Massachusetts Fishing Report – April 17, 2025

Just when things were getting a bit bland we’re getting a dose of salt to spice things up! When there’s been a break in the whipped up seas, anglers have found willing cod and haddock. However, with the striper tsunami closing in, fishing for the moment is best served up with plenty of sweetwater.

Massachusetts South Shore Fishing Report

Before that other “bass” becomes the predominant obsession, solid South Shore Larrys are occupying many an angler’s time according to Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate. The plethora of Plymouth ponds have attracted the most attention. While shiners are for many first choice, increased activity from black bass is enabling anglers to break out their bass master moves with all manner of jerk baits, crank baits and the litany of other offerings the pros use all working.

A few holdover stripers are wetting the whistle of those who just can’t wait for next week’s fresh recruit arrival. The Corn Hill Lane area of the North River as well as the effluence of Third Herring Brook is where the action has been.

The watch is on for the first wave of American shad to hit the North River/Indian Head River watershed. With the break in the blow coinciding with a few trips planned by charter captains we should have a south shore groundfish report next week.

I did talk to Captain Mark Rowell of Legit Fish Charters who is hobnobbing between the Sunshine State and the Bay State and he said he wouldn’t be surprised if haddock were already settling into Stone Ledge and other inshore gadoid hangouts. There will be specifics soon.

If you’re planning on splashing in at the Jericho Road Boat Ramp in Scituate be advised that the DMF is renovating the ramp and making host of improvements. While ultimately the news is good, the bad news is that it may take to mid-June to have it ready to go.

Greater Boston Fishing Report

Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett told me that reports from Jimmy Walsh of the American Classic has sniffed out where the haddock are lurking! He also has heard that quality pollock have moved onto Jeffrey’s Ledge with the Pigeon Hill area especially prolific. The shop is starting to move seaworms as well as Zobo Rigs as anglers are beginning to focus on flounder.

Regarding the Bay State’s favorite flatfish, the highly anticipated annual Zobo Flounder Tournament is scheduled for May 18th! I’ve been to many of these events and they are the antithesis of the high-stakes, nail-biting events many tournaments are all about with the emphasis being on – fun! Typical of the guest of honor, flounder remain an equal opportunity species whereabout shore fishers as well as kayakers have fared as well as boaters in the derby. Meanwhile the stocking of trout is ongoing with anglers fishing the Lexington Reservoir, Brookline Reservoir and Crystal Lake in Newton raving about the quality of the latest batch of rainbows!

Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy told me that flocks of cormorants at the mouth of the Weymouth Fore River could be a sign that the long-dormant river herring run there could be seeing a rebirth. Efforts spear-headed by the DMF to bring those herring back just may be paying off which would be a significant environmental success story in these parts and greatly improve the fishing. A few hardy boaters have loaded up with clams and rigs and found solid cod at the Dumping Ground. While there is no open season on cod at this time, there’s no denying that a 12 pound cod is fun to catch. The first flounder reports are imminent with Lisa suspecting that they will come from either George’s Island, Sculpin Ledge, Rainsford Island, Peddock Island or Deer Island. Play attention to your temperature gauge and where you find the warmest water – stick to there. Trout and bass have been caught at Houghton Pond, Jamaica Pond and the Brookline Reservoir.

Massachusetts North Shore Fishing Report

The big news on the North Shore is taking place north of the border as a few shops have anglers catching white perch in the Exeter River tributary of Great Bay. Surfland Bait and Tackle in Newburyport is the major player regarding this fishery and they are busily restocking seaworms to meet the demand. The other option for those salters is the Parker River but expect a much slower bite. River herring are showing an increased presence in both the Parker and Merrimack Rivers. Liz told me that Eastman’s Fleet in Seabrook New Hampshire is now utilizing 7 boats to meet the demand for ground fishing which is a surefire indicator that the haddock haul is good! I also heard that the outfitter is booking well out in advance. Captains Fishing Charters on Plum Island is ready to go as well. Shad are beginning to trickle into the Merrimack River while freshwater species are picking up their game with pike and smallies in the Haverhill section two standouts.

TJ from Three Lantern Marine and Fishing in Gloucester felt that with a predicted break in the seas reports should finally start trickling in. He suspects that cod should be in close just off Magnolia as well as Halibut Point. For a shot at a haddock Tillies Ledge as well as Southern Jeffrey’s should be holding a mixture of groundfish with cusk, redfish, pollock and haddock part of the catch. As for flounder, a sunny afternoon among the inshore flats/coves of Gloucester Harbor should give you a solid shot at a blackback.

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Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report

Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Milford said that brown trout have been among the bigger news in the region with the West River and Pratt’s Pond giving up quite a few. As for his lure picks, he leans towards gold/copper spoons with the Thomas Rough Rider a standout. As for Wachusett Reservoir, increasingly anglers are turning towards the incomparable smallmouth bass population as opposed to the cold water fishery the Chu was once almost exclusively known for. And as Rick describes it, catching salmonoids and black bass are not mutually exclusive! Shop steady Dan Southwick prefers the challenge and world class fighting capabilities of Sally over Freddy Forktail so he’s more likely to lock, load and prowl the shoreline while casting. I am of the hike-to-the-Netherlands mindset which would give Lewis and Clark pause so when Dan told me how close he casts from the roads it felt like a kick in the head. He’s unloading the full bass bait arsenal, is not afraid of clanging his wares off the bottom and he’s constantly getting “pestered” by lakers!

Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston told me that he’s been spotting a lot of folks camped out near the Stone Church at dawn and they are easily spotted by their white buckets. Odds are they’re after white perch, crappie or both. Tossing a jig/curly tail grub, spinner or even a shad dart should catch those panfish as well as the solid rainbows which are swimming there.

Some are ready to switch from the Chu to the Q as the Bay State’s biggest freshwater body kicks off the season this Saturday! For more on that I enlisted the advice of Gerry who operates his Crack of Dawn Bait and Tackle out of Phillipston. According to Gerry: “The big Q opens up this weekend. They stocked some beautiful rainbows so Powerbait will be the go to. The salmon guys will be trolling away pulling everything from live shiners on a slip rig to Thomas lures 2 -5′ deep at about 4 mph. The lakers will be all over with the cold water temps. A live shiner cast out on a 1 ounce slip rig will do the trick. If you’re in a boat don’t be afraid to try a drop-shot off a ledge out by the islands for a chance at a nice smallmouth. Quabbin is a tough fishery for sure. It is massive and contains a wide variety of species. But the tranquility and beauty is worth the trip in itself.”

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

Odds are that this will be the last report which won’t be skewed towards striped bass, so now’s the time to get your freshwater fix in while you can. Big Larrys in Plymouth or Sallys at the Chu are certainly enablers. Still prevalent cool water temperatures as well as ongoing stocking make trout the top target with the West River and Pratt Pond good options for brown trout. Quabbin Reservoir gets the green light this Saturday and for some the prospects of hooking a big salmon are secondary to the aesthetics and tranquility of this Bay State gem. Of course not all things salty begin and end with striped bass and for that we have ground fishing to be thankful for with Jeffrey’s Ledge haddock among the better bets.