Fishing Locations
Massachusetts has many fishing locations, both salt- and fresh-water
Everyone age 15 and older is required to have a license to fish the fresh waters of Massachusetts. All fishing licenses are valid from January 1 to December 31. License costs are $27.50 for residents above age 17 and $11.50 for residents between age 15 and 17.
Non-resident fishing licenses cost $37.50 for a year. Three-day non-resident fishing licenses cost $23.50 for people above age 17 and $11.50 for people between the ages of 15 and 17. Licenses can be purchased online or at most town halls, the local bait shops and at designated retail stores.Anyone younger than 15 years old may fish in fresh waters without a license. More information at the state Department of Fish and Game website.
A license is required for recreational saltwater fishing, and a commercial permit is required if fish are to be sold. Recreational shellfishing is permitted in designated clean areas and regulated by the individual Towns. Contact the local town department of Natural Resources for local regulations. For saltwater fishing information, see the Division of Marine Fisheries website.
47 places to visit
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
Islands in Boston Harbor, and easy ferry ride from downtown. Swimming, hiking, picnicking. A fun day trip
191w Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA 02109 617-223-8666 Only a few decades ago, these waters were unusable; but modern ecological technology has renewed the Harbor's reputation for fishing during the day and at night. The Brewster Islands are especially popular with boaters. Striped bass, bluefish, flounder, skate, haddock, and cod are among your many potential catches! For ferry schedule and ticket information, click the ticket icon below this listing.
Season & Hours: Mid-May to mid-October; see ferry schedule
Season & Hours: Mid-May to mid-October; see ferry schedule
Mohawk Trail State Forest
175 Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) Charlemont, MA 01339 413-339-5504 Fish for trout along over 18 miles of rivers and streams. - Trail Map (PDF)
Season & Hours: Park is open year-round, Sunrise to Sunset. Campsites open from May thru mid-October.
Season & Hours: Park is open year-round, Sunrise to Sunset. Campsites open from May thru mid-October.
Chester-Blandford State Forest
20 Chester Road Chester, MA 01008 413-354-6347 Upon arriving at this park, you'll find wetlands across from the parking area, along Beulah Land Road, but more fish-able spots include: Sanderson Brook, which leads to small waterfalls; a small pond off the Ferguson Road Trails; West Branch Gold Mine Brook; a pond within the easily accessible Boulder Park Trail; and the gorgeous Westfield River.
Clarksburg State Park
1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA 01247 413-664-8345 Fishing at Mauserts Pond with amenities nearby. - Trail Map (PDF)
Savoy Mountain State Forest
260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA 01247 413-663-8469 Fish for rainbow, brook, and brown trout, among other species, from a canoe or from shore at North and South Ponds. - Trail Map (PDF)
Mount Tom State Reservation
125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA 01040 413-534-1186 Mount Tom is a large property that includes the 10-acre Lake Bray for fishing. Boating and fishing also are done at the Oxbow, two miles north of the Route 5 entrance to Mount Tom. - Trail Map (PDF)
Beartown State Forest
69 Blue Hill Road Monterey, MA 01245 413-528-0904 Fishing at Beartown State Forest is plentiful in the warm season. Fish brooks or Benedict Pond, from the shore or in a boat. Fish species include largemouth bass and pickerel. - Trail Map (PDF)
Pittsfield State Forest
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.
1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-442-8992 Fish from shore for brown bullhead, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and golden shiner. - Trail Map (PDF)
Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake)
York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA 01255 413-229-8212 York Lake is stocked with trout three times each year.
D.A.R. State Forest
78 Cape Street - MA Route 112 Goshen, MA 01032 413-268-7098 Fish off the pier here; cast off from the shore of the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes.
C.M. Gardner Park
Good for paddling, hiking & walking; fishing; pets allowed except on beach area
Route 112 Huntington, MA 01050 413-354-6347 Go fish! At C.M. Gardner State Park, launch your canoe and your bait into the scenic Westfield River East, then have a picnic to celebrate the catch.
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
136 Damon Road Northampton, MA 01060 413-586-8706 Fish for various species along the serene and panoramic Connecticut River. Enter with a fishing boat from the Pauchaug, Barton Cove, Sunderland, Oxbow Ramp, South Hadley/Chicopee, and Chicopee Boat Access points (find details below).
Tolland State Forest
410 Tolland Road East Otis, MA 01029 413-269-6002 Trout and bass fishing deep in Otis Reservoir. - Trail Map (PDF)
Hampton Ponds State Park
1048 North Road Westfield, MA 01085 413-532-3985 Fishing is done at this popular park with a fresh-water pond.
Brimfield State Forest
86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA 01010 413-267-9687 Fish at Dean Pond, Dearth Hill Pond, or Woodman Pond, as well as any brooks you may come across. - Trail Map (PDF)
Wendell State Forest
392 Montague Road Wendell, MA 01379 413-659-3797 Ruggles Pond offers 10 acres of fresh water for fishing and swimming. - Trail Map (PDF)
Otter River State Forest
86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA 01436 508-939-8962 Otter River State Forest is a popular destination for outdoor play, summer and winter. Water bodies include Lake Dennison and Beaman Pond. Fishing is allowed.
