River, central Maine, U.S. The Penobscot, which flows south into Penobscot Bay, is the state's longest river
about 350 mi (560 km).
It is navigable for 60 mi (97 km) to Bangor. Once an important source of salmon, it has become economically important to the lumber, pulp, and paper industries because of its hydropower facilities. Navigated by French and English voyagers in the early 17th century, it was named for the Penobscot Indians.