Artificial Lure here with your Charles River fishing report for Saturday, May 31st, 2025!

We’re looking at a picture-perfect late spring weekend on the Charles, so grab your rods and get after it. Sunrise hit early today at 5:10 AM, with sunset tonight at 8:14 PM—plenty of daylight for a full session on the river. Tidal swings are healthy: the morning high peaked just before 3 AM, with a solid low at 9:22 AM, followed by another high around 3:40 PM. Those changing tides should push baitfish and keep predators on the move, especially near river mouths and bridge pilings. Tidal data sourced from Tide-Forecast.com and TideTime.org.

Weather’s classic New England spring—cool this morning, warming fast, with clear skies settling in and minimal wind, so both boaters and bank anglers will have calm conditions.

The fishing? It’s been on fire since water temps climbed up. River herring runs are still drawing in predators, especially stripers following the bait schools through the system. According to the Charles River Fishing Report podcast, stripers—our “stripahs”—have started stacking up in the lower river and around the Museum of Science locks, with both schoolies and some keepers up to 30 inches showing on live herring, soft plastics, and topwater plugs early and late in the day. Stripers are chasing herring and topwater action has really picked up; spooks, pencil poppers, and white paddle tails have been the ticket at dawn and dusk.

On the freshwater side, largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting hard as their post-spawn feed continues. Best results have come on suspending jerkbaits, chatterbaits near weedlines, and soft plastics around structure. Crappie, yellow perch, and even a few chunky channel catfish have been reported by local regulars, especially upriver near Watertown and Allston—these fish are biting best on minnows, fathead jigs, and nightcrawlers under floats. The Thomas Buoyant spoon, in sunrise pattern, has been a killer for the big rainbows that were stocked this spring; try casting these in the morning along the Esplanade and up near Magazine Beach.

For bait, nothing beats live herring for the stripers if you can get them, but chunk mackerel, clams, and even Gulp! baits have produced solid numbers. Bass anglers are doing well on wacky-rigged Senkos, black and blue jigs, and swimbaits. For panfish, small shiners and wax worms are drawing steady action.

Hot spots to target:
- The Museum of Science locks down to the Longfellow Bridge for stripers on a moving tide
- The Allston-Brighton stretch at the boat launch for bass and panfish
- Magazine Beach for rainbows and mixed species

That’s your Charles River fishing report for today. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the bite. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Artificial Lure here with your latest Charles River fishing report for Friday, May 30th, 2025. Here’s the fresh scoop from the water.

Sunrise hit at 5:10 AM this morning and we’ve got daylight until sunset at 8:13 PM, giving you a long stretch of prime casting hours. Expect mild late-spring weather with temps in the mid-60s and a mix of clouds and sun—comfortable for both the early risers and those sneaking in a post-work session.

Today’s tides for Charlestown, right at the mouth of the Charles, are looking promising for anglers chasing both river and harbor species. We’ve got a high tide rolling in at 1:58 AM and again at 2:45 PM, with lows at 8:28 AM and 8:38 PM. If you’re fishing around the locks or near the Museum of Science, plan to fish the hour leading into and after these changing tides—that’s when the action really fires up.

As for the fish, the Charles is on a heater this week. Striped bass are the main event right now, chasing herring up into the river and feeding aggressively. According to Spreaker’s daily report, there’s been consistent striper action with a good number of slot-size fish (28-35 inches) and even a few over-30-inch bruisers landed all the way from the Longfellow Bridge up to the Harvard area. The herring run is at its peak and the stripers are keyed in, which means you should be, too.

If it’s largemouth bass you’re after, the bite is heating up in the shallows. Locals have been catching multiple 2- to 3-pounders, especially near the lagoons along Storrow Drive and the Esplanade footbridges. Crappie are also making a solid showing, and there’s been buzz about big carp cruising the backwaters—plenty of options if you’re looking for variety.

Best baits this week: soft plastics like Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish and natural color swimbaits are top choices for stripers. Trolling tube-and-worm rigs or Mojo Rigs is especially effective close to the locks and deeper bends. For those fishing bait, live or cut mackerel is a proven winner in the lower river, but don’t overlook fresh or chunked herring if you can score some. For bass, wacky-rigged worms and small jigs are pulling in fish, while crappie are hitting little paddletail plastics or live minnows.