Season & Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
Season & Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
Douglas State Forest
107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA 01516 508-476-7872 The state forest in Massachusetts encompasses Wallum Lake and offer many water sports, including fishing. There is a boat ramp and parking for boat trailers. Fish species includes trout, largemouth bass, and pickerel. - Trail Map (PDF)
Dunn State Park
289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA 01440 508-632-7897 Swimming, fishing and non-motorized boats are allowed on the pond in this park. All activities in the park, including at least two fishing piers, are wheelchair-accessible. The pond is stocked yearly with trout, bass and other fish and has several fishing piers, including two that are fully wheelchair accessible. - Trail Map (PDF)
Federated Women's Club State Forest
West Street Petersham, MA 01355 978-544-3939 This property is southwest of the Quabbin Reservoir and the reservoir's watershed. Fishing is allowed. The park is loved for its bird watching.
Wompatuck State Park
Good for camping, fishing, and hiking & walking.
204 Union Street Hingham, MA 02043 617-895-8245 Fishing is allowed in the Cohasset Reservoir. There is a boat ramp for car-top vessels only. - Trail Map (PDF) - Recommended Spring '22 Hikes (PDF)
Freetown-Fall River State Forest
110 Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA 02702 508-644-5522 Fish Terry Brook, Doctor's Mill Pond, and other small fishing spots scattered throughout this serene state forest. Fish Rattlesnake Brook for brook trout in spring. - Trail Map (PDF)
Ellisville Harbor State Park
1861 State Road - MA Route 3A Plymouth, MA 02360 508-866-2580 Visitors describe the fishing at Ellisville Harbor as "abundant" fish on foot from shore.
Stony Brook Reservation
Turtle Pond Parkway Hyde Park, MA 02136 617-333-7404Sunfish and Perch await anglers in Turtle Pond at this 475-acre park and wildlife refuge, featuring fishing areas, biking and hiking trails, public swimming, and picnic areas. Programs are scheduled throughout the year.
Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach & Carson Beach
Bayside string of parks and beaches easily accessible to Boston; walking, swimming, fishing
2010 Day Blvd. South Boston, MA 02127 617-727-5290 Castle Island is one of Boston's most popular fishing spots. Fish off the pier and around Pleasure Bay. Search the side of "the bowl," as named by fishermen, across from the shallow beach for a quiet spot to cast away. - Park Mark (PDF)
Weymouth Back River Reservation
Hingham, MA 617-727-5293 Small reservation features historic areas and great fishing spots. Stodder's Neck provides harborside walking trails and a hilltop view of the Back River.
Rocky Woods
Just 30 minutes from downtown Boston
Hartford Street Medfield, MA 02052 508-785-0339 Rocky Woods features over six miles of former woods roads and footpaths rambling through rolling hills of white pine and red oak. Explorers of the four ponds on the reservation may find bullfrogs and painted turtles, and visitors can enjoy catch-and-release fishing from these shores. Recent landscape renovations have created a scenic meadow, grassy common areas, sandy shorelines, and plantings of ornamental shrubs. Restrooms, picnic tables and a pavilion are onsite, and future plans include creating a visitor center and improved children's play area. - Trail Map (PDF) - Campsite Map (PDF)
Hammond Pond Reservation
Hammond Pond Parkway Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-333-7404 Visitors to this small nature preserve can enjoy fishing, hiking and biking trails, and picnic areas.
Lawrence Heritage State Park
1 Jackson Street Lawrence, MA 01840 978-794-1655 This is the place to learn about this city’s industrial and immigrant history in the mills and boarding houses where generations of immigrants toiled. The site's neighboring Pemberton Park, off Canal Street near the Central Bridge, is popular for fishing.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation
1 Beach Road - Route 1A Salisbury, MA 01952 508-462-4481 This gorgeous ocean beach and reservation welcomes fishermen among other waterfront activities like swimming, boating, and paddling. The south end of the trailer campground has two boat ramps on the Merrimack River.
Middlesex Fells Reservation
4 Woodland Road Stoneham, MA 02180 617-727-1199 Natural refuge set on over 2,000 acres. Visitors here can enjoy biking, hiking and cross-country ski trails. Canoeing, fishing, and swimming areas are offered, as well as a visitor's center with historic information. - Trail Map (PDF)
Cochituate State Park
43 Commonwealth Road Natick, MA 01760 508-653-9641 Fishing, along with boating and other water sports like padding and windsurfing, is done on the large park not far from metropolitan Boston.
