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The Official Website of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG)

 
Fisheries Information

Fisheries Publications

Fisheries related publications are below. If you don't find what you need, go back to the More Publications link.

Unless otherwise noted, all publications are free for pick up at MassWildlife offices. Some publications are also available online, a few are ONLY available online. ($) = sale item only

  • Fish of Massachusetts Brochure -- A new full color, illustrated brochure of the Freshwater Fishes of Massachusetts is available from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). The brochure includes pictures of most of the freshwater fish species found in Massachusetts and is packed with information that will be valuable for any conservationist with an interest in ponds, streams or rivers. Available to pick up at MassWildlife District offices, Field HQ in West Boylston and Boston offices and MassWildlife hatcheries. To obtain a copy by mail, send a self-addressed, business sized 61-cent stamped to: Fish Brochure, MassWildlife Field Headquarters, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd, Westborough, MA 01581

Technical Reports

  • Factors Influencing Riverine Fish Assemblages in Massachusetts, 2011. The US Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the MA Department of Fish and Game, MA DCR, and MA DEP conducted an investigation of small- and medium-sized Massachusetts streams to find out how the combination of physical natural basin characteristics (slope, sand and gravel, basin size, elevation) and human land use characteristics (flow alteration, impervious land coverage, dams) affect the compositions of fish communities found in those streams. Todd Richards, MassWildlife Aquatic Biologist is a co-author of this report. This technical report is available on line from the USGS website.

  • Target Fish Community Technical Report, 2009 (5MB) - Published in April of 2009 by the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, this report includes methods used in the Target Fish Community effort, describes river-specific results for 11 major mainstem rivers and conclusion on the effort. Though only a few hard copies are available, the Technical report is available on line.
  • "Eastern Brook Trout: Status and Threats" - Produced by the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture, this is the first comprehensive assessment of the status of brook trout in the Eastern United States. The Joint Venture was initiated in 2002 as a pilot program of the National Fish Habitat Initiative. Participants include fish and wildlife agencies from 17 states, federal partners, conservation organizations such as Trout Unlimited and academic institutions. The results of this assessment will be used to develop state-by-state strategies for brook trout conservation and recovery. A Massachusetts booklet is available from MassWildlife's Westborough office. The full report, as well as state-specific data and maps, are available at www.brookie.org.

Fact Sheets

For more information that is not in "fact sheet form" go to Fish Facts.

  • Largemouth Bass Fact Sheet - Life history and fishing tips.
  • List of Massachusetts Inland Fishes - "An Annotated Working List of the Inland Fishes of Massachusetts", Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology. (external link).

Magazine Articles

Excerpts from Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine.

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