Massachusetts Fishing Report – March 2025

Massachusetts Fishing Report

Update: 3/27

Our fishy fortunes moving forward should increasingly be enhanced with a dash of salt. Of course for the folks who are taking advantage of freshly stocked trout there is no rush.
 

Massachusetts South Shore Through Greater Boston Fishing Report

Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said that anglers who are trying to reacquaint themselves with the salt have been looking in the water and to the sky for a hint of what’s to come. Alewives are drawing their interest among rivers while their winged pursuers – ospreys – are often a signal that the first wave of the herring runs are on. Personally I’ve already seen shots of healthy holdover stripers which is a sure indication that they have been energized by recent snacks from the sea. With ongoing stocking taking place throughout the Bay State most of the shop’s business has been dedicated to targeting trout. From the Cape throughout the South Shore recently stocked brown trout and brook trout have now joined the rainbows which have been in for over a week. Little Cleos, Kastmasters. Thomas Cyclones and Bouyants have been moving out at a brisk pace. The large shiners which Pete has been selling have been intended for larger quarry such as the big bass which swim throughout numerous Plymouth Ponds as well as the plethora of bog ponds which dot the area. The Scituate Reservoir and Cohasset Reservoir are two water bodies not to be ignored. Some anglers have been jumping aboard headboats such as the Eastman Fleet with redfish the primary target until next month.

Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy said that angling effort has primarily been focused on trout with locations spilt between local ponds such as Houghton’s, Jamaica and Hobart and the smattering of water bodies from Plymouth through the Cape. Houghton’s also holds some very large bass. Meanwhile the shop is beginning to move sabiki rigs for those looking for sea herring, mackerel, whiting or whatever critter could be stirring off Nut Island Pier and Pemberton Pier. A regular of the shop did head out on shake-off-the-rust recon run in the harbor and was impressed with the marks he was observing on his sonar by the Long Island Bridge. Unfortunately he didn’t have a single rod on board the boat. Those fish could very likely be cod which historically cruse into the harbor through Nantucket Roads. While those fish cannot be kept, they do make for good catch-and-release sport.

Boston Metrowest Through Central Machusetts Fishing Report

Rod from Arlington Bait & Tackle had no news of northerns or tigers from Spy Pond when we spoke but those fish should be post-spawn ravenous now. As for matching the preferred forage, go big with your offering since the ingress of river herring at Spy has been a reality as upstream progress throughout the Mystic River watershed is ongoing. River herring are also present in Horn Pond which is resulting in bigger bass, crappie, pickerel and holdover trout. Recently stocked rainbows are attracting a lot of attention with blown-up trout worms as well as marshmallow/worm combos every bit as popular this season as Power Bait. Anglers floating shiners or slowly working jerk baits where shallow, warmer tributaries mix into the Charles and Mystic Rivers are finding cooperative largemouth. Nuno from Lunkers in Ashland said that he does’t have to look at any on-line reports to know that trout have been stocked: he can tell by the volume of trout goodies which are moving out of the shop! Reports are coming in of solid action from Ashland Reservoir, Hopkinton Reservoir and Lake Cochituate. For bass the local picks are Dudley Pond, Winthrop Lake and Farm Ponds.

Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Milford said that some corker broodstock brown trout have been stocked out west especially in the Chicopee area. . A few monsters – up to 11 pounds – have been weighed into the shop for state pins. Other areas which are buzz worthy for trout are Pratt Pond, Quacumquasit and Comet. Evidently the word is out that Jerry’s has a stash of Julie’s Gut-a-Bite strike indicators and according to Rick he’s moving quite a few. Since they are out of production when the shop’s inventory is depleted that will be it. A word for the wise is to capitalize on this unique tackle while they are still available. Ordinarily now I hear of some impressive Larry catches from shop regular Dan Southwick but unfortunately Dan’s between rides and not very happy about it. His advice for all is to take advantage of the next month as big breeders commit themselves to packing on weight in preparation for the spawn. Swimbaits rule almost anytime of the year but especially now when PBs are often but a cast away.

Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston told me that a few scofflaws were caught fishing in the clearly marked no trespassing/construction zone of the Quinapoxet River. This place is under surveillance and the anglers were identified and caught! Apparently a meeting took place between authorities and the trespassers and it did not go well for them. Come on guys, play fair and keep it legal – it’s a privilege not a right to fish the commonwealth’s primary water supply. Apparently the water level is extremely high and unless things change high-profile places will be tough to access at first. Personally I’m good with that as it levels the playing field, making securing sought-after spots a game of chance. Meanwhile anglers yearning for some connection with the Chu, before opening day on April 5th, are warming up with rainbows in the Stillwater River.

