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

Water level alert! Boating facilities may require short term, temporary closures by the managing authority due to increased river flows this spring.

Western Massachusetts

• Stockbridge Bowl—Interlaken Road, Stockbridge
  The facility is closed for reconstruction and improvements until the end of May. Please check back for updates.

Connecticut Valley

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

• Connecticut River—Syrek Street, Chicopee
  The boat ramp facility is open for the season as of April 15, 2026. Please note that short term, temporary closures by the managing authority may occur due to increased river flows.
  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 as of March 30, 2026. Please note that short term, temporary closures by the managing authority may occur due to increased river flows.
  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.
• Connecticut River (Oxbow)—North Street, Easthampton
  The boat ramp is open for the season as of March 30, 2026. Please note that short term, temporary closures by the managing authority may occur due to increased river flows.
  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—Medina Street, Chicopee
  The boat ramp is open for the season as of March 30, 2026.
  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 (Barton Cove)—Cove View Road, Gill
  The boat ramp is closed for the season.
  Management Measure: The boat ramp will be closed mid-November and reopen mid-May when safety barrels are installed
• 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.

• Lake Quinsigamond—North Quinsigamond Avenue, Shrewsbury
  The Quinsigamond Rowing Association (QRA) has rowing events on weekends from March 28 to May 23 and the facility may be closed. Please check the QRA schedule for specific dates.
• 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.

• Merrimack River—Riverside Drive, Methuen
  The boat ramp is open for the season as of April 8, 2026.
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility is closed November 1–March 31. It will reopen April 1–October 31, 5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily.
• Beverly Harbor (Salem Willows Pier)—Fort Avenue, Salem
  The fishing pier may be temporarily closed at times April 13–April 22 for adjacent park work. Please contact Salem Department of Community Development with any project or closure questions at [phone].
• Merrimack River—Wooten Street, Chelmsford
  The Southwell Field boat ramp is closed for reconstruction until the end of June. Please check back for updates.
• Merrimack River (Riley Park)—Rowe Street, Lawrence
  The boat ramp facility is closed for the season.
• Merrimack River—Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell
  The boat ramp is closed 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.
• 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.

• Mashpee Wakeby Pond—Main Street, Mashpee
  The facility is closed for paving reconstruction and improvements until the end of May. Please check back for updates.
• 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.