West Branch North River (Crowningshield)

The Heath wild-brook mile Trout Unlimited and FLT conserved — named land-trust trailhead, not a farm hop.

Season

General-law trout streams are in the main season. Bag limits change after Sep 10. MassWildlife is the source of truth. Official rule

License

Massachusetts freshwater license

Park

Franklin Land Trust Crowningshield Conservation Area trailheads on the south side of West Branch Road, Heath (signed pull-off about 0.7 mile southeast of the old barn, plus roadside parking at the barn ~300 feet southeast of Al Stetson Road). DFG holds a conservation restriction. Not a MassWildlife WMA lot.

Walk in

Steep half-mile hike from the West Branch Road trailhead down to the river.

Wading

Small remote brook. Do not go alone. Stay on FLT land.

Usual window

Spring and fall. Confirm MassWildlife / DMF.

Saturday conditions

N 7 mph around dawn. Fine to go.

Sky

🌧️ 72° rain

Sun and moon

Rise 6:04 · 🌔 Waxing gibbous · Set 7:44

Wind at dawn

N 7 mph · Slight Chance Rain Showers · 64°F

Wind later

• dawn: N 7 mph
• 10am: NE 9 mph
• 2pm: NE 9 mph
• dusk: NE 6 mph

Flow

34 cfs · in a wadable band · 1.44 ft · 5:30 pm · North River at Shattuckville · USGS gauge · wadable band is a sketch, not a safety rating

A setup that belongs here

2- or 3-wt, small dries.

Notes

Franklin Land Trust plus DFG conservation restriction. Native brook trout. Neighboring Coe APR and private farms are not this pin. Confirm MassWildlife / DMF.

Steep hike. Park at the signed FLT pull-off only. Do not block the barn or farm drives.