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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.

Fishing Locations in Massachusetts
Click here to view Massachusetts Tide Charts
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area - Boston, MA
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area

191w Atlantic Avenue Boston, MA, 02109 Phone: 617-223-8666

Islands in Boston Harbor, and easy ferry ride from downtown. Swimming, hiking, picnicking. A fun day trip

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
Fall View - Federated Women's Club State Forest - Petersham, MA - Photo Credit Richard Tamalavitch II
Federated Women's Club State Forest

West Street Petersham, MA, 01355 Phone: 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.
Hampton Ponds State Park - Westfield, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Hampton Ponds State Park

1048 North Road Westfield, MA, 01085 Phone: 413-532-3985

Fishing is done at this popular park with a fresh-water pond.
Waterfront - Lawrence Heritage State Park - Lawrence, MA - Photo Credit A. Santiago
Lawrence Heritage State Park

1 Jackson Street Lawrence, MA, 01840 Phone: 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.
Lake Swimming Area - Douglas State Forest - Douglas, MA - Photo Credit Jezabell Tang
Douglas State Forest

107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA, 01516 Phone: 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)
Wendell State Park - Wendell, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Wendell State Forest

392 Montague Road Wendell, MA, 01379 Phone: 413-659-3797

Ruggles Pond offers 10 acres of fresh water for fishing and swimming. - Trail Map (PDF)
Haviland Pond (also called Chapin Pond)

Center Street Ludlow, MA Phone:

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 Phone: 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.
Beaver Brook Reservation - Waltham, MA
Beaver Brook Reservation

66 Mill Street Waltham, MA, 02478 Phone: 617-727-5290

Small nature preserve offers biking paths, fishing and swimming areas, interpretive programs, and small historic sites. Full toilet facilities are available.
Lakeside Foliage - Hopkinton State Park - Hopkinton, MA - Photo Credit Jinseuk Oh
Hopkinton State Park

164 Cedar Street Hopkinton, MA, 01748 Phone: 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)
Pond at Pittsfield State Forest - Pittsfield, MA
Pittsfield State Forest

1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA, 01201 Phone: 413-442-8992

Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.

Fish from shore for brown bullhead, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and golden shiner. - Trail Map (PDF)
Riverside Cliff - Freetown-Fall River State Forest - Assonet, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Freetown-Fall River State Forest

110 Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA, 02702 Phone: 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)
Wickaboag Pond

Lakeview Avenue West Brookfield, MA Phone:

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.
Lake Wyola State Park

94 Lakeview Road Shutesbury, MA Phone: 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.
Clarksburg State Park - Clarksburg, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Clarksburg State Park

1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA, 01247 Phone: 413-664-8345

Fishing at Mauserts Pond with amenities nearby. - Trail Map (PDF)
Mount Tom State Reservation

125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA, 01040 Phone: 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)
Lake at Rocky Woods - Medfield, MA
Rocky Woods

Hartford Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339

Just 30 minutes from downtown Boston

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)
Cochituate State Park - Natick, MA
Cochituate State Park

43 Commonwealth Road Natick, MA, 01760 Phone: 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
Fishing Kid - D.A.R. State Forest - Goshen, MA
D.A.R. State Forest

78 Cape Street - MA Route 112 Goshen, MA, 01032 Phone: 413-268-7098

Fish off the pier here; cast off from the shore of the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes.
Fishing Spot - Nickerson State Park - Brewster, MA
Nickerson State Park

3488 Main Street - Route 6A Brewster, MA, 02631 Phone: 508-896-3491

Inland park offers lots of camping; fresh water swimming, fishing and paddling; hiking and biking

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)
Bridge Village Heritage Park

70 Elm Street Berkley, MA Phone: 508-999-5231

Quiet place for fishing. The waterfront also is popular with kayakers and canoers.
Foliage View - East Brimfield Lake - East Brimfield, MA
East Brimfield Lake / Holland Pond / Lake Siog / Quinebaug River Recreation Area

Route 20 and East Brimfield Holland Road East Brimfield, MA, 01010 Phone:

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.
Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake) - Sandisfield, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake)

York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA, 01255 Phone: 413-229-8212

York Lake is stocked with trout three times each year.
Weymouth Back River Reservation

Small reservation features historic areas and great fishing spots. Stodder's Neck provides harborside walking trails and a hilltop view of the Back River.
Connecticut River Greenway State Park

136 Damon Road Northampton, MA, 01060 Phone: 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).
Reservoir - Ashland State Park - Ashland, MA
Ashland State Park

162 West Union Street Ashland, MA, 01721 Phone: 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).
Brook - Chester-Blandford State Forest - Blandford, MA - Photo Credit Rasvan Iliescu
Chester-Blandford State Forest

20 Chester Road Chester, MA, 01008 Phone: 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.
Stony Brook Reservation - Hyde Park, MA
Stony Brook Reservation

Turtle Pond Parkway Hyde Park, MA, 02136 Phone: 617-333-7404

Sunfish 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.

