Artificial Lure here with your Charles River fishing report for Wednesday, August 6, 2025. As the sun rose over the Longfellow at 5:27am and will set tonight around 8:14pm, anglers across the basin enjoyed nearly 15 hours of daylight, just perfect for squeezing in those after-work casts. The day’s weather started cool with patchy clouds—overnight lows hovered near 61°F, climbing to a comfortable high of 72°F by late afternoon. Winds were steady from the west at 12 mph, with occasional gusts topping 22 mph, making for just enough ripple to keep the fish on alert but still manageable for boaters and bank casters alike. Humidity remains high at 93%, so bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Tides played a classic midsummer rhythm today. Low tide hit in the early morning hours at 2:57am, then rose to a solid high at 9:08am—right as a major fishing window as well, with lunar transit running from 8:47am to 10:47am. Afternoon low came in at 3:11pm, and the next big high is expected at 9:28pm, overlapping nicely with the evening bite and a major moon phase from 9:15 to 11:15pm. If you’re heading for a late session, you’re in luck; both the tides and lunar cycle are coming together for prime action.

Angler reports indicate the largemouth bass are still loving life on the Charles right now. Local enthusiasts documented landing five-bass bags going 12 pounds, with several fish over three pounds each, confirming the summer bite is at its peak. Most action was reported between the Magazine Beach stretch and up toward the Watertown Dam, particularly around any structure offering shade, like bridge pilings and fallen timber.

Best presentations today leaned heavily toward topwater in the early hours—think whopper ploppers and poppers along weed lines at sunrise. As the sun rose, switching to soft plastics like Senkos and creature baits in green pumpkin or watermelon produced consistent results. Spinnerbaits in sexy shad have also been filling the gap for both bass and the occasional feisty perch. For fly anglers, dark streamers imitating juvenile herring have drawn attention after sundown.

Bait fisherman are seeing steady action on cut shiners and live nightcrawlers. Worms fished under slip bobbers are pulling in not just bass but also slab crappie and occasional channel catfish, especially closer to dusk.

For those dreaming of stripers, a few have been making their way up from the harbor, but the numbers pale compared to spring. For stronger saltwater action, try the CJ Victoria, a harbor charter that recently reported a banner trip: over 60 mackerel and 13 striped bass, including a half-dozen in the legal slot size.

Hot spots on the Charles this week: Head to the Magazine Beach boat launch for consistent bass and crappie, and don’t overlook the shallow flats up by Herter Park, which are loaded with bait and cruising fish at dusk. For a mixed bag, the old railroad bridge near Brighton Landing can light up during moving tides, and the old boathouse pylons near Harvard are always worth a few casts.

One important note: The Beacon Hill Times carried a health advisory about cyanobacteria in the Charles this week. Use caution and avoid unnecessary contact with the water, especially if you have pets or small children in tow.

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