Massachusetts North Shore Fishing Report

Tomo from Tomo’s Tackle in Salem said that anglers are taking advantage of the saltwater preseason by stocking up with gear at the shop which may be in short supply come May. He has been moving slow-pitched jigs, Gulp, bait rigs and a few rod/reel combos for anglers who have already been out on Eastman’s Fleet out of Seabrook New Hampshire. The current quarry is redfish by the tote-load with a few cusk thrown in as well. As of April 1st, haddock will be on the agenda with hake and pollock part of the catch. Look for other outfitters to be running trips by then as well.
The shop does carry trout spoons such as Kastmasters for freshly stocked trout in Sluice Pond, Pleasant Pond and Forest Lake.

Kevin from Surfland Bait and Tackle in Newburyport told me that some anglers are pursuing salter white perch in the Parker River as well as the Exeter River which feeds into Great Bay in New Hampshire. Should you traipse the Plum Island shoreline keep your eyes peeled for breaching whales which at this time of the year will push sea herring inshore.

Shawn from Merrimac Sports said that the shop will soon be carrying seaworms to meet the demand from white perch fishers.
The Exeter/Squamscott River runs should be growing in intensity right about now. The shop is also carrying “heavy” shiners for pike and big Larry enthusiasts. One angler already put those to good use at the Artichoke Reservoir where he caught a 9 pound hawg! At the Merrimack River you’re as likely to catch a slab smallie as you are a big largemouth or a solid pike – and all will fall for a big shiner.

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Massachusetts

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

With the hatchery folks working overtime, unloading their mixed brood throughout the Bay State, trout will remain tops for the upcoming weeks. Of course those catching a solid largemouth in the Scituate Reservoir, Houghton Pond or the Artichoke Reservoir might differ. Rivers, from the Connecticut through the Charles the Mystic or the Merrimack, are increasingly waking up for both fishing and herring watching. North of the border, the Exeter River is home to one of the more prolific white perch runs in New England and will peak just as apple trees are on the bloom. An additional option in new Hampshire is to hop aboard Eastman’s Fleet in Seabrook where from all accounts the fishing is – red (fish!) hot!

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Massachusetts Fishing Report – March 13, 2025

When the right size plank – to bridge open water – is more of a priority than the right size bait, it’s probably wise to call it for the ice fishing season. Salvation however is at hand thanks to our friends from Masswildlife who are busily stocking trout!

Find A Stocked Pond Near You At The Massachusetts Trout Stocking Report Page

Massachusetts South Shore Through Greater Boston Fishing Report

For those who call the South Shore home the recent ice fishing season was an unexpected and much appreciated blast from the past. According to Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate, the traps and augers have now been stowed and the casting has begun. An unsung hardwater hero that is getting another look now is pickerel. While the small specimens are often derided as slime darts, the big ones fight like the dickens and are a whole lot of fun! Right now the biggest of the bunch – the breeders – are in tight to shore and aggressive. Many a personal best toothy has been caught at this time of the year. The same can be said for yellow perch which are portly and still sporting their gaudy coloration they acquire during the winter months. In addition to shiners, Rooster Tail and Mepps spinners worked slowly will catch both species. The good old rubber worm snaked near brush will also interest pickerel.

Pete’s picks for those species are Jacobs Pond, Tack Factory Pond, Cohasset Reservoir and Lilly Pond. For volume, diversity of species and trophy potential the dizzying number of ponds which dot Plymouth are not to be ignored. Of course it is March which means that the hatchery folks are busily stocking trout from the South Shore through the Cape with the first batch consisting of rainbows. The few I’ve heard from who have caught claim that the fish are of good size this year. As for saltwater options, there are holdover stripers in the North River, salter white perch in the Taunton and Assonet Rivers and soon there will be shad cruising upstream of the North River.

Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy reflected on this past fall smelt season and there’s reasons to be hopeful for the future. For the first time in years there was a demand for grass shrimp, which prompted Lisa to don the waders and shlep through Quincy area estuaries looking for the smelt candy. The action was good among a number of locations such as Pemberton Pier, the Hull Public Pier, Hewitts Cove and from the Summer Street Bridge. The fish will be spawning very soon and with water levels high there should be plenty of habitat to pull off a good spawn. The deconstruction of dams along the Fore River may make that area a significant contributor to local smelt populations. Lastly, the Downeast Maine smelt camps had a more productive year than in years which makes one wonder if some positive environmental factors or just cyclical reasons are at play.

