Local Waters
West Branch North River (Crowningshield)
Heath, MA · about 30 min from Greenfield (typical, off-peak)
The Heath wild-brook mile Trout Unlimited and FLT conserved — named land-trust trailhead, not a farm hop.
Salt River / stream Lake / pond Shop (desk) Guide only Parking Stay State access Private — ask first
- 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.
- Thursday conditions
-
Wind ? mph.
- Sky
- 🌧️ 76° rain
- Sun and moon
- Rise 6:09 · 🌕 Full moon · Set 7:36
- Wind at dawn
- 0 mph · Mostly Sunny · 62°F
- Wind later
-
- dawn: 0 mph
- 10am: S 5 mph
- 2pm: S 10 mph
- dusk: S 10 mph
- 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.
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.