April 2026
2026 fishing & hunting seasons
April 1: Turkey Scouting Class, Virtual – Join us for a virtual Turkey Scouting Class from 6–8 p.m. on Zoom. A group of knowledgeable hunters will teach you the basics of wild turkey biology, finding and scouting public and private land for turkeys, using online tools to scout, identifying turkey sign and some general scouting tips to put to practice. During breakout sessions, MassWildlife staff from across the state will help you identify potential places to scout or hunt near you. Click here to register.
April 4: Learn to Hunt Turkey Seminar, Ashburnham – This in-person seminar is from 8:30 a.m.–2p.m. at the Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club and counts for youth ages 12-17 to obtain their youth turkey permit, as well as provides space for new adult turkey hunters to be introduced to turkey hunting. This seminar will be led by Fitchburg Sportsmen's Club instructors and includes a combination of classroom learning and outdoor stations, including practicing patterning your shotgun for turkey season. This class is family friendly and is open to anyone ages 12+. Space is limited, register today!
April 7: Intro to Fly Tying, Greenfield – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at the Greenfield Public Library (get directions) from 4:30–7:30 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
April 9: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Online – The April quarterly meeting of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee will be held at 1:30 p.m., virtually via a Zoom webinar. Interested persons can attend the meeting via a Zoom video webinar. Click here to register in advance to join meeting from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android. After registering, you will automatically receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
April 10: Intro to Fly Tying, Amherst – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at the Notch Visitors Center (get directions) from 12:30–3:30 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
April 13: Public Hearing, Online only – MassWildlife will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on proposed regulatory amendments to 321 CMR 3.02(2) Migratory Game Bird Regulations in Massachusetts, via a Zoom video webinar. Click to register in advance to join the webinar from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android. Visit Mass.gov/MassWildlife/Hearings to read the proposed regulations and provide comments.
April 14: Turkey Calling Seminar, Westborough – Calling all interested turkey hunters! Join MassWildlife and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for a 1-hour class from 5–6 p.m. at MassWildlife Field Headquarters to learn all about turkey calling! This class will give you an opportunity to practice calling under the guide of experienced turkey callers. For this class, you will spend the hour practicing a specific type of call, either a box call, pot call or mouth call. When you register for the class, please select what type of call you want to work with. If you select mouth call, you must bring your own. Click here to register.
April 15: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Westborough and Online – The April monthly business meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters. Interested persons can attend the meeting either in person or via a Zoom video webinar. Click here to register in advance to join meeting from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android. After registering, you will automatically receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
April 18: Learn to Hunt Turkey Seminar, Montague – Join MassWildlife staff from 8 a.m.–12 p.m. at the Bitzer Fish Hatchery for a seminar on turkey hunting. Participants will learn about turkey biology and laws, finding a hunting location/scouting, decoy placement/setting up, and turkey calling. Participants are encouraged to bring their own turkey calls if they would like to practice under the guide of instructors. There will be both indoor and outdoor learning stations, so please dress appropriately. This class is family friendly and open to anyone ages 12+. Click here to register.
April 18: Turkey Range Day Practice and Instruction, Harvard – Join MassWildlife and instructors from the Harvard Sportsmen's Club from 8–9:30 a.m. for a class designed to provide new hunters the opportunity to practice patterning your shotgun for turkey season. Participants will learn about shot placement and have time to practice on the range. You must bring your own shotgun and ammunition that you plan to use during the turkey season. This class is family friendly and is open to anyone ages 12+. Click here to register.
April 18: Turkey Range Day Practice and Instruction, Harvard – Join MassWildlife and instructors from the Harvard Sportsmen's Club from 9:30–11 a.m. for a class designed to provide new hunters the opportunity to practice patterning your shotgun for turkey season. Participants will learn about shot placement and have time to practice on the range. You must bring your own shotgun and ammunition that you plan to use during the turkey season. This class is family friendly and is open to anyone ages 12+. Click here to register.
April 19: Springfield Science Museum Earth Day Festival, Springfield – The Angler Education Program will have a learn to cast station at the festival at the Springfield Science Museum (get directions) from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. This event is open to the public and no pre-registration is required. For more information, contact the Springfield Science Museum at 413-263-6800 x325.
April 21: Public Trout Stocking Event, Brewster – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Cliff Pond in Brewster. Meet at 11 a.m. at the beach area off Flax Pond Road.
April 21: Public Trout Stocking Event, Shutesbury – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Lake Wyola in Shutesbury. Meet at 11 a.m. at Lake Wyola State Park. Please note that there are no restrooms available.
April 22: Public Trout Stocking Event, Westfield – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Hampton Ponds in Westfield. Meet at 11 a.m. using the main entrance at Hampton Ponds State Park.
April 22: Public Trout Stocking Event, Braintree – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Sunset Lake in Braintree. Meet at noon at Sunset Lake at 21 Safford Street.
April 22: Public Trout Stocking Event, Worcester – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester. Meet at 11 a.m. at Regatta Point in Quinsigamond State Park at 10 Lake Avenue North.
April 22: Public Trout Stocking Event, Pittsfield – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Onota Lake in Pittsfield. Meet at 12:30 p.m. at Burbank Park on Lakeway Drive.
