Photo by Ron Sinfelt

By Al Raychard Family fishing vacations have been a part of the New England lifestyle for more than 100 years. Taking advantage of America's passion for the outdoor life, many fishing camps and lodges were established across northern Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont since the Civil War, offering anglers and their families a chance to get away following the greatest period of death and destruction in the nation's history.

Today, many of the sporting camps opened during the 1800s are still operating. They have changed with the times, and while angling remains the primary attraction, most of these operations offer additional recreational opportunities for today's more active and variety-minded clientele. Some offer fly-fishing schools, hiking trails and other outdoor pursuits for Mom and the kids while Dad wets a line.

But, some things never change. At the end of the day, the whole family can gather and sit on the front porch, listen to the loons and ponder the simplicity of it all.

Today, whether it is a remote backwoods camp, a state park, national forest, private campground or other destination designed for outdoor recreation, variety seems to be the current trend.

The modern outdoor family is looking for more diversions to occupy their time and satisfy their outdoor interests, and fishing remains a popular attraction. For this reason, angling is only part of the package being offered by family-oriented outfitters these days. The following is a look at some of the best family fishing vacations available to New Englanders in 2004:

The big attraction at Baxter, in addition to its scenic beauty and abundant wildlife, is its hiking and fishing. There are 46 mountain peaks within the park, 18 of which exceed 3,000 feet in elevation, including Baxter Peak atop Mt. Katahdin. At 5,267 feet, it is the highest summit in Maine.

Access to the top of most of these heights and the surrounding wilderness is provided by approximately 140 miles of trails including the northernmost section of the Appalachian Trail leading to the summit of Baxter Peak.

Baxter State Park has long been known as a hiker's paradise. Its many trails lead to quiet ponds, scenic vistas and natural wonders on the way to the top of some of the highest mountains in Maine. The degree of difficulty varies, but there are hikes for people of all ages and levels of expertise, from just a couple of miles to a jaunt of more than 20 miles.

For the fisherman, Baxter State Park is home to some of the finest native brook trout fishing in the Northeast. There are remote ponds off the beaten path, some restricted to fly-fishing only, while others are open to lure-fishing.

There are some large lakes and two excellent trout streams, Nesowadnehunk Stream along the western boundary for the flyfisherman and Trout Brook in the north, which is open to angling with lures and worms as well as flies.

Just outside the park's southern boundary, the West Branch Penobscot River offers excellent angling for landlocked salmon. The river below Seboomook Dam is nationally known for its whitewater rafting, in case the family is interested in a wild ride.

Baxter State Park is open from May 15 through Oct. 15 for general use. Reservations are recommended. A list of rules and regulations as well as trail maps can be ordered by contacting the Baxter State Park Authority, 64 Balsam Drive, Millinocket, ME 04462, or call (207) 723-5140. Also, visit the BSPA's Web site at www.baxterstateparkauthority.com.

Reservations are also recommended for rafting trips on the West Branch. They can be made with any of the several guide services on the Web at www.maineguides.com. Click on "Whitewater Rafting" under the "Water Guides" tab.

For a list of camps and services, contact the Maine Sporting Camp Association, P.O. Box 119, Millinocket, ME 04462; call (207) 723-6622, or visit the MSCA Web site at www.mainesportingcamps. com.

There is much more to this popular destination. Scattered throughout the park are more than 45 miles of rock-surfaced carriage roads for vacationers who enjoy bike riding. Many of those old roads provide access to the heart of the park. There are also 120 miles of hiking trails, including one leading to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, where the sun first shines on America each day.

There is a scenic 27-mile auto drive along the rugged coast leading to Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs and other scenic wonders. For the bird lover, Acadia is home to more than 270 species of birds. There are organized nature excursions for adults, guided children explorations courtesy of the park service and also carriage tours from a local stable; and at Bar Harbor, there are several museums to visit, plus a nature center.

Camping is provided at two official park campgrounds, as well as at a dozen other private campgrounds scattered about the island. It should be noted Acadia National Park draws more than three million visitors annually, with July, August and September being the busiest months. Advance reservations for camping and certain other activities are highly recommended.

Access to the island and park are easy from Bangor using Route 1A or U.S. Route 1 along the coast.

For more information, contact the Acadia National Park office, PO. Box 177, Eagle Lake Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04069-0177; call (207) 288-3338, or visit the park's Web site at www.nps.gov/acad/index.htm.