Orland Migratory Fish Celebration

Saturday, May 23rd is the day we celebrate the arrival of Alewives and Blue Back Herring, and Orland is rolling out the red carpet for their pit stop at the head of tide of the Orland River along their annual migration! Open to all the public, including children.

         David DePrez together with a committee of dedicated Orland residents are mounting the second annual Migratory Fish Day, to celebrate with and educate the public.

        “Migratory river herring successfully cycling through the waters of the Narramissic-Orland River contribute to the long-term health and welfare of our watershed,” says DePrez. “We are offering the public the opportunity to see them in their migration pattern, which has been so important to both the ecology and the economy of our town”.

Migratory Fish Day will feature viewing of the fish weir, led by Orland Fish Warden Peter Robshaw, speakers in the main tent, activities for children, booths with information, and snacks.

The date, Saturday, May 23 coincides with the biannual event World Fish Migration Day. “Our event will be represented on their website,” says DePrez. “Every event hosted for World Fish Migration Day helps to shine light on issues impacting fish populations and brings us one step closer to have rivers full of fish once again.”

Highlights  include the following.

●  Same day as World Fish Migration Day, May 23, 2026

●  Cheering herring migrating up the fish ladder of the Orland dam

●  Viewing with binoculars water birds hunting herring for lunch

●  Learning the role of Alewife and Blueback Herring in their habitat

● Children on an obstacle course acting the role of fish that must overcome barriers on their way to their spawning grounds

●  Recognizing watershed stewardship, past, present, and future

Event sponsored by: Town of Orland

Partners are: Hancock County Soil & Water Conservation District and Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust