Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Saturday morning fishing report for May 17, 2025, covering the Charles River and surrounding Boston waters.

It's shaping up to be a fantastic weekend on the water, folks! The striper migration is in full swing now, with bass following those herring runs into our river systems with a vengeance. Water temps have continued to climb nicely since early May, making for aggressive feeding patterns across multiple species.

The river herring runs throughout Mass Bay are providing some of the most consistent striper action we've seen in years. Our beloved Charles River has been particularly hot this past week, with stripers up to 30 inches being caught regularly. The alewife schools moving through the system are drawing in both resident holdovers and fresh migrating fish.

Flounder fishing has also improved dramatically since my last report. Boston Harbor, especially around Bumpkin Island, Sheep Island, and the area in front of Quincy Yacht Club, has been producing some nice catches. Shore anglers are finding success at Hull Public Pier, Pemberton Pier and Nut Island Pier.

For those targeting largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Charles, they're still hammering Thomas Buoyants at sunrise. Copper Super Dupers have been particularly effective in the Millis/Medway section of the river.

Hot spots for today: Focus on the confluence points where smaller tributaries meet the main Charles - predators are stacking up at these junctions. World's End and the areas near Weymouth Back River are also producing well for boat anglers. Shore anglers should try the Nut Island Pier or the stretch between Nut Island and Wollaston Beach.

Lure selection: For stripers, Al Gag's Whip-it-Fish and Henderson spooks are getting it done. If you're trolling, the tube-and-worm rig is your best bet in the harbor areas. For trout, those Copper Super Dupers and Thomas Buoyants in sunrise pattern continue to produce.

Tidal movement is moderate today with high tide at 10:23 AM. We're looking at partly cloudy skies with temps reaching the mid-60s - perfect fishing weather! Sunrise was at 5:17 AM and sunset will be at 8:03 PM, giving you plenty of daylight hours on the water.

Remember to check your regs before heading out, and as always, practice catch and release when appropriate to keep our fishery healthy. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines, everyone!

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Friday morning fishing update for the Charles River and Boston waters.

It's shaping up to be a terrific mid-May weekend on the Charles! The alewife runs are in full swing now, and they're bringing in all sorts of predatory fish. The striped bass action has really heated up since my last report, with more fish moving into Mass Bay with a vengeance according to what I'm hearing from the boats.

Water temperatures have continued to climb nicely, putting both our resident largemouth and smallmouth bass into aggressive feeding patterns. If you're hitting the Charles today, you'll want to focus on the Millis/Medway section where anglers have been hammering trout using Copper Super Dupers. Those Charles River rainbows have been absolutely crushing them, especially during the early morning hours.

For the striper hunters, they're following those herring schools in all our local rivers, with plenty of spillover into nearby embayments. Follow the bait and you'll find the fish! The reports I'm getting show bass up to 38 inches are blasting herring, particularly in areas where the sun hits those river flats.

Shore anglers should check out the Hull Public Pier, Pemberton Pier, and Nut Island Pier where blackback flounder fishing has really come into its own now that water temps have pushed past the 50-degree mark. For boat anglers, try both inner and outer Bumpkin Shoals, Sheep Island, the area in front of the Quincy Yacht Club, and between Nut Island Pier and Wollaston Beach.

If you're looking for hot lures, Henderson spooks and Al Gag's Whip-it-Fish have been producing consistently for bass. For those preferring to troll, the old reliable tube-and-worm rig is working great around World's End, Bumpkin Island, and Dorchester Bay.

On the freshwater side, the Charles is also giving up some nice catfish, carp, and crappie. Don't sleep on Jamaica Pond or Chestnut Hill Reservoir either if you're looking for a change of scenery.

Best times to fish today will be early morning right after sunrise, which should be around 5:15 AM, with another good window in the evening before sunset at about 8:05 PM.

Remember folks, with so many options between stripers, flounder, bass, and trout all hitting right now, the hardest part is just deciding what to fish for! This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water.

Good morning, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Charles River fishing report for Wednesday, May 14th, 2025.

Folks, we're hitting that sweet spot of spring fishing right now. Water temps have climbed nicely since last month, and the action is really heating up across our waterways.

