Fall trout stocking
MassWildlife will stock over 65,500 trout into waterbodies across the Commonwealth starting in late September. Over 33,000 rainbow trout will be over 14 inches long and the remaining rainbow and brown trout will be over a foot long. When stocking begins, visit mass.gov/trout for daily updates.
As the weather cools down, the fishing heats up! With fewer crowds, fall is the perfect time to get on the water. Check out our best fall fishing tips, including how to target bass and trout.
Want to improve your fishing skills? Join MassWildlife for a free fishing class. Find an upcoming event near you.
Guide to Turtles in Massachusetts
Found in a variety of habitats, 10 species of native freshwater turtles and 4 marine turtles call Massachusetts home. With our new turtle guide, you can learn more about these species and identify the turtles you see on an outdoor adventure or in your backyard. Learn about the colors, patterns, habitats, and behaviors of our turtle species.
Paddle, fish, explore!
Paddling a kayak or canoe is a great way to experience the outdoors—whether you're seeking solitude, watching for wildlife, or casting for a keeper. In an ongoing effort to improve fishing resources for anglers in the Commonwealth, MassWildlife has upgraded the Go Fish MA! digital fishing map. We’ve added hundreds of new public cartop boat launch locations, making it easier than ever to find places to launch your kayak or canoe and enjoy a day on the water.
Paddling provides a unique opportunity to experience nature from the water, giving you close-up views of birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats. You can drift quietly along the shoreline, enjoying the stillness, and observing wildlife like herons, ducks, turtles, and beavers.
For anglers, canoeing and kayaking opens up even more possibilities. These small, maneuverable boats allow you to reach hidden fishing spots on lakes and ponds that larger boats can’t access, increasing your chances of a good catch. Whether you’re chasing bass in a quiet cove, casting for trout in the deep water, or fishing from a remote shoreline, paddling gives you a versatile platform to pursue your favorite pastime.
More about Go Fish MA!
The Go Fish MA! digital fishing map helps you discover waterbodies across Massachusetts that are perfect for small boat adventures. Map features include cartop and trailered boat launch locations, directions, links to waterbody descriptions, bathymetric maps (depth), trout stocked waters, and bait shops. You can filter the map to fine tune your search. Visit Go Fish MA! to start planning your next trip.
Top 10 fishing spots to explore by boat
Dark Brook Reservoir, Auburn
The boat launch on the northern basin of Dark Brook Reservoir requires a short carry from the parking area.
Dark Brook Reservoir is a 243-acre warmwater impoundment split into two basins by the Massachusetts Turnpike. The shallow southern basin and deeper northern basin are connected by a culvert you can paddle through.
Both basins have parking and cartop boat launches. The reservoir offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass and chain pickerel, along with bluegill, black crappie, white perch, and yellow perch. Learn more about Dark Brook Reservoir.
Holland Pond, Holland
Also known as Lake Siog, Holland Pond is a 70-acre impoundment of the Quinebaug River. It averages 10 feet deep with a maximum depth of 24 feet, and visibility is typically 4 to 5 feet. Much of the shoreline is undeveloped. Lake Siog Park, on the southern shore, offers a swimming beach and picnic areas. Canoes and kayaks can launch from three locations.
Despite its small size, Holland Pond produces northern pike, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, common carp, and black crappie that often qualify for the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program. Largemouth bass in the 1–2 pound range are common, with occasional catches nearing 5 pounds. Carp up to 15 pounds have also been reported. Trout fishing is best in early spring and fall, coinciding with annual stockings. Learn more about Holland Pond.
Moosehorn Pond, Hubbardston
Canoe or kayak boar launch at Moosehorn Pond.
Moosehorn Pond is a 110-acre undeveloped great pond surrounded by conservation land. The northern section is a bog with multiple islands. The average depth is 8 feet, with a maximum depth of 21 feet. Channels in the northern bog offer canoe access for observing unique plant life and wildlife. MassWildlife manages a gravel ramp for cartop boats and a 10-car parking area. Largemouth bass and pickerel are common, with good fishing year-round. Yellow perch and black crappie are abundant. Learn more about Moosehorn Pond.
