In Season Now: Boston Fishing · Oct. 16
In peak season
- Freshwater trout, bass, pickerel, pike, walleye Year-Round
- Striped Bass (marine) Year-Round
- Scup May 1 – Dec 31, 2026
- Tautog Apr 1 – Dec 31, 2026
- Cod — Western Gulf of Maine Sep 1 – Oct 31, 2026
- Haddock — Gulf of Maine Apr 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
HERE Boston
Boston MA
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, MassWildlife regulations, and community fishing coverage for Suffolk County lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 0 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌒
Waxing Crescent
Illumination: 80%
66°F
63°F
18 mph
1003
as of 7:55 PM ET
Good — increasing moonlight; fish feed actively in the morning and evening hours.
Suffolk County • Greater Boston MA
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERE Boston is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and MassWildlife regulations across Suffolk County. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Boston Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Suffolk County waters. Always verify MassWildlife regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
66F
Heavy Rain And Fog/mist
Feels like 66°F
as of 7:55 PM ET
Wind
18 mph WSW
Humidity
93%
Pressure
1003 hPa
Est. Water Temp
63°F
Moon
Waxing Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
6:57 am / 6:02 pm
Location
Boston, MA
On-the-Water Tips
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
- Gusty conditions (18 mph) push baitfish to windward banks. Bass and crappie stack up on the wind-blown shoreline.
- Overcast and light rain conditions are often the best fishing weather. Fish shallow and aggressive — bass are less wary.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
66°F
Optimal Bite
Wind Speed
18 mph
Gusty — Windy Bank
Barometric Pressure
1003 hPa
Low — Fish Deep
Moon Phase
🌒
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Patchy Fog
57° / 47°
13 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SAT
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
50° / 33°
17 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
SUN
Patchy Frost then Sunny
51° / 41°
6 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
MON
Mostly Sunny
56° / 45°
7 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
TUE
Partly Sunny
58° / 48°
12 mph wind • 0% humidity
FAIR
Local Experts
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Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Boston and Greater Boston
Massachusetts
Official
Boston fishing
No new Boston-area fishing stories this week. Check current Massachusetts fishing rules from the state wildlife agency, and watch this page for the next local report.
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Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Boston and Greater Boston MA
Tackle, Rods and Reels
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Gear reviews and picks for the Boston angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Greater Boston MA waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Greater Boston MA Waters
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MassWildlife Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Suffolk County waters. Always verify current regulations at mass.gov.
MA Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Boston Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference (checked 2026-10-16). Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) at mass.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Year-Round
Freshwater trout, bass, pickerel, pike, walleye
Statewide inland seasons are Jan. 1 – Dec. 31: trout 6/day (max 3 brook/brown/tiger), black bass 5/day 12", pickerel 5/day 15", pike 1/day 28", walleye 5/day 14". License needed at 15+.
Year-Round
Striped Bass (marine)
1 fish per day, slot 28" to less than 31". Inline circle hooks required with natural bait; no gaffing.
May 16 – Oct 14, 2026
Black Sea Bass
16" minimum; 4 fish May 16 – Aug 31, 2 fish Sept 1 – Oct 14.
May 1 – Dec 31, 2026
Scup
Private vessel 11", shore 9.5"; 30 fish.
May 24 – Sep 23, 2026
Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Vessel 17.5", shore 16.5"; 5 fish.
Apr 1 – Dec 31, 2026
Tautog
16" minimum (one fish may exceed 21"). 3 fish Apr 1 – May 31, 1 fish Jun 1 – Jul 31, 3 fish Aug 1 – Oct 14, 5 fish Oct 15 – Dec 31.
Sep 1 – Oct 31, 2026
Cod — Western Gulf of Maine
23" minimum, 1 fish. DMF notes cod and haddock rules may change after federal rulemaking. Southern New England cod: prohibited.
Apr 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Haddock — Gulf of Maine
17" minimum, 15 fish. Subject to change after federal rulemaking.
Year-Round
Winter Flounder — Gulf of Maine
12" minimum, 8 fish.
Year-Round
Bluefish
No size limit; 5 fish (shore and private vessel), 7 on for-hire vessels.
Jun 16 – Dec 31, 2026
Smelt (marine)
50 fish. Also open Jan 1 – Mar 14.
Jun 6–7, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
No freshwater license required (MassWildlife).
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Suffolk County water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. MassWildlife trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit www.mass.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Boston area, answered.
-
Yes. Massachusetts requires a freshwater fishing license for anglers 15 and older; it is free for residents 15 to 17 and 70 and over. Massachusetts' 2026 Free Fishing Weekend was June 6–7, when no freshwater fishing license was required.
-
Suffolk County has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult MassWildlife for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
-
The best crappie fishing in Suffolk County is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Boston lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult MassWildlife for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Boston typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult MassWildlife for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
MassWildlife stocks select Suffolk County waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the MassWildlife website at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-fisheries-and-wildlife — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current MassWildlife schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Boston.
FISHING NEWS NEAR BOSTON MA
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