Wood River

Falls River is one of the headwater streams, along with the Flat River, that meet to form the Wood River just north of Route 165 in the town of Exeter in the Arcadia Management Area.  From the bridge at Brook Trail to the bridge at Austin Farm Rd is Catch and Release fishing only with single barbless hooks and artificial lures only.  The stream is managed for the wild brook trout with no stocking.  The lower Catch and Release area has several accesses along Brook Trail, while the upper section requires some hiking.   Above the bridge on Austin Farm Rd (Plain Rd on some maps) up to Stepstone Falls and beyond is open under general fishing regulations and is stocked in the spring.  There is a popular hiking trail here to Stepstone Falls that provides some access to the stream.  In addition, the Falls River is part of The Wood-Pawtucket Wild and Scenic Rivers designation and T.U.’s priority waters program.  A number of habitat restoration projects have been completed here with the “Trees For Trout” program that has improved the habitat for the wild brook trout.  The Falls River is a small stream with tight casting conditions so smaller rods are a better choice here.