Knops Pond and Lost Lake, Groton
Knops Pond and Lost Lake are popular for fishing, boating, water skiing, and swimming. The maximum depth is just over 30 feet, but average depth is less than 10 feet. The water is clear, and aquatic vegetation is abundant in the large shallow sections. A concrete boat ramp and parking area are located on the northeast side of Lost Lake. The lake is stocked with trout in spring and fall and also offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass and panfish. Learn more about Knops Pond and Lost Lake.
Watershops Pond, Springfield
Also known as Lake Massasoit, this 180-acre impoundment of the Mill River provides a quiet paddle near downtown Springfield. The city manages shoreline access at Alden Street for canoeing, kayaking, and shore fishing. Additional cartop access is available at Thomas J. Sullivan Park and from Wilbraham Road. The shoreline has excellent structure—downed trees and rocks—supporting plentiful 1–2 pound largemouth bass. Carp over 20 pounds are also common. While water clarity is low and weeds can be challenging, patient anglers will find success with bass, carp, and panfish. Learn more about Watershops Pond.
Agawam Mill Pond, Wareham
Agawam Mill Pond cartop boat launch at Whitlock’s Landing.
Agawam Mill Pond is a 145-acre impoundment of the Agawam River, with an average depth of 4 feet and a maximum of 13 feet. At the southern tip of the pond there is a concrete boat ramp suitable for trailered craft, along with parking and shore fishing access. Additional cartop access is available at Whitlock’s Landing off Glen Charlie Road. The pond supports largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, common carp, black crappie, white and yellow perch, bullhead, and sunfish. Learn more about Agawam Mill Pond.
Cheshire Reservoir, Cheshire and Lanesborough
Cheshire Reservoir is a 575-acre impoundment of the Hoosic River with three basins separated by causeways. The northern basin is 295 acres (avg. depth 7 ft, max. 14 ft), the middle basin is 187 acres (avg. depth 5 ft, max. 10 ft), and the southern basin is 93 acres and very shallow. Aquatic vegetation becomes dense in summer, especially in shallower areas. The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages a concrete boat ramp and dock on the north basin and a gravel ramp on the middle basin. Additional shore fishing is available along the rail trail on the eastern shore of the northern and middle basins. The reservoir is known for its quality largemouth bass, yellow perch, and northern pike. Learn more about Cheshire Reservoir.
Otis Reservoir, Otis and Tolland
Otis Reservoir is a 1,036-acre great pond located on the Otis/Tolland town line, averaging 18 feet deep with a maximum depth of 52 feet. Water clarity is 8–10 feet, and vegetation is limited to coves. Much of the northern shoreline is surrounded by homes; the southern portion lies within Tolland State Forest and is undeveloped. DCR manages a large concrete boat ramp near Tolland State Forest Campground. Two dirt access points for cartop boats are available—one on the north shore of the eastern bay and another at the southern tip. The reservoir is popular for trout fishing, but also holds chain pickerel, crappie, sunfish, white perch, and yellow perch. Learn more about Otis Reservoir.
Ashland Reservoir, Ashland
Gravel ramp at Ashland Reservoir.
Ashland Reservoir is a 173-acre impoundment of Cold Spring Brook located within Ashland State Park. It has an average depth of 24 feet and a maximum of 50 feet. The undeveloped shoreline provides a natural setting for recreation. DCR manages a small gravel ramp on the southern tip suitable for trailered and cartop boats. Additional access is available from the western shore. Trout are caught year-round, especially in spring and fall. Largemouth bass, particularly in the 10–14 inch range, are abundant near the drop-offs along the western shore. Learn more about Ashland Reservoir.
Rico Lake, Taunton
Rico Lake is a 195-acre impoundment of Furnace Brook, almost entirely within Massasoit State Park. The shoreline is forested, and motorized boats are prohibited. DCR manages two dirt/gravel launches for cartop boats on the northern end. The lake features many small bays and islands with excellent structure. Anglers frequently catch largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, sunfish, and bullhead. Learn more about Rico Lake.
