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.
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
Route 112 Huntington, MA, 01050 Phone: 413-354-6347
Good for paddling, hiking & walking; fishing; pets allowed except on beach area
Dike Road - on Chappaquiddick Island Edgartown, MA, 02539 Phone: 508-627-7689
78 Cape Street - MA Route 112 Goshen, MA, 01032 Phone: 413-268-7098
69 Bluehill Road Monterey, MA, 01245 Phone: 413-528-0904
Good for non-motorized boating, walking & hiking, camping, snowmobiling; fishing; leashed pets allowed
2010 Day Blvd. South Boston, MA, 02127 Phone: 617-727-5290
Bayside string of parks and beaches easily accessible to Boston; walking, swimming, fishing
Woodland Road Winchester, MA Phone: 781-322-2851 or
1 Beach Road - Route 1A Salisbury, MA, 01952 Phone: 508-462-4481
Lake Mattawa Road Orange, MA Phone: 978-544-2254
94 Lakeview Road Shutesbury, MA Phone: 413-367-0317
289 Pearl Street Gardner, MA Phone: 508-632-7897
Water sports on pond; walking trails; Nordic skiing and ice skating. Fully wheelchair accessible
Slab Bridge Road Assonet, MA Phone: 508 644-5522
Good for walking & hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, equestrian, fishing, and restricted hunting.
Hartford Street Medfield, MA, 02052 Phone: 508-785-0339
Just 30 minutes from downtown Boston
1041 Cascade Street Pittsfield, MA, 01201 Phone: 413-442-8992
Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.
175 Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2) Charlemont, MA, 01339 Phone: 413-339-5504
Center Street Ludlow, MA Phone:
Valentine Road Pittsfield, MA Phone: 413-499-9344
Park on fresh water lake; fishing, boat ramp; life guards
164 Cedar Street Hopkinton, MA, 01748 Phone: 508-435-4303
107 Wallum Lake Road Douglas, MA Phone: 508-476-7872
Popular state forest on lake with many activities: water sports; horseback riding; hiking trails
86 Dearth Hill Road Brimfield, MA Phone: 413-267-9687
Good for hiking & walking, picnicking, horseback riding; fishing
204 Union Street Hingham, MA, 02043 Phone: 617-895-8245
Good for camping, fishing, and hiking & walking.
66 Mill Street Waltham, MA, 02478 Phone: 617-727-5290
86 Winchendon Road Baldwinville, MA Phone: 508-939-8962
Camping, water sports, hiking
Route 3A Plymouth, MA Phone: 508-866-2580
Good for scenic landscapes and coastal views; hiking & walking, and fishing.
1 Jackson Street Lawrence, MA, 01840 Phone: 978-794-1655
7 Industrial Park Road West Sturbridge, MA Phone: 508-347-9316
Swimming, fishing, & picnicking next to reservoir. Boat ramps. Wheelchair access
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
392 Montague Road Wendell, MA Phone: 413-659-3797
Good for boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnics, and swimming.
43 Commonwealth Road Natick, MA, 01760 Phone: 508-653-9641
Hammond Pond Parkway Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467 Phone: 617-333-7404
20 Scusset Beach Road Sagamore, MA Phone: 508-888-0859
Best for trailer camping; salt water fishing; bicycling along Cape Cod Canal
Route 20 and East Brimfield Holland Road East Brimfield, MA Phone:
River Road Chesterfield, MA, 01012 Phone: 413-532-1631
West Street Petersham, MA Phone: 978-544-3939
Good for fishing, walking, and nature viewing. No pets allowed.
Lakeview Avenue West Brookfield, MA Phone:
South Sandwich Road Mashpee & Sandwich, MA, 02563 Phone: 508-636-4693
Extensive walking trails among holly and rhododendron gardens; two ponds stocked with fish
York Lake Road Sandisfield, MA, 01255 Phone: 413-229-8212
260 Central Shaft Road Florida, MA Phone: 413-663-8469
Handicap-accessible hiking and camping; water sports, picnicking, hiking, camping, paddling, pets allowed
136 Damon Road Northampton, MA, 01060 Phone: 413-586-8706
125 Reservation Road Holyoke, MA, 01040 Phone: 413-534-1186
162 West Union Street Ashland, MA, 01721 Phone: 508-881-4092
1199 Middle Road Clarksburg, MA, 01247 Phone: 413-664-8345
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.
70 Elm Street Berkley, MA Phone: 508-999-5231
1048 North Road Westfield, MA, 01085 Phone: 413-532-3985
410 Tolland Road East Otis, MA Phone: 413-269-6002
Good for many recreational activities including boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, and picnics.
Route 20 Chester, MA Phone: 413-354-6347
Good for walking & hiking, horseback riding, hunting (restrictions), mountain biking, fishing
177 Forest Street Saugus, MA Phone: 781-233-0834
Large forest with 2 freshwater lakes; swimming; fishing; walking trails; extensive views
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