FISHING IN MASSACHUSETTS
The diverse number of places to go fishing and boating in Massachusetts won’t disappoint you. Go saltwater surf fishing off the Cape Cod National Seashore or take a sailboat out on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester. Because of it’s unique geography and location, Massachusetts offers fishing for both warmer and cooler water saltwater species.
FIND FISHING SPOTS NEAR YOU
TOP FISHING SPOTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
CAPE COD BAY
QUINSIGAMOND STATE PARK
This State Park consists of two sites located on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester: Regatta Point and Lake Park.
CASTLE ISLAND
Castle Island is one of Boston's most popular fishing spots. Fish off the pier and around Pleasure Bay.
GET A MASSACHUSETTS FISHING LICENSE
COMMON CATCHES IN MASSACHUSETTS
YELLOW PERCH
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The yellow perch, unlike the so-called white perch, Morone americana, is a true perch, not a bass.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6-foot, fast-action spinning rod |
| Reel | Small spinning reel |
| Line | 4-pound test line |
| Lure | #2-#6 hook, Most commonly used bait are worms, Rubber jig, Small Spinners |
BLUEFISH
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
You can sniff out bluefish by their smell, which is something like fresh cucumbers.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7-foot, light- to medium-action spinning |
| Reel | Matching spinning reel with quality drag |
| Line | 15-20-pound braid; and 20-pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Popper's; Bluefish aren't picky about lure type, just needs to create a surface disturbance. Smaller does well. |
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6.5 foot medium or medium-heavy action graphite spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 8-pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Frog & Toad Fishing Baits, Soft Plastic Baits, Topwater Fishing Baits |
STRIPED BASS
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
To most freshwater anglers, the striped bass is a very important game fish is relatively new.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7 or 7.5-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod |
| Reel | 4000 Spinning reel |
| Line | 15-20 pound test monofilament fishing line |
| Lure | Topwater, Shallow Running Crankbaits,Medium Running Crankbaits, Deep Running Crankbaits, Bottom Bouncers |
CHAIN PICKEREL
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
All members of the genus Esox look very much alike. The chain pickerel can be recognized by its markings.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 6-7-foot light to medium weight spinning rod |
| Reel | Spinning reel |
| Line | 6-10 pound test fishing line |
| Lure | Minnows, Spoonds, Diving Crankbaits, Jigs, Wobblers, Prop Lures, Poppers |
TAUTOG
FIND WHERE TO CATCH
The tog is a member of the wrasse family which, with 450 species in 60 known genera, is one of the largest families of fishes.
| GEAR TO USE | |
|---|---|
| Rod | 7-8 foot medium-fast action spinning rod |
| Reel | 6000 spinning reel |
| Line | 50-80 pound test braided line knotted to an 4-5 foot topshot of 80-pound fluorocarbon leader |
| Lure | Hermit crabs, blue-claw crabs, white-legger crabs, green crabs, fiddler crabs. Size 5/0 to 7/0 Octopus hook. |
LAKES & PONDS
Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.
