Freshwater fishing resources

Whether you're a beginner learning to fish on your own or looking to improve your existing skills, we've got the tutorials and tips to support you!

Beginners

Find a Learn to Fish class  Go Fish MA! digital fishing map 

 

• Learn about freshwater fishing
  This guide will help answer some basic questions about getting started.
• Learn to fish with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program
  Find learn-to-fish events for beginners.

• Fishing basics video (1 hour 30 minutes)
  Everything you need to know to get started fishing. Watch the whole video, or skip around to different topics of interest.

• Find a place to fish
  Get a map of Massachusetts waterbodies.

• How to set up your fishing rod
  Learn how to line your fishing rod and tie quick and simple knots to get started fishing today!

• All About Ice Fishing (1 hour video)
  Learn how to get started ice fishing, including safety, gear, bait, and more.
• Family Fishing Tips (1 hour video)
  Get tips for planning a fun fishing trip for the whole family. Learn about equipment, bait, where to go, and other considerations for fishing with kids.
• 10 tips for taking kids fishing
  With a little planning, you can ensure that young anglers stay engaged, keep safe, and have fun.
• Get even more information with these helpful fishing tips and tutorials from TakeMeFishing.org.

Special topics

• Panfish: How to catch, prepare, and cook
  Get tips and recipes to help you enjoy the freshwater fish you catch. Panfish include fish like black crappie, white perch, yellow perch, bluegill, and pumpkinseed.

• All About Ice Fishing: Angler Education Coordinator Jim Lagacy gives his best tips for getting started ice fishing, including safety, gear, bait, and more. 

• Fall Trout Fishing Tips: MassWildlife Hatchery Manager Caleb Slater, Assistant Director of Fisheries Todd Richards, and Angler Education Coordinator Jim Lagacy talk all things trout in Massachusetts! They give important updates about fall trout stocking, show you how to find trout stocked waters near you, and offer fall trout fishing tips.

• Finding Bass in Mass: Professional bass angler Gene Ellison joins MassWildlife staff and divulges some of his best tips for finding and catching bass. Jason Stolarski, MassWildlife Watershed Project Leader, talks about how he catches and studies bass and other fish in lakes and ponds across Massachusetts with fisheries sampling gear. Todd Richards, MassWildlife Assistant Director of Fisheries, demos some great online tools to help you find bass on your own.