Hours (Summer): 8am - 8pm, bathrooms locked at 7pm.
Parking Fees (May-October): $8 for MA Residents; $30 for Out-of-State Resident
Hours (Summer): 8am - 8pm, bathrooms locked at 7pm.
Parking Fees (May-October): $8 for MA Residents; $30 for Out-of-State Resident
Ashland State Park
162 West Union Street Ashland, MA 01721 508-881-4092 Fishing is done on the large reservoir at this park. A boat ramp is available. Motorized and non-motorized boats are permitted.
Parking: Available mid-May to Labor Day, $8 daily for MA vehicles and $30 daily for out-of-state vehicles. - Trail Map (PDF).
Parking: Available mid-May to Labor Day, $8 daily for MA vehicles and $30 daily for out-of-state vehicles. - Trail Map (PDF).
Beaver Brook Reservation
66 Mill Street Waltham, MA 02478 617-727-5290 Small nature preserve offers biking paths, fishing and swimming areas, interpretive programs, and small historic sites. Full toilet facilities are available.
Lowell Holly
South Sandwich Road Mashpee, MA 02649 508-636-4693 Two freshwater ponds and stocked with fish. Open: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Nickerson State Park
Inland park offers lots of camping; fresh water swimming, fishing and paddling; hiking and biking
3488 Main Street - Route 6A Brewster, MA 02631 508-896-3491 This park is in the pine woods of inland Cape Cod, but an easy walk or bike ride to Cape Cod Bay. Swimming and fishing are done at eight fresh-water kettle ponds. Ponds are stocked year-round with trout (catch-and-release). - Trail Map (PDF)
Hopkinton State Park
164 Cedar Street Hopkinton, MA 01748 508-435-4303 The Hopkinton Reservoir is open to non-motor boats and stocked with fish. A concrete boat ramp is open to the public. Many water sports take place here. Seasonal boat rentals are available. - Trail Map (PDF)
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, East Beach
Dike Road - on Chappaquiddick Island Edgartown, MA 02539 508-627-7689 Surf fishing from magnificent barrier beach on the east side of this island, on a protected coastal reserve. - Trail Map (PDF)
Bridge Village Heritage Park
70 Elm Street Berkley, MA 508-999-5231 Quiet place for fishing. The waterfront also is popular with kayakers and canoers.
Scusset Beach State Reservation
20 Scusset Beach Road Sagamore Beach, MA 02562 508-888-0859 Located at the east end of the Cape Cod Canal, this park is great for salt water fishermen. There is fish pier, a breakwater, and two miles of frontage along the canal. Also a picnic area. Visitors love watching the boat traffic in and out of the canal.
Breakheart Reservation – Pearce Lake
177 Forest Street Saugus, MA 01906 781-233-0834 Visitors enjoy fishing at Pearce or Silver lakes in this vast space of hardwood forest and hiking trails. - Trail Map (PDF)
Haviland Pond (also called Chapin Pond)
Center Street Ludlow, MA This is a 25-acre warm water pond located just northeast of the Massachusetts Pike and Route 21 intersection. A paved public launch ramp suitable for trailer launching is located just to the right of the public beach. Access is off North Street. Motor boats are prohibited and shoreline access is limited. There is no vehicle/trailer parking on the ramp, although there is parking available in the town beach parking lot across the street.
The fish population was last sampled in 1980 summer survey. The species found were largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, killifish and white perch. Trout are stocked annually to create a put
and take urban fishery.
Lake Mattawa
Lake Mattawa Road Orange, MA 978-544-2254 This clear lake is said to be a source of "trophy" trout for fishermen. The state stocks that lake with trout every spring. Many other species also are found here. Boat ramp available for motor boats of less thatn 10 hp. See full description of Lake Mattawa.
Lake Wyola State Park
94 Lakeview Road Shutesbury, MA 413-367-0317 Plentiful fishing for bass and trout at this day-use park with a large, clean lake.
See full description of Lake Wyola.
East Brimfield Lake / Holland Pond / Lake Siog / Quinebaug River Recreation Area
Route 20 and East Brimfield Holland Road East Brimfield, MA 01010 Warm season and ice fishing are done at this large recreation area that includes a lake, a river, and several ponds. Lake is stocked with trout in spring.
Wickaboag Pond
Lakeview Avenue West Brookfield, MA Fisherman access: Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp system or gravel ramp designed for smaller boats and parking for boat trailers. Fish species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, pickerel, black crappie. Managed by the Town of West Brookfield.
Chesterfield Gorge
River Road Chesterfield, MA 01012 413-532-1631 Fishing is permitted at this beautiful natural gorge on the Westfield River (designated a national wild and scenic river), but fishing is limited to catch-and-release fishing with artificial lures only. See a full description on our Walking & Hiking page, with information on other activities at this natural wonder.