Catch-and-release areas of Massachusetts

Catch-and-release areas

There are 8 areas in the state that are designated as catch-and-release areas. When fishing in these areas, only artificial lures may be used and  you may not have any bait in your possession.

1. Housatonic River
Special regulations: no fishing from June 15–Aug. 31 within 100 feet of mouths of Beartown Brook, Goose Pond Brook, Hop Brook, and Mohawk Brook.

• Housatonic River upper section map
  Route 20 bridge in Lee downstream to Willow Mill Dam
• Housatonic River lower section map
  Glendale Dam downstream to the railroad bridge in Great Barrington.

2. Westfield River, East Branch

• Westfield River map
  Chesterfield Gorge parking lot in Chesterfield to the gate north of the Corps of Engineers parking lot at Knightville in Huntington

3. Deerfield River

• Deerfield River upper section map
  Fife Brook Dam to Hoosac Tunnel
• Deerfield River lower section map
  Pelham Brook to the Mohawk Campground

4. Swift River
Special regulations: Fly fishing only from Winsor Dam to Rte. 9. Rte.9 to Cady Lane, catch-and-release/artificial lures only from July 1-Dec 31, fish harvest and bait allowed Jan.1-June 30

• Swift River map
  Winsor Dam to Cady Lane

5. Millers River

• Millers River upper section map
  Templeton/Athol railroad bridge to the first dam in Athol
• Millers River lower section map
  From Wendell Road bridge in Orange to the breached dam in Erving center

6. Nissitissit River
Special regulations: Fly fishing only

• Nissitissit River map
  New Hampshire border to the Prescott Street Bridge

7. Red Brook

• Red Brook map
  Outlet of White Island Pond to the inlet of Buttermilk Bay

8. Quashnet River

• Quashnet River map
  Catch-and-release sections: from the outlet of John’s Pond to the sign 0.1 mile below Route 28

Please visit mass wildlife for more info and regulations