Located near Georgetown’s Five Islands, Reid State Park is a wonder. This park is comprised of two distinct beaches, Mile Beach and Half-Mile Beach which are separated by ledge and rocky outcroppings. The park is only about 2 miles from Popham as the crow flies, but is very different. It sits about halfway between the mouth of the Kennebec River and Sheepscot Bay and faces due east.

When compared to Popham, Reid is much smaller in scale, but no less dramatic. From the shore, looking to the southwest, you can see Seguin Island lighthouse sitting majestically on the horizon . To the east you can clearly make out the Cockolds which are off the tip of Southport Island and mark the entrance to Boothbay Harbor. The sand at Reid is coarse and the beach slopes steeply to the water. Being exposed to open ocean, the waves are heavy and when the surfs-up, they crash onto the shore with significant force. So, take care when fishing the ledges, as waves can quickly sweep you off your feet.

For striper fishermen this location offers some great fishing opportunity. In mid-summer, when the waters of the tidal estuaries warm, stripers seek out deep, cool waters adjacent to structure. Reid offers the perfect habitat. Stripers hold in these cooler oxygen rich waters and move onto the beach and rocky shoreline to feed. Every year we hear of some really big fish being caught there.

Angler’s do well throwing poppers along the rocky outcrops and fishing bait from the beach. And for fly fishermen their’s even a small tidal estuary, the Little River, which offers great wading and good fishing off its mouth.

Spending time exploring the fishing opportunities of this beach is well worth the effort. Not only will you stand a chance of catching some nice fish, but you will experience the pristine scenery and some interesting wildlife. I’ve walked the beach at low tide before and found scallops stranded by the tide. And then their are the birds; sea gulls, ducks, bald eagles, ospreys and sand pipers who chance fate with the waves, then dart out of their way just in time.

If you get there at odd hours your likely to have the beach all to yourself. At peak hours the crowds are small and typically limited to the areas in close proximity to the parking lots. But even when crowded, their is plenty of space to spread out and find solitude. Reid State Park is definitely worth the trip!