picked by hand from the rocks, and rockweed and other seaweeds are harvested with rakes.

Downeast Fisheries Trail Interpretive Panel

Cobscook Icon copy

Activities & Events

 

Boaters use caution! The average rise and fall of tides in Cobscook Bay is 24 feet every six hours, or one foot every 15 minutes. These rapid fluctuations create strong currents, reversing falls, whirlpools, and submerged rocks. Navigation in the bay is extremely hazardous, and beached boats should not be left unattended.

 

Visit nearby Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge.

 

Hikers can purchase a map of Cobscook Trails from local outlets.

Trail Sites

  • Abbe Museum
  • Bad Little Falls Park
  • Bar Harbor Town Park
  • Bar Harbor Town Pier
  • Beals Heritage Center
  • Bucksport Waterfront
  • Cable Pool Park
  • Carryingplace Cove
  • Cobscook Bay Resource Center
  • Cobscook Bay State Park
  • Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery
  • Deer Isle – Stonington Historical Society
  • Downeast Institute
  • Frazer Point
  • Frenchman Bay Overlook
  • Frenchman Bay Scenic Turnout
  • Gleason Cove Park
  • Gordon’s Wharf
  • Great Harbor Maritime Museum
  • Green Lake National Fish Hatchery
  • Henry Cove
  • Islesford Historical Museum
  • Jonesport Historical Society
  • Long Cove
  • Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries (formerly Penobscot East Resource Center)
  • Maine Coast Sardine History Museum
  • McCurdy’s Smokehouse
  • Milbridge Historical Museum
  • Milbridge Town Marina
  • Morong Cove
  • Mount Desert Oceanarium
  • Naskeag Point
  • Otter Cove
  • Penobscot Marine Museum
  • Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory & Fort Knox
  • Peter Gray Hatchery
  • Pleasant River Hatchery
  • Prospect Harbor
  • Quoddy Head State Park
  • Roosevelt-Campobello International Park
  • Shackford Head State Park
  • Somesville Mill Pond
  • Taunton Bay Gateway
  • Tidal Falls
  • Waponahki Museum & Resource Center

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The Downeast Fisheries Trail consists of 45 locations from Penobscot Bay, Maine, to Passamaquoddy Bay, New Brunswick, that showcase active and historic fisheries heritage sites, such as fish hatcheries, aquaculture facilities, fishing harbors, clam flats, processing plants, historical societies, community centers, parks, and other related places. The Trail is an effort to raise awareness among residents and visitors of the importance of the region’s maritime heritage and the role of marine resources to the area’s economy. The Trail builds on these local resources to strengthen community life and the experience of visitors.

For a printed map-brochure of the Trail, please call 207.581.1435.

Download the web version of the map-brochure. (6.8 MB)

For more information about the Downeast Fisheries Trail, email or call 207.288.2944 x5834.

Downeast Fisheries Trail Brochure Map - Web Version

Downeast Fisheries Trail Brochure Map - Web Version

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