Boston Harbour has returned to being a prime fishing spot. The waters are clean, the fish have returned, and so have the anglers. Fishing charters are doing well, and fishing from the water and land is booming. 

Boston fishing is about variety. You can fish for striped bass and flounder in the middle of the city, or you can fish among the harbour islands, where the city is barely visible. You can go offshore and pursue trophy tuna, or you can fish for bass or flounder from a shoreside location. Even better, you can venture out and take your kids to fish for trout, largemouth bass, and panfish in the dozens of ponds, lakes, and rivers near Boston. 

Fishing in Boston Harbour

The Boston Harbour area and its outlying islands provide over 150 miles of almost limitless possibilities for nglers.  Striped bass are the major attraction, and every year, large migrations of these large fish arrive here in Boston in pursuit of big schools of smaller fish. Bluefish and cod are also very popular here, and flounder is again abundant here in Boston. Many charter boats specialise in these species, and many use small tackle or fly fishing gear to make for an exciting experience. 
If you fish from your own boat, there are some proven spots like off Deer Island, Hull Gut, The Narrows (between Gallops and Lovell Islands), Kelly Rock, Nash Rock Shoal, and Shag Rocks. Most people prefer to fish during the outgoing tide.

Fishing Offshore

For the more adventurous, offshore fishing offers the ultimate challenge and excitement. A day trip to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary puts you instantly into the big league of fishing. You can hook large tuna in the range of 60 lbs to 250 lbs, as well as big sharks, cod, and haddock. Many charter companies offer full-day trips to those areas and provide the “super-sized” gear and bait needed.

Fishing from Land

You don’t need a boat to land big fish in Boston. Throughout the city, there are great shoreside fishing spots. Many can be found along the scenic Boston Harborwalk, a boardwalk that meanders along the Boston waterfront. Access for wheelchair-bound anglers is excellent, as many of these facilities are fishing piers and are designed according to ADA guidelines.  A popular spot is Castle Island, where a large fishing pier attracts dozens of anglers every day. Many of the Harbour Islands offer excellent shore fishing. On Spectacle Island, visitors can even rent fishing equipment. Fishing from Boston beaches is popular and productive, especially at night. Catching large-size striped bass is not uncommon. 

Freshwater fishing

Freshwater fishing in Boston is popular, and there are over a dozen ponds and lakes right around the city of Boston. Within an hour's drive from Boston, there are over a hundred ponds, lakes, and streams, and many of them are stocked with trout once or twice a season. Besides trout, you will find largemouth bass, pike, chain pickerel, perch, and panfish like bluegill, black crapie, and pumpkinseed.