Paddling NB

Description

Note: Weather conditions can drastically vary the speed and difficulty of your trip. Please plan accordingly.

This was our second year exploring this area of the province. I had seen pictures online of someone kayaking around Fulton Island and thought it looked like a good option. When we pulled into the boat launch between the bridges we were happy to see that it was well maintained. It provided access to the water on both sides of the narrow island. We decided to start on the right in the narrower channel and return on the other side.

We started to paddle along the hardwood lined channel. The first thing we passed was another channel on the right. This ancient channel goes back along the road and was completely filled with green slime or duckweed when we passed. It would be a beautiful paddle if the water was clearer. We paddled some more and enjoyed the heat of the day. It was overcast but warm so when the rain started it was refreshing.

At one point I saw buoys along the right side of the channel so I went to check them out. They looked like some kind of fishing net. When I was checking them out I noticed that they were in the mouth of a small side channel. As we started in the small channel the sky opened up and it started to rain hard. The trees receded and we soon came out into Grand Lake Meadows. It was a wet, grassy meadow for as far as the eye could see. The rain stopped and the sun came out. We watched terns diving into the water for fish. After a while we returned to the main channel. I was thinking that it would be great to come back sometime and go deeper into the meadows to see what other wildlife I could find.

We passed several motor boats on the way to Maquapit Lake. When we reached the end of the island we were exposed to the wind coming off of the lake. This made it a bit choppy but it wasn't too bad. We explored the wetlands along this side of the island and saw several herons in the distance. Once we got back to a narrower channel and were out of the wind we sat and floated, enjoying the day.

We continued paddling and passed by a larger boat that was parked in a cove. At this point we could see the second bridge. Somebody was fishing near the boat launch so we decided to continue under the bridge and out into French Lake. We looped around and came back to the boat launch where we started.

After we packed the boats on the car we went back across the first bridge and checked out the other boat launch on French Lake. The next time we could use it to explore the French Lake side of the bridges.

Directions

From McGowans Corner, on Route 105 between Fredericton and Jemseg, turn onto Route 690 towards Grand Lake. Drive for 3.8 kilometres and after a sharp turn to the left you will cross a bridge. There is a second bridge right after the first. Between the two bridges turn right into the boat launch.

Other Routes in the Area

• Colwells Wharf to Foshay Lake
• Gagetown Island
• Oromocto Routes
• Fredericton Routes

Trail Last Hiked: July 1, 2023.

Page Last Updated: November 19, 2023.