Fishing events for beginners
Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Events are free, family friendly, and open to all skill levels. No fishing license is required. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Limited gear and bait will be provided. Unless it says it is required, event pre-registration is encouraged but optional.
| Date & Time | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
| May 21, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Choate Park Pond in Medway | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with Medway Parks and Recreation Department. |
| May 30, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Dufresne Pond in Granby | Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Festival is for children 14 and under and their families. No registration required; email jim.lagacy@mass.gov for more information. In cooperation with the Amherst and Granby Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited. |
| June 3, 5–7 p.m. | Crystal Lake in Newton | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with Crystal Lake Conservancy and the Newton Recreation Department. |
| June 4, 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Horn Pond in Woburn | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Friends of Horn Pond. |
| June 6, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Great Falls Discover Center in Turners Falls | No registration is required, contact Jim Lagacy at Jim.Lagacy@mass.gov for more information. In cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. |
| June 8, 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Beaver Pond in Franklin | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Franklin Recreation Department. |
| June 11, 2–4 p.m. | Auburndale Cove in Newton | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Newton Recreation Department. |
| June 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Nut Island Fishing Pier in Quincy | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with MA Division of Marine Fisheries, MA Water Resources Authority, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the National Park Service, Boston Harbor Islands, Boston Harbor Now, and Save the Harbor Save the Bay. |
| June 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hampton Ponds in Westfield | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Minority Outdoor Alliance. |
| June 14, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Ipswich River Park in North Reading | Open to the public, no registration is required. Click here for more information. |
| June 22, 5–7 p.m. | Endicott Park in Danvers | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with Endicott Park. |
| June 24, 6–7:30 p.m. | Swansea Dam in Swansea | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Swansea Free Public Library. |
| June 25, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Houghton's Pond in Milton | No registration is required, contact Jim Lagacy at Jim.Lagacy@mass.gov for more information. In cooperation with The Friends of the Blue Hills, Elevate Youth and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. |
| June 25, 5–7 p.m. | New Pond in Easton | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Easton Recreation Department. |
| June 26, 5–7 p.m. | Pomps Pond in Andover | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Andover Recreation Department. |
Request a new event or borrow gear
Angler Education events are led by MassWildlife staff and volunteers. To request an event in your area, contact MassWildlife Angler Education Coordinator Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov.
Groups who want to drop a line but do not have their own equipment can borrow rods, reels, and tackle, and get instructional handouts. Email jim.lagacy@mass.gov to check availability and borrow gear.
Other resources to learn to fish
- Can't come to a fishing class? It's still easy to learn! All you need to get started is some simple gear and a little practice. Learn on your own with these tutorials.
- Interested in saltwater fishing? Check out the Saltwater Angler Education Program.
Volunteers wanted
Want to share your knowledge and experience with others? Consider becoming a volunteer fishing instructor and passing on your passion! Email jim.lagacy@mass.gov to learn more.
Event accommodations
We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible.
- Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation, please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-626-1282; an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.
- Please let us know of any language interpretation requests by email to susan.sacco@mass.gov at least 72 hours before the event.
- Se pueden solicitar servicios adicionales de traducción o interpretación enviando su solicitud por correo electrónico a susan.sacco@mass.gov al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión.
- Serviços adicionais de tradução ou interpretação podem ser solicitados ao enviar um e-mail para: susan.sacco@mass.gov com pelo menos 72 horas de antecedência da reunião.
- 如需额外的笔译或口译服务，请至少在会议开始前 72 小时发电子邮件至 susan.sacco@mass.gov 提出要求.
- Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl susan.sacco@mass.gov omwen 72 èdtan anvan reyinyon an.
- Các dịch vụ biên dịch hoặc phiên dịch bổ sung có thể được yêu cầu bằng cách gửi yêu cầu của quý vị qua email đến susan.sacco@mass.gov ít nhất 72 giờ trước cuộc họp.
- Предоставление дополнительных услуг письменного или устного перевода можно запросить, отправив просьбу по электронной почте на адрес susan.sacco@mass.gov как минимум за 72 часа до начала встречи
- Des services de traduction ou d'interprétation supplémentaires peuvent être demandés en envoyant votre demande par e-mail à susan.sacco@mass.gov au moins 72 heures avant la réunion.