The Androscoggin River is a major waterway that flows through northern New Hampshire and western Maine, spanning approximately 178 miles from its origin at Errol, New Hampshire, where it forms at the confluence of the Magalloway River and the outlet from Umbagog Lake. The river continues through the White Mountains region before turning east into Maine, eventually emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The Androscoggin underwent a significant transformation following the 2006 closure of the Fraser paper mill in Berlin, NH, which had been a source of pollution for decades. Since then, water quality has improved dramatically, making it one of New England's premier fishing destinations. The river varies greatly in character, from fast-flowing sections with rapids to slower, deeper pools and impoundments, providing diverse fishing opportunities for both coldwater and warmwater species throughout its course.