Busy Biologists in Buzzard's Bay
Buzzard's Bay watershed has one of the most diverse landscapes in Massachusetts. This summer, MassWildlife carried out a range of conservation projects, including terrapin counting in, botanical and habitat work, prescribed burns, herring passage monitoring, and stream surveys throughout the region. These efforts highlight the agency’s commitment to protecting wildlife, restoring habitats, and supporting biodiversity across southeastern Massachusetts. Read on to learn more about each project and see photos of the work in action.
Terrapin counting in Wareham
What are those people doing on their kayaks with big nets in the Wareham and Agawam Rivers? That’s MassWildlife surveying diamond-backed terrapins! Diamond-backed terrapins are an estuarine turtle with a range spanning from Wellfleet, MA to the Texas Gulf Coast. They face threats from habitat loss, habitat degradation, road mortality, poaching, and drowning from being caught in crab traps. Due to their threatened status, it’s important to get population estimates and identify critical habitat sites for conservation management. With the help of Zoo New England and the University of South Florida, MassWildlife’s field team conducted visual surveys at multiple sites through the Buzzard’s Bay estuary, from Onset to Dartmouth. This year, MassWildlife trapped, marked, and released about 800 turtles to estimate population size. To learn about turtle movements throughout the year, field staff attached acoustic transmitters to 25 females, bringing the total of tagged terrapins to 55.
150 years of botanical surveys on Penikese Island
Found towards the tip of the Elizabeth Island chain, MassWildlife manages a wildlife sanctuary on Penikese Island. This summer, the island celebrated 150 years of botanical surveys. MassWildlife's botanists Robert Wernerehl and Karro Frost, alongside 18 volunteers, conducted the most recent botanical surveys on the island. Plants, like the slender sea purslane, were recorded over the course of two days. This kind of work is important to biologists because the surveys allow them to set a baseline to monitor flora change over time. Read a more in-depth interview about the importance of the survey work done on Penikese Island.
Habitat team on Penikese Island
Botanical surveying wasn’t the only activity on Penikese Island this summer! MassWildlife’s seasonal habitat management crew treated 22 acres for invasive plants—including black swallow-wart, Japanese honeysuckle, and Oriental bittersweet—with herbicides. Targeted herbicide treatments control invasive plant species that threaten the health and biodiversity of the 75-acre island. The native plants that make up the maritime grasslands and shrublands on the island serve as nesting habitat for the roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) and common tern (Sterna hirundo), which are both listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). MassWildlife uses a variety of tools to restore and maintain healthy habitats including herbicide application, cutting or mowing, prescribed fire, and reseeding with native plants.
MassWildlife’s seasonal staff waiting on the dock to get off the island after a long day’s work.
Prescribed Fire at Frances A. Crane WMA
Frances A. Crane Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is an ecological gem, containing some of the region’s most diverse and important habitats including nearly 2,500 acres of sandplain grasslands, pitch pine barrens, and pitch pine–oak forests and woodlands. It is home to over 20 MESA-listed species. The habitats on the WMA are dependent on fire to grow and thrive, making Frances A. Crane one of MassWildlife’s most active prescribed fire sites. In 2025, MassWildlife, with the assistance of its many partners including DCR, AmeriCorps, the Massachusetts Army National Guard, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, Buzzards Bay Coalition, and local fire departments, conducted prescribed fires on 234 acres over the course of four burn days. Every prescribed fire followed a detailed plan to safely achieve restoration objectives, such as improving habitat for specific wildlife species or promoting seedling recruitment for certain plants.
Left: AmeriCorps and Army National Guard crew working with MassWildlife staff on a prescribed fire at Frances A. Crane WMA. Right: Fresh growth after a 2025 prescribed fire at Frances A. Crane WMA.
