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.
Our picks
Boston, MA
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
191w Atlantic Avenue, directions to Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area 617-223-8666Islands 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
Charlemont, MA
Mohawk Trail State Forest
175 Mohawk Trail (MA Route 2), directions to Mohawk Trail State Forest 413-339-5504Fish 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.
Chester, MA
Chester-Blandford State Forest
20 Chester Road, directions to Chester-Blandford State Forest 413-354-6347Upon 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, MA
Clarksburg State Park
1199 Middle Road, directions to Clarksburg State Park 413-664-8345Fishing at Mauserts Pond with amenities nearby. - Trail Map (PDF)
Florida, MA
Savoy Mountain State Forest
260 Central Shaft Road, directions to Savoy Mountain State Forest 413-663-8469Fish for rainbow, brook, and brown trout, among other species, from a canoe or from shore at North and South Ponds. - Trail Map (PDF)
Holyoke, MA
Mount Tom State Reservation
125 Reservation Road, directions to Mount Tom State Reservation 413-534-1186Mount 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)
Monterey, MA
Beartown State Forest
69 Blue Hill Road, directions to Beartown State Forest 413-528-0904Fishing 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, MA
Pittsfield State Forest
1041 Cascade Street, directions to Pittsfield State Forest 413-442-8992Good for handicap-accessible recreation, fishing, walking & hiking.
Fish from shore for brown bullhead, yellow perch, pumpkinseed and golden shiner. - Trail Map (PDF)
Sandisfield, MA
Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake)
York Lake Road, directions to Sandisfield State Forest (York Lake) 413-229-8212York Lake is stocked with trout three times each year.
Goshen, MA
D.A.R. State Forest
78 Cape Street - MA Route 112, directions to D.A.R. State Forest 413-268-7098Fish off the pier here; cast off from the shore of the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes.
Huntington, MA
C.M. Gardner State Park
Route 112, directions to C.M. Gardner State Park 413-354-6347Good 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.
Northampton, MA
Connecticut River Greenway State Park
136 Damon Road, directions to Connecticut River Greenway State Park 413-586-8706Fish 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).
East Otis, MA
Tolland State Forest
410 Tolland Road, directions to Tolland State Forest 413-269-6002Trout and bass fishing deep in Otis Reservoir. - Trail Map (PDF)
Westfield, MA
Hampton Ponds State Park
1048 North Road, directions to Hampton Ponds State Park 413-532-3985Fishing is done at this popular park with a fresh-water pond.
Brimfield, MA
Brimfield State Forest
86 Dearth Hill Road, directions to Brimfield State Forest 413-267-9687Fish at Dean Pond, Dearth Hill Pond, or Woodman Pond, as well as any brooks you may come across. - Trail Map (PDF)
Wendell, MA
Wendell State Forest
392 Montague Road, directions to Wendell State Forest 413-659-3797Ruggles Pond offers 10 acres of fresh water for fishing and swimming. - Trail Map (PDF)
Baldwinville, MA
Otter River State Forest
86 Winchendon Road, directions to Otter River State Forest 508-939-8962Otter 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.
Douglas, MA
Douglas State Forest
107 Wallum Lake Road, directions to Douglas State Forest 508-476-7872The 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)
Gardner, MA
Dunn State Park
289 Pearl Street, directions to Dunn State Park 508-632-7897Swimming, 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)
Petersham, MA
Federated Women's Club State Forest
West Street, directions to Federated Women's Club State Forest 978-544-3939This property is southwest of the Quabbin Reservoir and the reservoir's watershed. Fishing is allowed. The park is loved for its bird watching.
Hingham, MA
Wompatuck State Park
204 Union Street, directions to Wompatuck State Park 617-895-8245Good 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)
Assonet, MA
Freetown-Fall River State Forest
110 Slab Bridge Road, directions to Freetown-Fall River State Forest 508-644-5522Fish 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)
Plymouth, MA
Ellisville Harbor State Park
1861 State Road - MA Route 3A, directions to Ellisville Harbor State Park 508-866-2580Visitors describe the fishing at Ellisville Harbor as "abundant" fish on foot from shore.