The big news continues to be those alewife runs. They're drawing in predators throughout the Charles River system, creating some fantastic opportunities. Striped bass are following these herring schools aggressively, with fresh migrators joining our resident holdovers daily. I've heard reports of bass up to 38 inches being caught where these baitfish congregate.

For you striper hunters, focus on areas near river mouths and nearby embayments. The Weir River, Weymouth Fore, Weymouth Back, and Neponset have all been producing. If you're boat fishing, try trolling tube-and-worm rigs around World's End, Bumpkin Island, and Dorchester Bay.

Shore anglers, don't despair! Hull Public Pier, Pemberton Pier, and Nut Island Pier have all been giving up some quality fish. With water temps now above 50 degrees, the blackback flounder bite has really come into its own. Prime spots include Deer Island Flats, the backside of Long Island, Rainsford Island, and Perry and Portuguese Coves. Stick to sun-warmed shallow water under 10 feet deep for best results.

Our resident freshwater species are in full spring mode. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have shifted into more aggressive feeding patterns. For trout enthusiasts, the Millis/Medway section of the Charles has been yielding nice catches to anglers throwing Copper Super Dupers. Those Charles River rainbows have been absolutely hammering Thomas Buoyants at sunrise, especially in that sunrise color pattern that's been working so well.

Hot spots this week: Check out the Hormel Stadium section of the Mystic River for big largemouth feeding on herring, or try 7 Acre Park on the Malden River. For stripers, the confluence of the Charles and the harbor has been particularly productive during tidal changes.

Lure selection: Matching the herring has been key. Try Henderson spooks or Al Gag's Whip-it-Fish for surface action. Don't overlook seaworms - stripers simply can't resist them despite looking nothing like herring!

Today's conditions: We've got moderate tidal movement with high tide around 11am, making early morning and late afternoon your prime fishing windows. The weather looks cooperative with temps in the mid-60s - perfect for a day on the water.

Remember folks, follow the bait and you'll find the fish. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines until next time, and I'll see ya on the water!

Hello there, fellow anglers. It's your friend Artificial Lure here with the latest fishing report for the Charles River and surrounding Boston waters. As we kick into mid-May, the fishing scene is really starting to heat up around here.

First off, let's talk about the conditions. The sunrise is around 5:30 AM today, and sunset will be about 7:50 PM, giving us plenty of daylight to get out on the water. Current weather is looking pretty good with moderate clouds and temperatures expected to reach the mid-60s, perfect for both fishermen and fish alike.

Tidal conditions are important, and today we're expecting a high tide around 9:00 AM and a low tide around 3:00 PM. These tidal changes will push baitfish into the mix, which means our targeted species like striped bass, largemouth bass, and trout are going to be active.

Speaking of fish activity, the past week has seen a significant increase in striper sightings, especially following the herring runs into the river system. These stripers are starting to show up more consistently now, with some decent catches reported along the South Shore and in the Charles River itself[2][4]. Our local rainbows, or trout, have been hitting lures like Thomas Buoyants, especially during the early morning hours[2].

As for the best lures to use, Thomas Buoyants in sunrise colors are killing it for trout, while some of the old favorites like Copper Super Dupers are doing well for trout in areas like the Millis/Medway section of the Charles River[1][2]. For striped bass, you can't go wrong with following the bait, which means using jigs or plugs that imitate the herring and alewives they're chasing.

Hot spots around here are always changing, but right now, the Millis/Medway area is looking good for trout, and the Charles River itself is seeing some action with stripers. Another great spot is around the Boston Harbor, where you can catch some nice bass and flounder. Specifically, areas like the Weir River, Weymouth Fore, and Neponset have been productive for harbor bass recently[1].

Overall, it's a great time to get out on the water, especially with the warmer weather and fish starting to move into their summer patterns. Make sure to follow the bait and stay flexible with your lures, and you should have no problem landing some nice fish. Happy fishing, everyone

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Sunday fishing update for May 11, 2025. We've got a beauty of a spring day shaping up on the Charles!