As for what’s catching now, holdover trout in Jamaica Pond and Houghton Pond are keeping casters content until fresh recruits are stocked locally. Anglers floating shiners in Whitman Pond, Sunset Lake and the Charles River are reporting cooperative bass, pickerel and panfish. The wait is underway for the first signs of alewives which will be the trigger for some of the larger holdover stripers to feed with earnest in local rivers.

Boston Metrowest Through the Merrimack Valley Region Fishing Report

According to Eric from Lunkers in Ashland anglers are “pocket fishing”. With junk ice still prevalent, fishers are looking for openings from which to cast. Some have found relief in Ashland Reservoir, Hopkinton Reservoir as well as Lake Cochituate. The nod goes to the northern section of Cochituate where anglers have had some luck with good Larrys. Other open water options to consider are the Twin Coves of the Charles River as well as the Sudbury River. Farther downstream of the Charles, in the grit of the big city, you’re likely to find everything from crappie to carp to white catfish as well as holdover stripers.

Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle had an apt anecdote about how quickly ice conditions can change in mid-March. Recently he was out on 8” of ice on a Metrowest water body and the next day – a friend was fishing it from open water! Anglers are fast taking advantage of open water by catching pike from Flint Lake, Lake Quinsigamond and the Oxbow. Some of the shop’s regulars are already salivating about opening day at Wachusett Reservoir, which should go off without a hitch on April 5th. Regarding the “Rezy” if you’re new to this cold water species gem I’m sure you’ve noticed the Julie’s Gut-a-Bite strike indicators fastened to angler’s rods who fish bait. While those things have been out of production for sometime, Jerry stockpiled them years ago and still has them in the shop! In fact, Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Milford is the only one I know of who still has any.

As for how Wachusett Reservoir is faring I asked Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston to weigh in. He said that the reservoir is losing ice fast and what’s left is looking ashen as if it’s ready to go. With significant rain predicted along with 50/60 degree temperatures next week there is little concern that opening day will be delayed. Eddie took a walk along the Quinapoxet River to see how the dam removal/river restoration was going and it looks as if it’s mostly complete. Much of the construction is over and the river is refreshingly free-flowing. This is a significant development to what is an already a sterling salmonoid fishery with miles of access now available for spawning. As for regulations, especially during the offseason, it’ll be interesting what authorities decide. This has been a long time coming and is very big news for anyone who loves this place. As for angling, right now things are at a stalemate with Eddie taking advantage of the lull to stock up the shelves.

• Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Massachusetts

 
When Gerry from Crack of Dawn Bait in Phillipston takes a trip to Maine to find good ice, it’s pretty obvious that Bay State hardwater is shot. He did tell me that rivers are probably the most attractive alternative to a trip north of the border. Swift River trout is one of the better bets with the flip side being Housatonic River holdover stripers. The Connecticut River is in a state of flux as ice melts steadily and should soon be opening up walleye, pike and smallmouth opportunities for anglers fishing the Barton Cove area. Two northern rivers worth watching are the Merrimack and Parker. The former should be giving up a terrific toothy bite right now as pike cruise within the shallows to spawn. Jerk baits such as Rapala X-Raps and the Megabass Vision ONETEN should get it done. Effluences where the rive mixes it up with the Concord, Spicket and Shawsheen Rivers are pinch points which pike prefer. As for the Parker River, white perch are the quarry and with encouraging news from the ladies in Surfland, this fishery just might be improving! Shad darts, curly tail grubs and crawlers will interest those salters.

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

With the weather taking a cutter to local ice, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with casting reflexes. Trout will be tops on most angler’s list with the South Shore through Cape ponds getting the majority of hatchery love over the next week. Be mindful of an early season shot at a just-stirring big bass with areas where shallow tributaries dump into watersheds prime for an early season pig. Evenings after a sunny day will be a best bet as warmer inlets attract the prey and the bass. Rivers such as the Connecticut, Sudbury and Merrimack will be heating up as pike are spawning now yet will still feed. For those who still can’t shake their frozen water fixation, New Hampshire and Maine still have game and for that we have a northern report on deck.