Hyde Park, MA
Stony Brook Reservation
Turtle Pond Parkway, directions to Stony Brook Reservation 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.
South Boston, MA
Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach & Carson Beach
2010 Day Blvd., directions to Castle Island, Pleasure Bay, M Street Beach & Carson Beach 617-727-5290Bayside 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)
Hingham, MA
Weymouth Back River Reservation
617-727-5293Small reservation features historic areas and great fishing spots. Stodder's Neck provides harborside walking trails and a hilltop view of the Back River.
Medfield, MA
Rocky Woods
Hartford Street, directions to Rocky Woods 508-785-0339Just 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)
Chestnut Hill, MA
Hammond Pond Reservation
Hammond Pond Parkway, directions to Hammond Pond Reservation 617-333-7404Visitors to this small nature preserve can enjoy fishing, hiking and biking trails, and picnic areas.
Lawrence, MA
Lawrence Heritage State Park
1 Jackson Street, directions to Lawrence Heritage State Park 978-794-1655This 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, MA
Salisbury Beach State Reservation
1 Beach Road - Route 1A, directions to Salisbury Beach State Reservation 508-462-4481This 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.
Stoneham, MA
Middlesex Fells Reservation
4 Woodland Road, directions to Middlesex Fells Reservation 617-727-1199Natural 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)
Natick, MA
Cochituate State Park
43 Commonwealth Road, directions to Cochituate State Park 508-653-9641Fishing, 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
Ashland, MA
Ashland State Park
162 West Union Street, directions to Ashland State Park 508-881-4092Fishing 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).
Waltham, MA
Beaver Brook Reservation
66 Mill Street, directions to Beaver Brook Reservation 617-727-5290Small nature preserve offers biking paths, fishing and swimming areas, interpretive programs, and small historic sites. Full toilet facilities are available.
Mashpee, MA
Lowell Holly
South Sandwich Road, directions to Lowell Holly 508-636-4693Two freshwater ponds and stocked with fish. Open: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Brewster, MA
Nickerson State Park
3488 Main Street - Route 6A, directions to Nickerson State Park 508-896-3491Inland 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)
Hopkinton, MA
Hopkinton State Park
164 Cedar Street, directions to Hopkinton State Park 508-435-4303The 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)
Edgartown, MA
Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, East Beach
Dike Road - on Chappaquiddick Island, directions to Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Wasque Reservation, East Beach 508-627-7689Surf fishing from magnificent barrier beach on the east side of this island, on a protected coastal reserve. - Trail Map (PDF)
Berkley, MA
Bridge Village Heritage Park
70 Elm Street, directions to Bridge Village Heritage Park 508-999-5231Quiet place for fishing. The waterfront also is popular with kayakers and canoers.
Sagamore Beach, MA
Scusset Beach State Reservation
20 Scusset Beach Road, directions to Scusset Beach State Reservation 508-888-0859Located 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.
Saugus, MA
Breakheart Reservation – Pearce Lake
177 Forest Street, directions to Breakheart Reservation – Pearce Lake 781-233-0834Visitors enjoy fishing at Pearce or Silver lakes in this vast space of hardwood forest and hiking trails. - Trail Map (PDF)
Ludlow, MA
Haviland Pond (also called Chapin Pond)
Center Street, directions to Haviland Pond (also called Chapin Pond)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.
Orange, MA
Lake Mattawa
Lake Mattawa Road, directions to Lake Mattawa 978-544-2254This 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.
Shutesbury, MA
Lake Wyola State Park
94 Lakeview Road, directions to Lake Wyola State Park 413-367-0317Plentiful fishing for bass and trout at this day-use park with a large, clean lake. See full description of Lake Wyola.
East Brimfield, MA
East Brimfield Lake / Holland Pond / Lake Siog / Quinebaug River Recreation Area
Route 20 and East Brimfield Holland Road, directions to East Brimfield Lake / Holland Pond / Lake Siog / Quinebaug River Recreation AreaWarm 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.
West Brookfield, MA
Wickaboag Pond
Lakeview Avenue, directions to Wickaboag PondFisherman 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, MA
Chesterfield Gorge
River Road, directions to Chesterfield Gorge 413-532-1631Fishing 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.