The stripers are really coming in strong now, following those herring runs that started earlier this month. Since my report last week, we've seen a significant uptick in both size and numbers. Those holdovers that were hanging around have been joined by the first serious wave of migrating fish, with some anglers reporting bass up to 32 inches near the river mouth.

Water temps have climbed to about 54 degrees in the main channel, putting both largemouth and smallmouth into aggressive feeding patterns. The rainbows in the upper sections continue to hit hard, especially on Thomas Buoyants and those Copper Super Dupers that have been so effective in the Millis/Medway section.

Tides today have low water at 9:17 AM and high tide coming in at 3:42 PM. With sunrise at 5:28 AM and sunset not until 7:56 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to work with. The morning started with light fog but expect clearing skies and temperatures reaching the mid-60s by afternoon.

For those targeting stripers, focus on the areas where herring are concentrated. Al Gag's Whip-it-Fish and Henderson spooks have been producing well, especially during the first and last light. If you're more into the traditional approach, tube-and-worm rigs are still getting it done, particularly as the tide starts moving in after low.

The flounder bite has also picked up considerably since last weekend. Several anglers reported decent catches near the Museum of Science and along the Esplanade using simple sea worm rigs.

Hot spots to check out today include the area around the BU Bridge where bass have been stacked up waiting for herring, the basin near the Hatch Shell, and if you're willing to venture into the harbor, both the Weir River and the area between Nut Island Pier and Wollaston Beach have been producing consistently.

For shore anglers, Pemberton Pier and Hull Public Pier remain reliable options, with several keepers reported yesterday evening on bucktail jigs tipped with gulp minnows.

For the freshwater enthusiasts staying upriver, the Catfish and Crappie bite in the Cambridge/Watertown stretch has been excellent, particularly around sunset using small jigs under bobbers.

Remember, if you're after those stripahs, follow the bait! The patterns we're seeing suggest this weekend could be the real kickoff to our spring run.

Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until tomorrow. See you on the water!

Good mornin' anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Saturday fishing update for the Charles River and surrounding Boston waters for May 10, 2025.

Folks, we're right in the sweet spot of early May fishing, and the action has been heating up daily! The stripers have been pushing into the system steadily over the past week following those alewife runs we've been tracking. Water temps have climbed nicely into the mid-50s, which has really turned on both the migratory and resident fish.

The tidal exchange today shows high tide at 10:22 AM with a low coming around 4:45 PM. With sunrise happening at 5:32 AM and sunset at 7:56 PM, you've got plenty of daylight to work with. The forecast is calling for partly cloudy skies with temps reaching about 68 degrees - perfect fishing weather if you ask me!

Let me tell ya, the striper action has been wicked good lately! Those "stripahs" have been crushing bait in the lower Charles and around the harbor islands. Follow the birds and the bait schools, and you'll find fish. Most catches have been schoolies in the 22-28" range, but we're seeing more keeper-sized fish moving in daily.

The resident largemouth and smallmouth bass are absolutely on fire right now. They've moved into shallower water and are hammering anything that resembles those alewives. The rainbow trout action has remained steady too, especially in the Millis/Medway section of the Charles where those Copper Super Dupers have been working their magic.

For lures, you can't go wrong with Al Gag's Whip-it-Fish or Henderson spooks for the stripers. For the freshwater action, Thomas Buoyants in the sunrise pattern have been absolute dynamite, especially during the early morning hours. If you're looking to throw some bait, fresh chunks of mackerel or sea worms have been producing well.

Hot spots to hit this weekend: The Weir River, Weymouth Fore, and the flats near World's End have all been producing. In the Charles proper, focus on the areas where the river widens and creates back eddies - the predators are stacking up there waiting for the bait to flush through. The Hull Public Pier, Pemberton Pier, and Nut Island Pier have also been reliable shore spots for catching a few fatties.

Don't forget to check those blackback flounder spots too - that bite is really coming into its own now that we've crossed that 50-degree water mark. Try Bumpkin Shoals, Sheep Island, or between Nut Island Pier and Wollaston Beach.

That's the word from the water today, folks. Get out there and enjoy what's shaping up to be one of the best early May weekends we've had in years! This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines, and I'll catch ya on the flip side!

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Friday fishing report for May 9, 2025, focused on the Charles River and Boston area waters.

