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Enroll now in a free fishing class. All levels of experience welcome!
You need a license to fish in freshwater if you are 15 or older. Licenses are free for those 15-17 and over 70. Fees from license sales support statewide conservation efforts, habitat restoration, research, fish stocking, and public access.
Massachusetts has many beautiful ponds, rivers, streams, and lakes where you can fish. Click here for a map of waterbodies near you and learn about which types of fish you can catch. Find boat ramps, trout stocked waters, and accessible piers.
If you’re a first-time angler, you don’t need lots of fancy equipment. Pick up a push-button spin casting setup and some hooks and bobbers. Try garden worms, mealworms, or small pieces of cheese or chicken for bait.
If you're 15 or older, you need a license to fish in freshwater in Massachusetts.
Learn to fish on your own or improve your existing skills with these how-to resources designed for both beginners and more advanced anglers.
Before you drop a line in a pond or river, make sure you know the rules. Fishing season and catch limits keep fish populations healthy and provide a variety of fishing opportunities to anglers.
Wondering how to get started? Click for answers to some basic freshwater fishing questions.
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