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

In accordance with the Baker-Polito Administration's May 17, 2021 announcement, all remaining EEA sector-specific COVID-19 guidance documents were rescinded on May 29, 2021. For additional information about COVID-19 in Massachusetts, please visit the COVID-19 Updates and Information Page.

Updates on FBA facilities

• 2021 Special Use Permits are now available. Apply online or by mail.

• Connecticut River (Oxbow)—North Street, Easthampton
  The boat ramp is open! Temporary closures may still occur if water levels rise.
  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. 

• South Pond—Lake Road, Brookfield
  The boat ramp is open for the season! Due to high water levels, boating is limited to NO wakes.

• Quaboag Pond—Shore Road, Brookfield
  Due to high water levels, boating is limited to NO wakes.

• Singletary Lake—West Main Street, Millbury
  The boat ramp facility will be open starting Friday, July 30, 2021. Temporary closures may still occur if water levels rise.
  Management Measure: The boat ramp facility will be open for cartop access only during periods of lake level drawdown, November 1–May 1.

• Congamond Lake—Point Grove Road, Southwick
  The fishing pier is currently under construction and will be temporarily closed (July 12–August 15) to public use.

• Chicopee River—Red Bridge Road, Wilbraham
  The boat ramp is closed for reconstruction and will reopen mid-August 2021. Any updates will be posted when available. 

• 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.

• 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 1–October 31, 5 a.m.–9 p.m daily.

• Flint Pond—Flint Pond Road, Tynsborough
  Starting in mid-March 2021 through April 2022 the Flint Pond boating access facility will be closed to public use due to the reconstruction of the boat ramp and dam repairs.  Please monitor this website for the re-opening date.

• 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 2020–May 2021. Exact closure dates are determined by the installation and removal of the safety barrier at the Pawtucket Dam. 

• Cochituate Lake—Commonwealth Road, Wayland
  Floats will not be installed at the ramp in 2021. The boat ramp will be closed for reconstruction beginning September 7, 2021. Any updates will be posted when available.

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

• Walden Pond—Concord Road, Concord

• Measurement Measure: The boat ramp facility will be closed December 1–April 1, weather permitting.

• Connecticut River—Syrek Street, Chicopee
  The boat ramp facility is open for the season, due to current low water levels. Temporary closures may still occur if water levels rise. 
  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.

• Cook Pond—Henry, Fall River
  Measurement Measure: From December 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020, 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, 2019 to March 31, 2020, 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.