Weather today is typical New England spring: expect morning temps in the low 50s rising to the mid-60s by afternoon, with partly cloudy skies and a light breeze from the west. Sunrise was at 5:34 am and sunset will be at 7:55 pm.

Fishing on the Charles is heating up with the spring push. The river herring and alewife runs have drawn in predator fish. Striped bass are beginning to show up in better numbers, especially the first migrators and holdovers moving upriver. Look for stripers working the bait early in the morning and at dusk. Seaworms remain a top bait for these early stripers, but don’t overlook soft plastics on jig heads or small topwater plugs if you see surface action. Follow the bait—where you find herring, you’ll likely find stripers[2][3].

Resident largemouth and smallmouth bass are actively feeding, thanks to rising water temps. They’re moving into shallower cover and responding well to spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and crankbaits. Trout fishing has also been productive in the Millis and Medway stretches of the Charles, with Copper Super Dupers and Thomas Buoyants in the sunrise color pattern catching rainbows near daybreak[1][2].

Panfish, crappie, and the occasional catfish are also biting, especially around structure like bridges, docks, and weedlines. Live bait like nightcrawlers and small shiners work well for these species, and mini jigs or small spinners will keep you busy between the bigger bites[4].

Flounder action is improving in Boston Harbor and the mouths of the river. Target them in shallow, sun-warmed water less than 10 feet deep. Best baits are seaworms or clam strips fished on the bottom. Look for flounder at the mouth of the Charles, around the Museum of Science area, or near Magazine Beach; other local hotspots include the Longfellow Bridge pilings and Herter Park stretch upriver[3][4].

For gear, bring a medium spinning setup for stripers and bass, and a lighter rod for panfish and trout. Best lures right now are soft plastics on jig heads, small crankbaits, copper or sunrise Thomas Buoyants, and spinnerbaits. For bait, seaworms, nightcrawlers, and shiners are tough to beat.

Hot spots today: The lower Charles near the Museum of Science and the bridges downtown for stripers and catfish, and the Medway stretch or Watertown Dam area for trout and bass.

Good luck out there and tight lines!

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Wednesday morning fishing update for the Charles River and surrounding Boston waters.

We're now in the first week of May and things are really heating up on the Charles! Those alewife runs I've been talking about have brought in a serious predator push, with striped bass numbers increasing daily. The stripers started their spring migration into Mass Bay about a week ago, with the first decent catches reported along the South Shore, and now they're following those herring runs right into our river system.

Water temps have continued to climb nicely since late April, putting our resident largemouth and smallmouth bass into aggressive feeding patterns. These fish are starting to move into their pre-spawn locations, so target structures near shallow flats where they'll be staging.

The Charles River rainbows have been absolutely hammering Thomas Buoyants at sunrise, especially in that sunrise color pattern that's been working wicked well lately. If you're targeting these trout, get out early - they've been most active in the first couple hours after daybreak.

For you striper chasers, follow the bait! The alewife runs in Greater Boston rivers are drawing in both holdover stripers and the first of the migrators. While seaworms look nothing like river herring, stripers of all sizes simply can't resist them. Soft plastic paddletails in 4-5 inch sizes that mimic those herring are producing as well.

Flounder action has been steadily improving throughout Quincy Bay and Boston Harbor. Some hot spots include Deer Island Flats, the backside of Long Island, Rainsford Island, and Perry and Portuguese Coves. For the best blackback action, focus on sun-swept shallow water less than 10 feet deep.

For today, May 7th, you're looking at a high tide around mid-morning with another in the evening. This gives you perfect opportunities to fish the falling tide, which has been most productive lately. Weather-wise, we're expecting temperatures in the low 60s with light winds from the southwest - pretty much perfect conditions.

Hot spots for today: The Museum of Science area has been producing nice bass on the dropping tide, while the stretch near the BU Bridge has been good for both stripers and smallmouth. For flounder enthusiasts, head to the harbor side near Long Wharf or try your luck around UMass Boston's shoreline.

Remember folks, the spring run is just getting started, so expect fishing to only get better from here. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines, and I'll catch you on the water!

