Paddling NB

Description

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

We started our adventure by leaving a vehicle at the Oromocto West boat launch. We then went back past the highway in Oromocto and drove around to Rusagonis Road to find the boat launch (see directions below). At the boat launch we unloaded the boats and put on sunscreen. It was going to be a beautiful day. We turned right and started our paddle down Rusagonis Stream. Rusagonis Stream below Rusagonis Road is more of a small river. It is deep like the Oromocto River because of the impact of the tides. It also has very little current.

We continued downstream until we reached Bear Creek. The birds were singing all around us in the beautiful hardwood stands that line the stream. We decided to turn right into Bear Creek and see if we could make it in to the large beaver dam a the end. As we turned into Bear Creek we passes a Great blue heron hunting in the shallows. We paddled through the grasses and the lily pads.

Near the beaver dam there was only a small channel in the grass. Enough to get through with the kayaks but not big enough to turn. We heard something jump and run in the woods near us. We assumed it was a deer. We made it to the beaver dam and I was able to get out and stand on top of the dam. The pond on the upper side was much lower than I had expected. It had been an extermely dry summer. I watched an osprey on a tree across the pond and he looked like he was also amazed at how shallow the pond was.

We returned to Rusagonis Stream and continued downstream. The stream meandered through wetlands and then straightened out into a long straight stretch. We passed by a beaver who got pretty close before he decided to slide under the water. He didn't slap his tail so I am guessing he is used to seeing people. We weren't sure if the channel over to Waasis Pond was deep enough so we continued in Rusagonis Stream until we reached Oromocto River. At Oromocto River we turned left. When we reached the outlet to Waasis Pond we decided it was a good place to stop and have lunch.

When we were done lunch we went into Waasis Pond to explore a bit. We watched several ducks swim amongst the grasses at the edge of the pond. More flew in and landed in the pond then quickly disappeared into the grass. It looked like we would have been able to easily access the pond from Rusagonis Stream. We returned to Oromoocto River and now the current was pulling us out into the river. The tide must be going out.

A short distance downriver we turned into Kinney Creek to explore McKeevers Meadow. The shallow meadow was a large, grassy pond. We watched a couple of loons diving and an osprey fly overhead before returning to the river. We were now in the home stretch. After a few more turns in the river we could see the old abutments that marked the location of the Oromocto West boat launch. We took a close look at the abutments before going to shore and loading our boats.

The Rusagonis and Oromocto watershed is such a unique place to explore with endless options. It is always full of wildlife. As I drove home I thought about which part of the watershed I wanted to explore on my next visit.

Directions

To access the Oromocto West boat launch from the Fredericton direction, take exit 301 on route 2 in Oromocto. Then turn right onto Black Watch Road until you get to the stop sign on Waasis Road. If you are coming from the Moncton or Saint John direction, take exit 303, turn left to cross the highway and then turn right onto Black Watch Avenue. Drive for 1.9 kilometres until you reach the stop sign on Waasis Road.

Turn left (away from Oromocto) onto Waasis Road. Drive for 1.2 kilometres and look for a gravel road on the right next to a small fenced in area. Turn onto the gravel road and follow it until you reach the boat launch at the river.

To get to the Rusagonis Road boat launch, take exit 297 from route 2 between Fredericton and Oromocto. Turn towards the Irving Blue Canoe Restaurant on Waasis Road and continue past the gas stations. Drive for 2.5 kilometres and turn right towards Rusagonis at the stop sign. Drive for just over a kilometre and turn left onto Rusagonis Road. Drive for 3 kilometres and you will cross a bridge over Rusagonis Stream. After the bridge turn left into a parking lot. The road down to the left accesses the boat launch.

Other Routes nearby

• Rusagonis Stream
• Oromocto River - Prides Landing to Morrow Bridge
• Thatch Island Loop
• Fredericton Routes
• Fulton Island Loop

Route Last Paddled: July 23, 2025.

Page Last Updated: Feruary 15, 2026.