🎣 12 curated fishing spots
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Boston Harbor and the string of islands guarding it turn into one of New England's best urban striper fisheries each summer, with piers in South Boston and Winthrop putting shore anglers within casting range of fish moving in and out of the harbor on the tide.
Anyone 16 or older needs a Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit (a flat $10 fee, free for anglers 60 and over), valid also in the marine waters of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maine. Striped bass have a strict slot limit and require non-offset circle hooks when fished with natural bait.
Fishing Spots
The 12 best fishing spots in Boston
All spots are curated and mapped — click any card for the full story, or open the map to explore.
Boston #1
Castle Island, South Boston
A former island, now connected to the mainland, ringed by a public walking path and a pier right off Fort Inde…
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Boston #2
Deer Island Fishing Pier, Winthrop
A public fishing pier opened in 2021 on Deer Island, reaching out toward the flats at the mouth of Boston Harb…
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Boston #3
Peddocks Island, Boston Harbor Islands
One of the Boston Harbor Islands, reached by ferry, with rocky bars and rip lines around it that hold fish fur…
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Boston #4
Nantasket Beach, Hull
A long surf beach on the peninsula guarding the southern side of Boston Harbor, a favourite of surfcasters wor…
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Boston #5
Pond Meadow
A fishing dock on the pond at Pond Meadow Park, a 320-acre park spanning Braintree and Weymouth, MA; anglers h…
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Boston #6
Channing Pond
A pond in Dover, MA where the town's Parks & Recreation department holds an annual youth fishing derby; angler…
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Boston #7
Buckmaster Pond
A kettle pond in Westwood, MA with a small parking area off Pond Street; anglers fish here for largemouth bass…
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Boston #8
Glouster Street Dock
A dock on the Charles River in Boston's Back Bay area, on the ReelSpots map.
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Boston #9
Deerfield Street Dock
A dock on the Charles River near Boston University, off Silber Way, used for riverboat cruises; this stretch o…
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Boston #10
Broad Canal
A roughly 1,000-foot canal in East Cambridge linking the Charles River to Kendall Square, now an urban park wi…
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Boston #11
Storrow Lagoon
A shallow, 3-4-foot-deep manmade lagoon along the Charles River Esplanade next to Storrow Drive; anglers fish …
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Boston #12
Waterfront Walkway
A public walkway along the Charles River where Massachusetts' Waterways law guarantees pedestrian access to th…
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Practical Info
Planning your visit
Best timeEarly May through late October for striped bass, peaking through June; bluefish blitzes are most common in mid-to-late summer.
Getting thereLogan International Airport (BOS) connects to most major hubs worldwide. Castle Island is a short drive or bus ride from downtown; the Boston Harbor Islands need a ferry, and Nantasket Beach is about 45 minutes south by car.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Boston
Do you need a licence to fish in Boston?
Yes, a Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit for anyone 16 or older, cheap and good for the whole season, with reciprocity in neighbouring states' marine waters.
What fish can you catch in Boston?
Striped bass are the main event from May through October, bluefish blitz the same waters in summer, and cod and black sea bass are the classic bottom catch around the harbor islands.
Where are the best fishing spots in Boston?
Castle Island for the easiest shore session, Deer Island Fishing Pier for a spot right at the harbor mouth, and Nantasket Beach for surfcasting the open coast. See the full list of spots below or open the map to explore.
Can you fish in Boston without a boat?
Yes, aside from the Boston Harbor Islands, which need a ferry — every other spot listed is fished from a pier or the shore.
When is the best time to fish in Boston?
Early May through late October for striped bass, with mid-to-late summer best for bluefish blitzes.
Explore Boston on the map
See all 12 fishing spots pinned on an interactive map — and add your own discoveries.
Roadmap
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