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Monday morning fishing update for the Charles River and Boston waters on this beautiful May 5th.

It's prime time on the Charles River as we're hitting that sweet spot in early May fishing. Those alewife runs I've been telling you about have really kicked into high gear, drawing in plenty of predators. The stripers are making their spring push in earnest now, with fresh fish showing up daily following those herring runs into our river system.

Water temps have been climbing steadily since last month, and both our resident largemouth and smallmouth bass have shifted into more aggressive feeding patterns. Our beloved Charles River rainbows continue hammering Thomas Buoyants at sunrise - that sunrise color pattern I mentioned Saturday is still producing like crazy.

Regarding our "stripahs" - they're steadily trickling into Mass Bay, with the best early catches reported along the South Shore. If you're itching to get that first fresh striper of the season, I can't emphasize enough: follow the bait! Those alewife runs in the Greater Boston rivers are attracting both holdover stripers and the first of the migrating fish.

Flounder activity is heating up nicely throughout Quincy Bay and Boston Harbor. Hotspots worth checking include Deer Island Flats, the backside of Long Island, Rainsford Island, and both Perry and Portuguese Coves. For best results, focus on sun-warmed shallow water under 10 feet.

For those sticking with freshwater, Mass Wildlife recently stocked some quality fish - tigers, brookies and browns - in local ponds. Horn Pond in Woburn and Houghton Pond have been producing good reports. For big largemouths, target watersheds with herring runs, particularly the Hormel Stadium section of the Mystic River or 7 Acre Park on the Malden River.

Bait and tackle recommendations: seaworms are absolutely killing it for stripers despite looking nothing like the river herring they're chasing. For trout, those sunrise Thomas Buoyants continue to outperform everything else. Freshwater bass are responding well to jerkbaits and swimbaits in herring-run areas.

Two hot spots for today: First, try the basin area of the Charles near the Museum of Science during the incoming tide - stripers have been stacking up there following the bait. Second, the Esplanade docks have been productive for both bass species during the early morning and evening hours.

Remember, the annual Zobo Flounder tournament is coming up on May 18th, with proceeds going to the Barry Gibson Fund.

This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines and I'll catch ya on the flip side!

This is Artificial Lure with your Charles River fishing report for Sunday, May 4, 2025.

The early May bite is picking up steam on the Charles right now. Stripers are starting to show up in better numbers, with both schoolies and some decent slots reported in the last couple days. Most of these fish are following the alewives that are running the river, especially in the lower basin stretches and up by the dam. Sunrise today was at 5:32 AM, with sunset at 7:47 PM, giving anglers plenty of prime low-light hours to target active fish. Local veterans agree the early morning and evening bites are best, especially around bridge pilings and drop-offs where hungry stripers and bass lurk for passing bait[5].

Weather is mild and breezy, with air temps starting in the low 50s this morning and warming up near 62 by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy, perfect for keeping glare off the water and extending the bite into mid-morning. There’s no rain expected, and winds are light out of the west. Tidal influence in the Charles is weaker upstream of the locks, but if you’re fishing closer to the harbor, aim to fish the incoming tide for more active fish movement.

As for what’s biting, stripers are hot right now, and there have also been solid largemouth bass catches from the Watertown stretch up to Waltham, along with rainbows taken near the Newton and Auburndale parks. Flounder reports are increasing as well for those venturing out toward the harbor’s edge or the mouth of the river[1][2][3][4].

Top lures for the day are white or silver paddle tails, soft plastics mimicking alewife, and classic topwater plugs at dawn. Seaworms are a killer bait if you can get them, especially for stripers. For bass, try spinnerbaits or weedless jigs close to submerged structure or along weedlines. If you’re targeting rainbows, small spoons like the Thomas Buoyant in a sunrise color are a proven winner[4].

Hot spots for today include the stretch around the Longfellow Bridge—which offers good access to both deep channel water and structure—and up near the Watertown Dam, where the current concentrates bait and predators alike. Don’t overlook the shady edges under the bridges, which often hold fish all through the day[5].

To sum it up: the spring run is ramping up, early and late are best, and if you follow the bait, the fish won’t be far behind. Tight lines and see you on the river!