Quinnipiac River and Marsh, North Haven

Meet at 9:30 a.m. to launch by 9:50 a.m. from the Quinnipiac River Wildlife Management Area boat launch, 379 Sackett Point Rd., North Haven, to make best use of the 10:48 a.m. low tide. The launch is accessed by a BUMPY dirt road with NO sign at Sackett Point Rd. Drive SLOWLY down this sorry excuse for a road, no more than 5 mph, otherwise you risk launching your boat from your roof!
This is a moderate-paced 9-mile paddle exploring narrow channels in the tidal marsh, returning along the winding curves of the Quinnipiac River. Lunch may be back at the launch or another place along the river. There is an easy option to shorten the trip to 4 miles by exiting as we pass the launch. For those who do the full trip, we will paddle as far north as the Route 5 bridge. The Audubon Society has designed the tidal portion of the river as an Important Bird Area due to its high concentration of migratory birds. Enjoy views of East Rock and the Sleeping Giant. There is no porta-potty at the launch, so plan accordingly.
Paddlers must provide their own kayak/canoe and other equipment, and should bring lunch, water and snacks. Per group policy, a life jacket must be worn for the trip duration. Rain cancels. Any weather-related changes will be published via email by 7 a.m. the morning of the trip: don’t let advance forecasts scare you away — they are frequently wrong.
Quinnipiac River canoe guide: http://www.qrwa.org/images/customer-files/CanoeNRGuide.pdf
Long Island Sound study: https://longislandsoundstudy.net/2012/10/quinnipiac-river/
GPS overview: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44137387 and
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/15981710872
Directions:
I-91 North, Exit 9: Left on Montowese Ave., then right on Universal Drive North for 1.3 miles. Left on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Left on the dirt road between the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property and the multi-styled fences for the Frankson Fence Company. The launch is a short distance from the road.
I-95 South, Exit 10 to Route 40 North to Exit 1. Right off the ramp, then the next right on Route 5 South for 0.8 miles. Left on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on the dirt road, just past Frankson Fence Company and before the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property. The launch is a short distance from the road.
Route 15 North, Exit 50: Left on Dixwell Ave. for 0.9 miles. Right on Skiff St. for 1.6 miles. Left on State St. for 0.3 miles. Right on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on the dirt road, just past Frankson Fence Company and before the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property. The launch is a short distance from the road.
Route 15 South, Exit 53: Left on Hartford Tpke. for 1.5 miles. Left on School St., Next right on State St. for 0.3 miles. Left on Sackett Point Rd. for 0.4 miles. Right on the dirt road, just past Frankson Fence Company and before the metal structure at the end of the Tilcon property. The launch is a short distance from the road.