Fish Ladder Tour

Adults and children are invited to view the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's fish ladder in downtown Exeter to see the fish making their annual spring journey around Great Dam from salt to fresh water.

(Public access to the fish ladder is available next to 11 Water Street restaurant in downtown Exeter.) 

Staff from Fish and Game will be on hand to explain the purpose of the fish ladder, describe the types of fish using the ladder and the department's extensive habitat restoration efforts.

Migratory fish such as smelt, alewife, blueblack herring, American shad, American Eel, and sea lamprey all migrate between freshwater and saltwater.  These fish face significant challenges on route, including dams such as Great Dam and degrading water quality upstream.  On-going efforts to improve and sustain the ecological health of the Exeter and Squamscott Rivers, as well as other tributaries to Great Bay, are important for maintaining diverse fish stocks in the watershed.

Dress for the weather and join us!

This free event is presented by the Exeter River Local Advisory Committee (ERLAC) and the Exeter Conservation Commission in partnership with the NH Fish and Game Department. 

For more information call ERLAC at 603-778-0885 or online at www.exeterriver.org.