For hot spots, don’t miss the stretch by the Longfellow Bridge and the Museum of Science, plus the Esplanade lagoons. The Harvard boathouse area is another solid bet, especially around midday high tide.

That’s all for today, folks! Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe for your daily reports and up-to-date tips from yours truly, Artificial Lure. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

Good morning from the banks of the Charles River, this is Artificial Lure with your Wednesday, May 28, 2025, fishing report. We are deep into spring action, and the river is alive with activity. The weather at dawn is a comfortable low 60s, with a light breeze and some clouds lingering, making for pleasant conditions. Sunrise hit just after 5:15 am and we will see sunset at around 8:10 pm, so there is plenty of time to get lines in the water from first light to dusk.

Today’s tide is on the rise through the early morning, swinging back just before noon. This tidal push should keep the fish active, especially in the lower stretches of the Charles closer to the harbor and the locks. The river herring run remains strong, and that means striped bass are not far behind. Hungry stripers are following bait upriver and into the embayments, with action especially hot where herring are thick. There are also reports of American shad cruising out by Constitution Marina, a testament to the ongoing restoration efforts in these waters[1][4][5].

As for what’s biting, stripers are the main draw and they are here in force. In the last week, shore anglers and boaters have been reporting a steady bite, with most fish in the 22 to 32 inch range, and a few topping that mark. The best action has been early and late in the day—prime time for walk-the-dog topwater plugs or a well-presented soft plastic. Along the lower Charles, from the Museum of Science downstream to the Longfellow Bridge and out toward the locks, both schoolies and slot stripers have been landed.

Tube-and-worm rigs and larger soft plastics are producing well, especially with all the herring around. If you are looking for bait, live or chunked mackerel has also been drawing strikes. The herring pattern is the ticket, so lures imitating river herring or silvery baitfish will give you the edge. Flounder fishing remains a solid Plan B, with best results closer to the mouth and around Boston Harbor[1][3].

If you are looking for a couple of hot spots, try the stretch below the Longfellow Bridge near the Museum of Science—always a magnet for bait and bass this time of year. Another top pick is the mouth of the Charles near the locks, especially around the tide swings. Keep an eye on Constitution Marina as well; with shad and bass moving through, it has real big-fish potential right now[1][4][5].

That’s the latest from the Charles River. Tight lines and see you on the water.

Artificial Lure here with your Monday, May 26th, 2025 Charles River fishing report, straight from the banks and boats of Boston.

The Charles is buzzing with late spring energy as we head into the final week of May. At dawn, air temps are hovering in the low 60s, with a light breeze and some scattered cloud cover keeping things comfortable. Sunrise was just past 5:15 am and sunset is set for about 8:10 pm, offering a long window to get after it on the water. Today’s tide is rising through the morning and will flip around mid-day, so expect fish activity to pick up, especially in the tidal stretches near the Museum of Science, Longfellow Bridge, and mouth around the locks. These spots always draw a crowd when the spring runs are strong and this year is no different.

Bass are the big story right now, with schoolies and slot-sized stripers pushing upriver in hot pursuit of thick herring schools. Shore and boat anglers alike have been hooking into steady action the past few days, with plenty of fish in the 22 to 32 inch range and a few solid keepers in the mix. Even better, some sharp-eyed anglers near Constitution Marina have spotted American shad pushing through, a rare but welcome sign that restoration efforts are working. Black bass and panfish are also biting well higher upriver, especially where weed beds are shaping up nicely.

Best baits and lures right now are anything that imitates herring or small baitfish. Soft plastics like Al Gag’s Whip-it Fish in white or silver, paddle tails, and classic swimbaits are getting crushed, especially at first light or as the sun drops in the evening. If you’re trolling, a tube-and-worm is a sure bet, and topwater plugs can trigger aggressive strikes when the water’s lively. For those targeting largemouth and panfish above Watertown Dam, spinnerbaits, jigs, and live nightcrawlers are getting the job done.

Hot spots to try today include the stretch from the Longfellow Bridge to Science Park for stripers at the change of tide, and the locks at the mouth if you’re chasing bigger bass. For a quieter scene, head upriver toward Magazine Beach or the Cambridge esplanade, where herring schools tend to stack up and draw in both bass and shad. Early morning and late evening are hands-down the most productive windows, but the action’s been good throughout the day with these mild temps and overcast skies.

