News  Trout stocking begins in March

Get ready, anglers—trout stocking season is just around the corner! This spring, MassWildlife will stock hundreds of thousands of beautiful brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout into 458 lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 264 Massachusetts cities and towns. Stocking in set to begin the second week of March in the southeast; other regions of the state will begin as soon as weather conditions allow. Visit Mass.gov/trout to get daily stocking updates and find a fishing spot near you.

MassWildlife raises trout that are both fun to catch and delicious to eat at its five hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, now is the perfect time to grab your gear and license, find a stocked waterbody near you, and experience the thrill of reeling in a fresh catch.

This year’s fish are bigger and better than ever. While the quantity of stocked trout (measured in total pounds) has remained about the same for the last decade, MassWildlife has been steadily producing larger trout by adjusting hatchery growing techniques. Just ten years ago, less than 60% of stocked trout were over 12 inches—now, over 80% measure over a foot!

Don't forget your 2025 freshwater fishing license—buy online at MassFishHunt or by visiting a license vendor location.