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| IPSWICH
RIVER
Middleton to Topsfield, Massachusetts
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| PROPERTY
DESCRIPTION
The Ipswich River is a safe, flat-water river that runs
from Wilmington to Ipswich. Where water exists year-round, one will
find a richness not experienced in drier habitats. The riparian
ecosystems of the northeast are no exception. For anglers, this
stretch of the river is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The
best time for fishing is in May through the first week in June.
The river is also a great place to see and hear birds that nest
more commonly in riparian habitats than anywhere else, such as Blue-gray
Gnatcatchers, Warbling Vireos, Eastern Kingbirds, Swamp Sparrows,
Yellow Warblers, Common Yellowthroats, and Baltimore Orioles. |
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A
Paddle
Starting from the Route 62 boat landing in
Middleton, head down-stream. If you have someone to pick you up
at another location, you may want to do the 5.4 mile trip to the
take-out point at Salem Road in Topsfield - this is a small bridge
just upstream from the big bridge on Route 1 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds.
Distances fro shorter
trips from the Route 62 boat landing are: 2 miles to the Peabody
Street/Squash Field access, or 4.2 miles to the Lampert Memorial
Canoe landing on Rowley Bridge Road. Greenbelt's Killam Island will
be on your left as you go downstream about 0.7 mile after you pass
under Route 95. The tall white pines provide a dramatic setting
for a picnic, or simply a nice place to stretch your legs
If you don't have
someone to pick you up downriver, you may want to paddle downstream
and then return to the launcing site. The river is slow here so
the trip is relavitely easy.
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Activities
Birding & nature study, fishing,
canoeing |
Parking
Park on the north side
of Route 62 next to the river. |
Directions
From Route 1:
Take Route 1 north from Peabody, or south from Newburyport to
Route 62 West, which is in Danvers. The boat landing is on Route 62,
200 yards beyond a gas station at the intersection of Route 62 and
East Street. |
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