That wraps today’s report. Tight lines and good luck out there on the Charles.

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for May 25, 2025, covering the Charles River and Boston Harbor.

The bite has been absolutely fantastic this past week! Striped bass have moved into Massachusetts Bay with a vengeance, and they're making their presence known in the Charles River. The herring runs are in full swing, creating some explosive fishing opportunities as stripers ambush the fallback herring in the river current.

Weather-wise, we've finally got calm conditions after several days of churned-up seas that kept most boats at port. Today's looking perfect for getting out on the water with temperatures expected to be comfortable for late May.

Let me tell you what's been hitting: In the Charles River itself, anglers have been scoring nice stripers, especially around the herring runs. What's interesting is that some folks have spotted what appear to be American shad swimming around Constitution Marina - possibly the result of restoration efforts for the Charles River shad population.

Not just stripers though - largemouth bass and panfish are active in the freshwater sections of the Charles, and flounder fishing remains a solid option throughout Boston Harbor, particularly in the shallows.

For those targeting stripers, mackerel have been plentiful around deeper offshore spots like Graves Light, and bringing those live baits into harbor areas has been producing 30-inch-plus stripers. Tube-and-worm rigs have been particularly effective while trolling inshore.

Hot spots for today: The intersection of the Charles River with Boston Harbor has been fire, especially during tidal changes. Castle Island to the Reserve Channel has produced slot-sized stripers for trollers working umbrella and Mojo rigs. The Weir River, World's End, Weymouth Back River, and Hingham Harbor are all producing quality fish.

If you're shore-bound, Nut Island Pier and Pemberton Pier have seen good squid action, which brings in the predators.

For lures, your best bets right now are swimming plugs that imitate herring or mackerel in the 5-7 inch range. Soft plastics in white or chartreuse have been getting strikes during falling tides. For bait fishermen, fresh mackerel chunks or live pogies are your ticket to the bigger fish.

Don't forget to check your tides today - the falling tide in the afternoon should flush more of those herring downstream, creating prime feeding opportunities for stripers.

Sunrise was at 5:12 AM and sunset will be at 8:09 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to work with.

That's it for today's report. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water!

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Saturday Charles River fishing report for May 24 2025

The sun rose at 520 AM this morning and will set tonight at 812 PM giving us a long day of prime angling hours Temperatures are running in the mid to upper 60s with some cloud cover and a light breeze making it a comfortable day to be out on the water Tidal action is always a factor for the lower Charles River near the locks and the Boston Harbor area so plan your outings around changing tides for the best bite

Striped bass are the talk of the river right now There are strong reports of stripers chasing herring up into the Charles and nearby harbor with plenty of active fish moving in schools Sizes have been solid with multiple catches in the slot range and even some pushing above 30 inches The action has been consistent throughout the past week with slot and over-slot stripers showing up around the Longfellow Bridge Museum of Science and up toward the Harvard area The herring run is peaking and the stripers are right on their tails making these spots real hot

On the lure side soft plastics like Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish and swimbaits in natural colors are producing well For those trolling tube-and-worm rigs or Mojo Rigs are popular and productive right now especially closer to the locks and around deeper bends near the Esplanade Live or cut mackerel is a top bait in the lower river but don’t overlook chunk herring if you can get some

Pan fishermen are finding action with largemouth bass and panfish Look for bass along the weed beds between Magazine Beach and the BU Bridge Early mornings and evenings are best for topwater plugs and buzzbaits Try a wacky-rigged Senko if the bite slows down Trout are still being reported in numbers in the Medway and Millis stretch and Copper Super Dupers are doing damage on those who give it a shot

Flounder are making a solid showing in the harbor as well as the lower Charles around the mouth For these try sandworms or clams drifted near the bottom

For hot spots today hit the stretch between the Museum of Science and Longfellow Bridge or the basin at Magazine Beach for stripers For largemouths and panfish target backwater coves near Herter Park

To sum up the Charles is really alive today with striper action hot and bass and panfish willing Tube-and-worm Mojo Rigs soft plastics and live or cut bait are all good bets Flounder are a solid backup if the bass bite slows

Tight lines and good luck out there

Good morning from the Charles River, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh-off-the-water fishing report for Friday, May 23rd, 2025.

