Office of Fishing and Boating Access News and Updates

See when fishing and boating access facilities managed by OFBA are open for season.

Fishing and boating access facility updates are separated into 5 wildlife and habitat management districts throughout Massachusetts. At the top of each section, you will find a map showing which towns and cities are within each of these districts.

Statewide update

No statewide updates at this time.

Western Massachusetts

The most recent updates are at the top of this list.

• Pontoosuc Lake—Hancock Road, Pittsfield
  The boat facility will be closed September 16 through September 19 for paving. Please check back for updates.

Connecticut Valley

The most recent updates are at the top of this list.

• Connecticut River—Main Street, Northfield
  The Turner Falls Dam repairs have been completed and the boat ramp facility is now open!
• Connecticut River (Barton Cove)—Cove View Road, Gill
  Management Measure: The boat ramp will be closed mid-November and reopen mid-May when safety barrels are installed
• Connecticut River—Medina Street, Chicopee
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed seasonally January 1 to May 1. Please note that short-term, temporary closures may occur due to increased river flows.
• Connecticut River—Syrek Street, Chicopee
  The boat ramp facility is open for the season!
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed seasonally mid-November to mid-May. Please note that short-term, temporary closures may occur due to increased river flows.
• Connecticut River (Oxbow)—North Street, Easthampton
  The boat ramp is open for the season!
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed seasonally mid-November to mid-May. Please note that short-term, temporary closures may occur due to increased river flows.
• Connecticut River—School Street, Sunderland
  The boat ramp is open for the season!
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed 10 p.m.–4 a.m. Use of the facility from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. requires a permit from the managing authority.
• Chicopee River—Red Bridge Road, Wilbraham
  The canoe access and overflow parking area (below the dam) are currently closed. The Red Bridge Landing fisherman access (above the dam) is open with 2 cartop and 5 trailer spaces available. No on-street parking is allowed.

Central Massachusetts

The most recent updates are at the top of this list.

• Quaboag Pond—Shore Road, Brookfield
  The ramp is open.
• Lake Quinsigamond—Flint Pond, Shrewsbury
  Flint Pond boat ramp is open!
• Singletary Lake—West Main Street, Millbury
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be open for cartop access only during periods of lake level drawdown, November 1–May 1.

Northeastern Massachusetts

The most recent updates are at the top of this list.

• Beverly Harbor (Salem Willows Pier)—Fort Avenue, Salem
  The fishing pier may be temporarily closed at times from September 8 through September 12 for the adjacent park work. Please contact Salem Department of Community Development with any project or closure questions at [phone].
• Merrimack River (Riley Park)—Rowe Street, Lawrence
  The boat ramp facility is open for the season with the following schedule: Monday–Friday, 12–8 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. The ramp may be closed due to weather or staffing issues without notice.
• Merrimack River—Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell
  The boat ramp is open for the season!
  Management Measure: The public access facility will be closed for public usage November–May. Exact closure dates are determined by the installation and removal of the safety barrier at the Pawtucket Dam.
• Merrimack River—Riverside Drive, Methuen
  The boat ramp is open for the season!
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility is closed November 1–March 31. It will reopen April 5–October 31, 5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily.
• Merrimack River—Wooten Street, Chelmsford
  The Southwell Field boat ramp is open for car-top boat (canoes, kayaks, etc.) use only. Alternative trailered boat access is available at the Pawtucket Boulevard boat ramp in Lowell.
• Walden Pond—Concord Road, Concord
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed December 1–April 1, weather permitting.

Southeastern Massachusetts

The most recent updates are at the top of this list.

• Scituate Harbor—Jericho Road, Scituate
  The boat ramp facility is open! Construction on the facility is now complete.
• Scorton Creek—Inner Beach Lane, Sandwich
  Management Measure: The public access facility will be closed December 1–April 15.
• Cook Pond—Henry, Fall River
  Management Measure: From December 1 to March 31, the boat ramp facility is closed all day Monday–Friday, and Saturday–Sunday from dusk to dawn. The facility is open Saturday–Sunday from dawn to dusk. The facility is open every day April 1–November 30 from dawn until dusk.
• South Watuppa Pond—Jefferson Street Extension, Fall River
  Management Measure: From December 1 to March 31, the boat ramp facility is closed all day Monday–Friday, and Saturday–Sunday from dusk to dawn. The facility is open Saturday–Sunday from dawn to dusk. The facility is open every day April 1–November 30 from dawn until dusk.