Red Brook herring passage
Massachusetts is home to anadromous fish that rely on saltwater most of their adult lives but migrate to freshwater to spawn. Herring passages are a way for these fish to navigate to their spawning locations that were previously closed off by human development. MassWildlife manages the Red Brook WMA herring passage that runs through a former cranberry bog to their spawning location. This connection of Red Brook to White Island Pond is in fact not natural and is an example of how species have adapted to human influence from over 100 years ago. A channel between the original headwaters of Red Brook and White Island Pond was hand dug in the 1800s to provide herring access to the pond for breeding. Because of this, MassWildlife Southeast District staff monitor the brook and adjust the flow of water in the fishway as needed to allow for fish passage. This year, through ResilientMass funding, they installed water level and temperature monitoring equipment to keep tabs on flows in real time and react more quickly to issues that could impact blueback herring and alewife (collectively referred to as “river herring”) and the American eel, which are all listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the Massachusetts State Wildlife Action Plan.
Stream surveys
Each summer, MassWildlife conducts surveys of a subset of streams on a rotating schedule to provide a baseline of fish populations data. MassWildlife’s fisheries biologists and technicians use a variety of techniques including backpack electroshocking to collect data on fish populations in streams. This equipment sends a low-level electric current through the water that temporarily stuns fish allowing them to be safely netted. The team records length and weights for each fish before releasing them. Stream surveys often involve partners from state, federal, local, non-profit, and tribal entities, especially if the data impacts nearby habitat restoration projects. Collectively, these data allow biologists to monitor changes in fish populations over time and understand how landscape changes alter fish communities. This year, 7 streams were surveyed in the Buzzard’s Bay Watershed.
This is only a fraction of the work being done in Buzzard’s Bay. Eelgrass research, coastal bird surveying, bald eagle banding, trout stocking, among other activities occurred all summer long. Next time you see the MassWildlife logo in your area, get curious and learn about how we are improving Massachusetts’s biodiversity.
Antlerless Deer Permit announcement
Attention deer hunters: New hunting regulations went into effect this year. Review the changes.
If you applied for an Antlerless Deer Permit by July 16, log into MassFishHunt to see if you were awarded a permit.
Surplus permits are available starting Sept. 23. Permits for zones 10, 11, 13, & 14 have no purchase limit. Limited permits for zones 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, & 12 will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to get full details.
Fall outdoor safety tips
The return of cooler weather means many Massachusetts sportsmen and women will head into the woods for the fall 2025 hunting season. Massachusetts residents may be wondering where and when hunting will be taking place this fall. Early Canada goose hunting began on September 1, black bear hunting season opened statewide on September 2, while pheasant hunting season opens October 18. Archery deer and turkey hunting seasons begin statewide on October 6. Click here to review a summary of all hunting seasons and migratory game bird hunting seasons. Hunting on Sunday is not permitted in Massachusetts. Many public lands are open to hunting including Wildlife Management Areas, most state parks, and many town-owned lands. Research the property you plan to visit to learn if hunting is allowed.
Hunting is a safe activity and non-hunters should feel comfortable using the woods at any time of year. Although hunting accidents are extremely rare, wearing blaze orange will help minimize your chances of being mistaken for game animals during the hunting season. While hunters are required to wear blaze orange during certain seasons, all outdoor users who are in the woods during hunting seasons should wear a blaze orange hat or vest as a precaution.
Safety tips for non-hunters
- Be safe, be seen. A brightly colored orange vest or hat will help you stay visible. Avoid wearing any earth-toned or animal-colored clothing. The use of blaze orange has dramatically reduced the number of hunting-related accidents in the field. Watch a short video on the Effectiveness of Blaze Orange. Remember, hunters are often active during the early morning and late afternoon when animals are most active. Be especially aware of your own visibility during these times when light is dim.
- Keep pets leashed and visible. Place a blaze orange vest or bandana on your pet to keep it visible.
- Know when and where hunting is allowed. Review hunting regulations and season dates. Sunday hunting is not permitted in Massachusetts. Wildlife Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Easements, and Access Areas are open to hunting. Most state parks and forests are open to hunting, and many towns allow hunting on municipal lands. Learn about lands open to hunting in Massachusetts. Research the property you plan to visit to learn if hunting is allowed. If being in the woods during hunting season makes you uneasy, find a location where hunting is not allowed or plan your outing for a Sunday or another day outside of hunting season.
- Make your presence known. Talk loudly or whistle to identify yourself as a person. You may also consider wearing a bell. If you see someone hunting or hear shots, call out to them to identify your location.
