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.

Table of Contents

Statewide update

WATER LEVEL ALERT! Waterbodies across the state may have lower than normal water levels due to winter drawdowns. Please use caution while launching watercraft at OFBA facilities and inspect the ramp prior to use.

Western Massachusetts

MassWildlife Western District

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

Check back for updates in this district!

Connecticut Valley

MassWildlife Connecticut Valley District

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!
    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 facility is open for the season!
    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 (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.

  • 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

MassWildlife Central District

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

  • Lake Quinsigamond—N Quinsigamond Rd, Shrewsbury
    The Quinsigamond Rowing Association (QRA) has rowing events on weekends from April 6 to May 25 and the facility may be closed. Please check the QRA schedule.

  • 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

MassWildlife Northeast district

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

  • 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.

  • Lake Attitash—Attitash Avenue, Merrimac
    The boat ramp facility with be closed beginning January 8, 2024 for reconstruction. Please check this page for a reopening date in the spring.

  • 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. 

  • 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 2023–May 2024. 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.

  • Merrimack River (Riley Park)—Rowe Street, Lawrence
    The boat ramp facility is temporarily closed. Please check this page for a re-opening date.

Southeastern Massachusetts

MassWildlife Southeastern District

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

  • Cliff Pond—Nickerson State Park, Nook Road, Brewster
    The boat ramp will reopen on Friday, April 26, 2024!

  • Green Harbor—Joseph Driebeck Way, Marshfield
    The boat ramp will be closed for reconstruction through April 30, 2024. Please check this page for any updates to the ramp closure.

  • 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.

Contact   for Office of Fishing and Boating Access News and Updates

Online

OFBA Staff Directory View 

Address

1 Rabbit Hill Rd., Westborough, MA 01581

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