April 23: Public Trout Stocking Event, Plymouth – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Long Pond in Plymouth. Meet at 11 a.m. at the Long Pond Boat Ramp off Clark Road.
April 23: Public Trout Stocking Event, Chicopee – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Chicopee Reservoir in Chicopee. Meet at 11 a.m. at Chicopee Reservoir on Johnny Cake Hollow Road.
April 24: Public Trout Stocking Event, Leominster – The public is invited to help MassWildlife stock trout during school vacation week. Meet MassWildlife fisheries staff, view trout up close, and learn about places to fish near you. This event will be at Colburn Pond in Leominster. Meet at 11 a.m. at Colburn Pond at Barrett Park, 40 Barrett Parkway.
April 25: Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Festival, Springfield – This event is intended for children 12 and under and their families. This free, learn to fish event will be held at Barney Pond in Forest Park (299 Sumner Ave., get directions) from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program, the Springfield Elks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the Springfield Parks Department, Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited, and the Springfield Police and Fire Departments. This event is open to the public and no registration is required. For more information, email Jim.Lagacy@mass.gov.
April 26: Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival, Brookline –This family friendly, learn to fish event will be held at Brookline Reservoir (get directions) from 9 a.m. – noon. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Pre-registration is required, register by calling the Brookline Recreation Department at (617) 730-2069. This event is in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Brookline Recreation Department. A $7 fee per family will be charged by the Recreation Department and can be paid online, by phone or in person at the event.
May 2026
May 2: Westborough Civic Club Fishing Challenge, Westborough – Join the fun at this learn to fish event at Sandra Pond (get directions) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, no pre-registration required. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Westborough Civic Club.
May 4: Public Hearing on Proposed Changes to Freshwater Fishing Regulations, Virtual – A virtual public hearing is being held to collect comments on proposed changes to freshwater fishing regulations at 6:00 p.m. Visit the Public Hearings page to view the proposed regulations and for the link to join the Zoom webinar. You may also provide your written comments using a link on that page, including whether you support or do not support the regulations as proposed.
May 5: Family Fishing Clinic, Lexington – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Old Reservoir in Lexington (Parking area off of Rt. 2A; get directions) from 5 – 7 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (781) 698-4800 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Lexington Recreation Department.
May 6: Family Fishing Clinic, Lincoln/Sudbury – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Camp Sewataro Fishing Pond (1 Liberty Ledge Road; get directions) from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. All equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (978) 443-9961x3326 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Lincoln-Sudbury Adult and Community Education Program.
May 7: Family Fishing Clinic, Hudson – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Fort Meadow Pond in Hudson (Centennial Beach; get directions) from 5 – 7 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; click here to register. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Hudson Recreation Department.
May 9: Eric Tarpinian-Jachym Family Fishing Festival, Westfield — Join a fun, free, family-friendly fishing clinic at DCR Hampton Ponds State Park from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This event is in honor Eric Tarpinian-Jachym of Granby, MA, who was an avid angler with an unmatched passion for fishing and the outdoors. MassWildlife instructors will help you learn how to set up your rod, tie knots, and cast. Bring your own fishing gear or borrow ours; no fishing license or experience needed. Contact jim.lagacy@mass.gov with questions about the fishing clinic. This event will be fully accessible; if you need accommodations, please contact MassAbility at MassAbilityComms@mass.gov.
May 13: Family Fishing Clinic, Shrewsbury – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Dean Park Pond in Shrewsbury (get directions) from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (508) 841-8503 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Shrewsbury Recreation Department.
May 14: Family Fishing Clinic, Andover – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Pomps Pond in Andover (147 Abbot Street; get directions) from 5 – 7 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; click here to register or call (978) 623-8340 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Andover Recreation Department.
May 16: Veterans Family Fishing Festival, Marlborough –Veterans and their families are invited to this family friendly fishing event at the Marlboro Fish and Game Club (1 Muddy Lane; get directions) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. No pre-registration is required; contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@mass.gov for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Marlboro Fish and Game Club.
May 16: Spec Pond Family Fishing Derby, Wilbraham – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish event at Spectacle Pond (get directions) from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, no pre-registration is required. Contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov or (508) 389-6309 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program, Wilbraham Parks and Recreation Department, and Westfield Bank.
May 19: Family Fishing Clinic, Canton – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Bolivar Pond (get directions) from 4:30–6:30 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; click here to register. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Canton Recreation Department.
May 20: Family Fishing Clinic, Wellesley – Join the fun at this family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Longfellow Pond (get directions) from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration is required; call the Wellesley Recreation Department to register at (781) 235-2370. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Wellesley Recreation Department.
May 21: Family Fishing Clinic, Medway – Join the fun at this learn to fish clinic at Choate Park Pond (get directions) from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Open to the public, pre-registration required; click here to register or call (508) 321-4740 for more information. This event is being held in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program and the Medway Parks and Recreation Department.
May 30: Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Festival, Granby – This event is intended for children 14 and under and their families. This free, learn to fish event will be held at Dufresne Pond Recreation Area in Granby (get directions) from 9:00 a.m. – noon. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with MassWildlife's Angler Education Program, the Amherst, and Granby Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited. This event is open to the public, no registration required. Contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov for more information.
Questions about an event?
Email Mass.Wildlife@mass.gov
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.