Paddling the Hoosic River from Eagle Bridge to the Johnsonville Dam

For a leisurely scenic 8.5 mile paddle on the Hoosic River, put in at the Rensselaer Land Trust public boat launch and fishing access site and paddle downstream to the Johnsonville Dam.  Drop a car or bicycle off at the take out spot if you do not want to paddle back.  The public fishing and boat launch site is located ½ mile west of Eagle Bridge or 1 ½ miles east of Buskirk on RT 67 in northern Rensselaer County.  There the Hoosic River is the county border between Washington and Rensselaer County.  The site has a boat slide for car top boats and parking for 8-10 cars.  It is not possible to launch a boat from a trailer at the site. In spring when the water is still cold, trout can be fished from the site.  Later on in the season as the water warms, bass can be caught.

The Hoosic River has a mild current at the put in site and you can paddle in both directions however, the current becomes strong heading upstream to Eagle Bridge.  Heading downstream, the river meanders around some bends where we saw northern flickers, swallows, ducks, geese, and other birds that we was unable to identify.  If you enjoy bird watching, bring binoculars.  At approximately 2.5 miles you will reach the Buskirk covered bridge.  The covered bridge was constructed in 1857 and is the last surviving covered bridge in Rensselaer County.  After the bridge, the water become flat and slows with forested banks and a few farms and houses.  The next 5.5 miles is very calm and at the end resembles a long flat shallow lake.  You will see several bays worth exploring for wild life along the way.

The take out spot is just before the Johnsonville Dam on the left bank.  It is a canoe launch and fishing access site constructed by the Erie Boulevard Hydropower L.P.  To get to it, turn towards the river onto RT 111 in Johnsonville and take a right onto River Street by the Fire Station.  You will see the canoe launch and public parking spot shortly on your left.

        RLT Board Member Francille Egbert

Hoosic River between Eagle Bridge and Buskirk

Buskirk Covered Bridge