We’re rolling into prime spring action on the Charles, and the river is full of life. The air is sitting in the low 60s at dawn with a light breeze and scattered clouds making for pleasant fishing conditions. Sunrise came just after 5:15 am and sunset is expected around 8:10 pm, so there’s plenty of daylight to hit the water from early morning well into the evening.

The tide is rising this morning and will turn around mid-morning, which should keep the fish active, especially in the lower river stretches closer to the harbor. Stripers are the main attraction right now. The herring run remains strong, and hungry bass are in tow, pushing upriver and into embayments where bait is thick. There have even been some reports of American shad out by Constitution Marina, a nice surprise and a sign of successful restoration efforts[1][4].

In terms of recent catches, shore anglers and boaters alike are reporting stripers, many in the 22 to 32 inch range, with some bigger fish mixed in. The bite has been consistent, with solid action both at sunrise and again near dusk. Out in the lower Charles near the Museum of Science and the Longfellow Bridge, and at the mouth around the locks, folks are connecting with schoolies and the occasional slot fish.

For gear, the tube-and-worm trolled slow along current breaks, and soft plastics like Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish, are landing plenty of stripers. Mackerel-pattern swimmers and shad-imitating lures are also working, especially around dusk[1][3]. If you prefer bait, fresh chunks of river herring (where legal) or live mackerel are getting hit hard. For those targeting panfish or trout in the upper Charles, small spinners and copper Super Dupers are your best bet[3].

A couple of local hot spots to check out: the area near the Museum of Science where the river meets the locks, as well as along the Esplanade docks, and the lower stretches by Magazine Beach. These spots are holding fish and see plenty of bait moving through.

If you’re out today, keep an eye on the tide and don’t be afraid to move. The bite is hot and the fish are moving with the herring. Whether by boat or from shore, there’s a good chance to tie into something solid.

Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the river.

Artificial Lure here with your Charles River fishing report for Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The bite is on, the river’s alive, and anglers are cashing in on Boston’s spring bounty.

Let’s start with the weather. We kicked off the day with temperatures nudging into the low 60s and mostly clear skies. Winds are light, making for prime casting conditions and easy drifts. Sunrise hit at 5:16 AM, sunset’s due for 8:06 PM, giving you a solid window to chase fish before and after work. No major fronts are pushing through, so expect consistent activity all day.

The Charles is buzzing with life. Herring are still making their way upstream, and where you find herring, you’ll find stripers hot on their tails. The Massachusetts herring runs are strong this season, and the Charles is one of the region’s top spots right now[4][1]. Stripers are being caught in good numbers. Folks are reporting steady action on schoolies with a few slot-size fish in the mix—mostly 24 to 32 inches, with the occasional bigger bass showing up, especially near the herring runs[1][3].

Target stripers early and late in the day for your best shot. The stretch below the Museum of Science and the area around the Longfellow Bridge are both hot right now. Another productive hole is by the BU Bridge—those deeper bends are holding fish as the herring stack up.

Lure selection: if you’re a plug-thrower, now’s the time for classic topwaters at dawn and dusk—walk-the-dog spooks and pencil poppers are drawing big blows. Swimbaits, soft plastics, and shad-pattern jerkbaits are also deadly, matching the herring running through. If you prefer bait, chunk mackerel and fresh herring are top choices.

Don’t sleep on the bass and panfish bite, either. The Charles is giving up some chunky largemouth and feisty panfish, especially in coves and weedy pockets upriver from the city[5]. Copper Super Dupers and small spinners have worked for trout further upriver around Millis and Medway[2].

Recent catches include stripers up to and over 30 inches, lots of lively schoolies, carp in the deeper pools, and a healthy mix of largemouth, crappie, and the odd catfish for the night crew[5].

Top Charles River hot spots today:
• Below the Museum of Science—stripers and herring moving through
• Longfellow Bridge—active striper zone
• BU Bridge—deeper water, consistent action
• Watertown Dam—carp, panfish, and the occasional big bass[4][5]

With the herring festival just wrapped up in Watertown, expect plenty of life throughout the river corridor right now[4].

Tides are less of a factor inside the Charles compared to the harbor, but if you’re fishing near the locks or outflows, moving water around the tide change never hurts.

Get out there, stay respectful of the river, and tight lines. This is Artificial Lure, signing off—see you on the water.

