Local Waters
Mystic Lakes
Medford / Arlington, MA · about 15 min from Somerville (typical, off-peak)
The Medford/Arlington lakes. Public path water when you cannot leave 93.
Salt River / stream Lake / pond Shop (desk) Guide only Parking Stay State access Private — ask first
Around now
Most likely in this drive this week. Not a guarantee — confirm the official rule.
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Smallmouth bass
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Trout
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Sunfish and crappie
Also worth a thought: Largemouth bass, Chain pickerel.
- Season
- Bass, carp, and most warmwater species are open year-round in Massachusetts. Shad have their own rules on the big rivers. Official rule
- License
- Massachusetts freshwater license
- Park
- OFBA Upper and Lower Mystic Lake cartop / ramp pins, Medford. Mystic River Reservation path parking.
- Walk in
- Short walks from the OFBA lots and the DCR path.
- Wading
- Shore fishing. Soft edges. Stay in the reservation.
- Usual window
- Calm mornings. Stocking windows if they put trout in.
- Saturday conditions
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W 5 mph around dawn. Fine to go.
- Sky
- ☀️ 83° fair
- Sun and moon
- Rise 5:58 · 🌔 Waxing gibbous · Set 7:37
- Wind at dawn
- W 5 mph · Sunny · 80°F
- Wind later
-
- dawn: W 5 mph
- 10am: W 5 mph
- 2pm: W 5 mph
- dusk: W 13 mph
- A setup that belongs here
- 5- or 6-wt, bugger, popper, carp fly.
- Notes
- DCR / OFBA. Lower and Upper are both public at the signed lots. Confirm MassWildlife / DMF.
Log this trip
Private. On this phone, and in your test book if you signed in on Journal.
Shops
Guides
Shop desks, plus a few independents who fish public water. We do not take a cut. Call them.
Concord Outfitters — book a day
Concord, MA · wade / shore · Half or full day — ask the shop
Good for: MetroWest rivers and ponds, first local trout day
Shop desk, not a scraped independent. Call them; they put you with someone they trust.