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. The latest updates are at the top.

• 2023 Special Use Permits are now available! Apply online or by mail.

• Katama Bay—Edgartown Bay Road, Edgartown
  The boat ramp is closed for reconstruction until the end of May 2023. Please monitor this website for the reopening date.

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

• Merrimack River—Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell
  The boat ramp is closed 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—Syrek Street, Chicopee
  The boat ramp facility is closed for the season. 
  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.

• Lake Quinsigamond and Flint Pond—Shrewsbury
  The boat ramp facility will be open for cartop access only during periods of lake level drawdown November 1, 2022–April 1, 2023.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.