Breakheart Reservation & Pearce Lake - Saugus, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Breakheart Reservation – Pearce Lake

177 Forest Street Saugus, MA, 01906 Phone: 781-233-0834

Visitors enjoy fishing at Pearce or Silver lakes in this vast space of hardwood forest and hiking trails. - Trail Map (PDF)
Fishing at Wompatuck State Park - Boston, MA - Photo Credit Mass. State Parks
Wompatuck State Park

204 Union Street Hingham, MA, 02043 Phone: 617-895-8245

Good for camping, fishing, and hiking & walking.

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)
Lake View - Middlesex Fells Reservation - Stoneham, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Middlesex Fells Reservation

4 Woodland Road Stoneham, MA, 02180 Phone: 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)
Lowell Holly Reservation - Mashpee, MA - Photo Credit Trustees of Reservations
Lowell Holly

South Sandwich Road Mashpee, MA, 02649 Phone: 508-636-4693

Two freshwater ponds and stocked with fish. Open: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
River in Mohawk Trail State Forest - Charlemont, MA
Mohawk Trail State Forest

175 Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 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.
Foliage Lake View - Dunn State Park - Gardner, MA
Dunn State Park

289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA, 01440 Phone: 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)
Lake View - Savoy Mountain State Forest - Florida, MA - Photo Credit Bailey Fogle
Savoy Mountain State Forest

260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA, 01247 Phone: 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)
Chesterfield Gorge

River Road Chesterfield, MA, 01012 Phone: 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.
Inlet - Ellisville Harbor State Park - Plymouth, MA - Photo Credit Bob Warner
Ellisville Harbor State Park

1861 State Road - MA Route 3A Plymouth, MA, 02360 Phone: 508-866-2580

Visitors describe the fishing at Ellisville Harbor as "abundant" fish on foot from shore.
Lake View - Brimfield State Forest - Brimfield, MA - Photo Credit Michael Laferriere
Brimfield State Forest

86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA, 01010 Phone: 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)
Hammond Pond Reservation - Chestnut Hill, MA
Hammond Pond Reservation

Hammond Pond Parkway Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467 Phone: 617-333-7404

Visitors to this small nature preserve can enjoy fishing, hiking and biking trails, and picnic areas.
Fishing Kids - Tolland State Forest - East Otis, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Tolland State Forest

410 Tolland Road East Otis, MA, 01029 Phone: 413-269-6002

Trout and bass fishing deep in Otis Reservoir. - Trail Map (PDF)
Fishing - Beartown State Forest - Monterey, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
Beartown State Forest

69 Blue Hill Road Monterey, MA, 01245 Phone: 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)
C.M. Gardner State Park - Huntington, MA - Photo Credit MA State Parks
C.M. Gardner State Park

Route 112 Huntington, MA, 01050 Phone: 413-354-6347

Good for paddling, hiking & walking; fishing; pets allowed except on beach area

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.
Castle Island Pier - Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach, Carson Beach - Boston, MA
Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach & Carson Beach

2010 Day Blvd. South Boston, MA, 02127 Phone: 617-727-5290

Bayside string of parks and beaches easily accessible to Boston; walking, swimming, fishing

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)
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge - Photo Credit Trustees of Reservations
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, East Beach

Dike Road - on Chappaquiddick Island Edgartown, MA, 02539 Phone: 508-627-7689

Surf fishing from magnificent barrier beach on the east side of this island, on a protected coastal reserve. - Trail Map (PDF)
Boardwalk - Scusset Beach State Reservation - Sagamore Beach, MA - Photo Credit David Paquin
Scusset Beach State Reservation

20 Scusset Beach Road Sagamore Beach, MA, 02562 Phone: 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.
Lake View - Otter River State Forest - Baldwinville, MA - Photo Credit Mark Jones
Otter River State Forest

86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA, 01436 Phone: 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.
Salisbury Beach State Reservation - Salisbury, MA - Photo Credit Gary Miles
Salisbury Beach State Reservation

1 Beach Road - Route 1A Salisbury, MA, 01952 Phone: 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.