The Magalloway River

Upper Magalloway

This is the section of river above Parmachenee Lake.  Access is limited as all the roads leading to it are gated.  Most of the trips we do here are for clients staying at Bosebuck Mtn. Camps which is on the north west shore of Aziscohos Lake.  Guests who stay here have access through these gates.  Occasionally, we will use a canoe roller and walk around the gate and put in from the southern end of Parmachenee Lake.  From there we motor up to the inlet where the river enters the lake.  This can make for a long day but can be a unique experience especially if the conditions are right.  Think May – mid June and then again in September as the most consistent times to fish here.  Sometimes an abundant rainfall and healthy river flows trigger fish to move up from the lake even in July and August.

Middle Magalloway

This is the section of river between Parmachenee Lake and Aziscohos Lake.  It is accessible by gravel road.  Once again the best times to fish here are May, June, and September.  The upper and middle section of the Magalloway is a freestone river and for the most part it gets very low and warm during the summer months.  Early Spring run off coincides with the smelt run and this is the initial time in which large numbers of fish are drawn from the lake further up river. When the river level drops and water temperatures rise the fish begin to drop back down into the lake.  If heavy rains are received in September once again fish will congregate at the mouth of the river and work there way upstream to spawn.

Lower Magalloway

This is the section of river below the dam at Aziscohos Lake.  This is probably as close to a true tailwater fishery as the Rangeley Region has and the fishing holds steady all season due to the deep draw of cold water from the depths of the lake.  This part of the river can be characterized by fast riffles and runs with some pools in between.  The river then goes under a bridge located on Rt. 16 in Wilson’s Mills and begins to slow down, widen and form a windy path through more open woods and fields eventually emptying into Umbagog Lake.  Like the Rapid The Lower Magalloway is one of our specialties and we know it very well!  It is easily accessible from Rt. 16 and does get quite a bit of pressure but holds a very healthy population of sizeable Landlocked Salmon and Brookies.