Office of Fishing and Boating Access (FBA)

The Office of Fishing and Boating Access serves the public by providing and maintaining access to over 290 coastal and inland boat and canoe launch and fishing areas across the state.

News and Updates

Updates on FBA facilities

• 2023 Special Use Permits will be available starting October 4, 2022 at 8 a.m.

• 2022 Special Use Permits are now available. Apply online or by mail.

• Merrimack River—Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell
  On October 1 and 2, 2022, the textile regatta will be taking place on the Merrimack River. The boat ramp and river may be busier than usual.

• Taunton River—Elm Street, Berkley
  The canoe access will be closed for construction starting October 3, 2022 for approximately 2 weeks. Check back for reopening.

• Goose Pond—Ridge Street, Tyringham
  The float construction will begin on October 1, 2022 and continue through mid-October. Ramp access may be limited at times during construction.

• Pontoosuc Lake—Hancock Road, Pittsfield
  The boat ramp facility will be closed mid-October to mid-November for float reconstruction.

• Long Pond—Barre Paxton Rd, Rutland
  The boat ramp will be open beginning September 16, 2022.

• Connecticut River (Oxbow)—North Street, Easthampton
  The boat ramp is open as of March 31, 2022.
  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. 

• Merrimack River—Riverside Drive, Methuen
  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.

• Merrimack River—Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell
  The boat ramp is open for the season!
  Management Measure: The public access facility will be closed for public usage November 2022–May 2023. Exact closure dates are determined by the installation and removal of the safety barrier at the Pawtucket Dam. 

• Connecticut River (Barton Cove)—Cove View Road, Gill
  The boat ramp is open for the season.
  Management Measure: The boat ramp will be closed mid-November and reopen mid-May when safety barrels are installed.

• 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.

• Connecticut River—Syrek Street, Chicopee
  The boat ramp facility is open as of April 14, 2022. 
  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.

• Scorton Creek—Inner Beach Lane, Sandwich
  Management Measure: The public access facility will be closed December 1–April 15.

• Walden Pond—Concord Road, Concord
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed December 1–April 1, weather permitting.

• 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.

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