- Be courteous. Once you've made your presence known, don't make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife or hunting. Hunter harassment is against state law. Avoid confrontations with hunters. If you think you've witnessed a fish or wildlife violation, report it to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.
New board member: Malcolm Haith
Malcolm Haith, of Boxford, has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board. The seven-member Fisheries and Wildlife Board has oversight of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) and is the state’s adopting authority for regulations relating to hunting and fishing, endangered species, and other fish- and wildlife-related issues. Haith will represent the Northeast Wildlife District, replacing Bob Durand of Marlborough. A corporate and executive security professional throughout his career, Haith is currently the founder and CEO of an executive protection services firm based in Boxford.
“I am pleased and honored to be appointed to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board,” said Malcolm Haith. “I am passionate about conserving both open land and biodiversity in Massachusetts and encouraging as many people as possible—of all ages, races, and ethnicities—to participate in all the outdoor opportunities the Commonwealth has to offer. I look forward to contributing in a thoughtful and meaningful way.”
Haith brings a lifetime of rich outdoor experiences to his work on the Board, beginning with state-sponsored fishing events for kids during his early childhood in Connecticut and during family trips to his grandfather’s farm in North Carolina. There he learned about the importance of nature as a source of food as well as of recreational opportunities. While a student at Northeastern University, he used MassWildlife’s maps and guides to explore fishing areas throughout the state and he expanded his outdoor interests after college to include hunting deer, waterfowl, upland birds, and big game, in New England and in North Carolina. After being introduced to the conservation benefits and joys of working with well-trained bird dogs, Haith became an avid hunting dog trainer and competitor and currently has two Field Champion Labrador Retrievers in the American Kennel Club (AKC) Retriever Field Trials.
“Malcolm Haith has many years of experience hunting and fishing and is a leader in the hunting community both within Massachusetts and nationally, particularly his involvement with the American Kennel Club field trials. As a Board member, he will be a great champion of outdoor recreation for all, MassWildlife's recruitment, retention, and reactivation program for hunters and anglers, and will bring a diversity of perspectives to the agency’s important conservation work,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “We are very happy to have his commitment to land protection, biodiversity, and outdoor recreation for all Massachusetts residents and future generations. I also want to thank outgoing Board member Bob Durand, whose dedication and accomplishments in the field of natural resource protection and sporting interests are well known and greatly appreciated by all in the Massachusetts conservation community.”
Malcolm’s personal passion for retriever sports led him to contribute his leadership, organizational, and mentoring skills to AKC licensed Retriever Field Trials, acting as a volunteer, an Event Judge (8-point), and a competitor in licensed Field Trial Events across the country. In 2021, he founded the non-profit Black Duck Field Trial Retriever Club (Black Duck FTRC), currently the only field trial club based in Massachusetts. The club held its first event in 2022 with the help and support of MassWildlife’s Northeast District Manager Pat Huckery, DCR’s Peter Luongo, and private landowners in Essex County.
“We are very pleased to welcome Malcolm Haith to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board,” said MassWildlife Director Mark S. Tisa. “His lifelong commitment to wildlife conservation and passion for expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for all will be a great asset to the wildlife and people of the Commonwealth.”
In addition to serving as the President of Black Duck FTRC, Haith’s many affiliations include membership in the National Amateur Retriever Club (NARC) and the National Retriever Club (NRC). He is a past member of the Ducks Unlimited Ipswich River Chapter, the Massachusetts Rifle Association, the Minute Man Sportsman’s Club, and the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club. With his Labrador Retrievers, Poncho and Clipper, Haith has qualified for eight National Championships, run in seven (the eighth canceled in 2021 for COVID), and was a Finalist with Poncho in 2022. Malcolm makes his home in Boxford with his wife Barbara of 26 years who is originally from Turners Falls.
Biodiversity Announcement
In Barnstable, the Healey-Driscoll Administration unveiled a 25-year plan to protect and restore nature across Massachusetts. The plan, known as the Biodiversity Conservation Goals for the Commonwealth, is designed to rebuild nature, sustain the health and well-being of residents, improve access to fresh food and enhance the overall quality of life and economy for everyone. Learn more about what the goals entail.