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the latest from the Charles River on this Monday morning, May 19, 2025. The river’s alive right now, with the spring migration in full swing, water warming, and fish on the move.

First, let’s talk conditions. The sunrise today was at 5:19 am and sunset’s set for 8:03 pm, giving you a long stretch of daylight on the water. Weather is classic Boston spring: calm, temps in the low 60s early, pushing up into the 70s by midday, with a light southwest breeze. Skies are partly cloudy, perfect for keeping the fish active without roasting us.

Now for the tides: the lower Charles doesn’t get as much saltwater flow as Boston Harbor, but the outflow into the harbor means fish are most active around the morning and evening changes—think a couple hours after sunrise and leading up to sunset. High tide today is around 9 am, with a slow drop through the afternoon.

What’s biting? This week, striper action has been heating up in the river. Schoolies up to mid-20-inch range are common, but there are reports—especially around the Museum of Science and the upstream dams—of much bigger fish cruising in after herring and shad. The migration is strong, and anglers tossing paddletails and topwater plugs have been surprised by the occasional 30-plus-incher[4][3][1]. If you’re after bass, focus on dawn and dusk for the big ones.

American shad are starting to show, too—biologists’ restoration efforts are clearly paying off, with more shad reported near the locks and in quiet, deeper pools[1]. Trout fishing is still productive in the upper, more suburban stretches near Watertown—Copper Super Dupers and small spinners have been hot for browns and rainbows lately[2].

Lures and bait: For stripers, soft plastics and small swimbaits imitating herring or shad are money right now. Try 4- to 6-inch paddletails in white or natural colors, or topwater walkers and poppers early or late. Tube-and-worm rigs trolled slow also keep producing bigger fish, especially near bridges and deeper bends[1][2]. For trout, stick with small spoons or worms. If you want to land a shad, small flutter spoons or darts work best in the evening light.

Hot spots today include the stretch from the Museum of Science down to the Longfellow Bridge—prime striper territory around dusk and dawn—and the Magazine Beach basin in Cambridge, where herring gather and predators follow. Upstream near Watertown Dam is still your best bet if you’re hoping for mixed bag action or a bonus shad.

Fishing’s only going to improve as weather warms and herring keep running. Stay safe, respect the resource, and tight lines from Artificial Lure.

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Sunday morning fishing report for May 18, 2025, covering the Charles River and Boston Harbor.

Folks, we've got ourselves a perfect day to be out on the water. The stripers are absolutely on fire right now throughout the Boston area! They're following the herring runs, which are among the best we've seen in years. The Charles is teeming with activity, especially in the early morning hours.

Water temps have pushed past 50 degrees, and that's kicked everything into high gear. Over the past few days, anglers have been reporting consistent striper action in the Charles, with bass up to 38 inches being caught. These fish aren't just in the Charles - they're spilling into nearby embayments too.

If you're heading out today, you'll want to hit the water early. Sunrise was at 5:21 AM, and these bass have been most active in that first light. Sunset will be at 8:04 PM, giving you plenty of time on the water. Tides are favorable with high tide around 11:30 AM - perfect timing for a mid-day push.

As for what's working - Henderson spooks and Al Gag's Whip-it-Fish have been producing consistently for stripers. If you're trolling, tube-and-worm rigs are your best bet, especially if you're venturing into the harbor areas. For the freshwater sections of the Charles, Copper Super Dupers have been working well for trout, particularly in the Millis/Medway section.

Don't sleep on the flounder bite either! Now that we're well into May, the blackback bite has really come into its own. Between striper runs, many locals are filling their coolers with these tasty flatfish.

Hot spots for today: Focus on the river herring runs - the mouth of the Charles is prime right now. For shore anglers, try Pemberton Pier and Nut Island Pier. If you're in a boat, check out World's End, Bumpkin Island, and the areas near Dorchester Bay. For the freshwater enthusiasts, the upper Charles is producing good numbers of largemouth bass and panfish.

For those looking beyond stripers, don't forget there's a solid mixed bag of groundfish aggregating along the North Shore 180' contour line. Something to consider if you want to venture a bit further out.

The forecast calls for light winds and partly cloudy skies - perfect fishing weather! So grab your gear, pack a lunch, and I'll see you on the water. This is Artificial Lure, signing off until tomorrow. Tight lines, everyone!