Finding a public access site
Boat ramps, piers, and shore-side fishing areas
With more than 1,500 miles of coastline, Massachusetts offers a variety of places to fish. This FBA Public Access Site Viewer lists boat launches, boat ramps, fishing piers, and shore-side fishing areas in both saltwater and freshwater. The list is maintained by the Office of Fishing & Boating Access (FBA) and includes most sites supported by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).
All anglers should know their public access rights along the shoreline.
Artificial reefs
DMF has developed a number of artificial reefs in MA coastal waters. You can learn more information and view maps of these artificial reef locations.
Fishing charters and head boats
To fish from a boat, DMF permits hundreds of for-hire charter and party boat vessels. An up-to-date directory of for-hire vessels can be found in our Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Guide.
Our projects
The Marine Recreational Fisheries Development Fund boosted efforts to improve public access. The fund is divided into two subcategories, Cooperative Projects and Small Grants. Cooperative projects include construction and maintenance to public access locations. The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sport Fish Restoration Program reimburses all cooperative projects. Small grants allow towns to apply for funds to support their public access projects. All funded projects must allow for access to all saltwater anglers fishing in Massachusetts.