PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 27, 2025
Maine is the only state in the U.S. that still has wild populations of Atlantic salmon. The Sheepscot — a modest, 58-mile-long coastal river — is one of a handful of rivers in Maine that still support naturally spawning Atlantic salmon. Despite its smaller size, the Sheepscot plays a vital role in the path to Atlantic salmon recovery in Maine. The Sheepscot is one of only seven U.S. rivers with a genetically distinct population of Atlantic salmon. These fish are uniquely adapted to the local conditions in the river. The survival of this population is critical to preserving the genetic diversity of the species, and therefore, its recovery. Midcoast Conservancy and its partners are working on land conservation and river restoration projects throughout the Sheepscot watershed to help recover this iconic and ecologically important species. This work not only benefits salmon, but other native species and the rich biodiversity of the ecosystem. ~ Melissa Cote, Sheepscot River watershed manager at Midcoast Conservancy