Downeast Fisheries Trail
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    • Alewives and Blueback Herring
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Shackford Head State Park

Deep Cove Road, Eastport

Encompassing 90 acres on Moose Island overlooking Broad Cove, this locale has a history of marine industry that continues today in varied forms, including marine aquaculture. A salmon farm can be viewed from Cony Beach, near the parking area. Beyond, tugboats and barges take advantage of Estes Head, the deepest natural port on the US East Coast. Shipments have included pulp and paper, cattle, even wind turbines. Several miles of trails cross the park and lead to a rocky bluff 173 feet above sea level that looks out over Cobscook Bay to Campobello Island and Lubec.

207.941.4014 | www.maine.gov/doc/parks

Year-round. Fee. Parking. Outhouse. Water access. Picnic area. Trails. Interpretive sign.

[Show slideshow]
Shackford Rt1N 1_Mytar
Shackford Head road sign
Shackford Head waterview
Shackford Head working waterfront
Salmon pens
Working the pens
Salmon in pen
Shackford Head DFt sign
Shackford Head Trail
Shackford Head interpretation

Fisheries Heritage

 

While wild Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine are listed as an endangered species, Maine has been cultivating Atlantic salmon since the early 1990s. Young salmon raised in freshwater hatcheries in Bingham and Machias are placed in cages or net pens in Machias, Cobscook, and Passamaquoddy bays, and as far south as Black Island off Mount Desert, where they grow to at least ten pounds over two to three years before being harvested. Production peaked in 2000, but lately has increased after a period of decline as management practices improved. In 2011, Atlantic salmon was Maine’s second most valuable fishery, after lobster. The industry remains important to the region’s economy.

Downeast Fisheries Trail Interpretive Panel

 Shackford Aq Icon copy

 

Activities & Events

Hike the trails at the park

September. Eastport Salmon Festival.

September. Eastport Pirate Festival.

Visit Maine-ly Smoked Salmon in Perry for a taste of the local product

Sources & Links

Eastport Area Chamber of Commerce

www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/shackford–head–state–park 

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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