Fishing events for beginners
Learn to set up your rod, tie knots, cast, and identify fish. Events are free, family friendly, and open to all skill levels. No fishing license is required. Bring your own fishing equipment or borrow ours. Limited gear and bait will be provided. Unless it says it is required, event pre-registration is encouraged but optional.
| Date & Time | Location | Event Details |
|---|---|---|
| April 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Springfield Science Museum in Springfield | Open to the public, no pre-registration required. The Angler Education Program will have a learn to cast station at the Springfield Science Museum Earth Day Festival. For more information, contact the Springfield Science Museum at (413) 263-6800x325. |
| April 25, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Forest Park in Springfield | Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Festival is for children 12 and under and their families. No registration required; email Jim.Lagacy@mass.gov for more information. In cooperation with Springfield Elks, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Springfield Parks Department, Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited, and the Springfield Police and Fire Departments. |
| April 26, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Brookline Reservoir in Brookline | In cooperation with Brookline Recreation Department. A $7 fee per family will be charged by the Recreation Department and can be paid by phone or in person at the event. To register, call the Brookline Recreation Department at (617) 730-2069. |
| May 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Sandra Pond in Westborough | No registration required. In cooperation with the Westborough Civic Club. |
| May 5, 5 – 7 p.m. | Old Reservoir in Lexington | Pre-registration is required; click here to register. In cooperation with Lexington Recreation Department. |
| May 6, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Camp Sewataro Fishing Pond in Sudbury | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with Lincoln-Sudbury Adult and Community Education Program. |
| May 7, 5 – 7 p.m. | Fort Meadow Pond in Hudson | Pre-registration is required; click here to register. In cooperation with Hudson Recreation Department. |
| May 9, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield | No registration required. In cooperation with the Department of Recreation and Conservation. For more information, email Jim.Lagacy@mass.gov. |
| May 13, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Dean Park Pond in Shrewsbury | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with Shrewsbury Recreation Department. |
| May 14, 5 – 7 p.m. | Pomps Pond in Andover | Pre-registration is required; click here to register. In cooperation with Andover Recreation Department. |
| May 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Marlboro Fish and Game Club in Marlborough | Open to all veterans and their families. No registration required. Email jim.lagacy@mass.gov for more information. |
| May 16, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Spectacle Pond in Wilbraham | No registration required. In cooperation with Wilbraham Parks and Recreation Department and Westfield Bank. Email jim.lagacy@mass.gov for more information. |
| May 19, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Bolivar Pond in Canton | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with the Canton Recreation Department. |
| May 20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Longfellow Pond in Wellesley | Pre-registration required; call the Wellesley Recreation Department to register at (781) 235-2370. In cooperation with the Wellesley Recreation Department. |
| May 21, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Choate Park Pond in Medway | Pre-registration required; click here to register. In cooperation with Medway Parks and Recreation Department. |
| May 30, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Dufresne Pond in Granby | Cops and Bobbers Family Fishing Festival is for children 14 and under and their families. No registration required; email jim.lagacy@mass.gov for more information. In cooperation with the Amherst and Granby Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited. |
Fly Tying for Beginners
April 7: Intro to Fly Tying, Greenfield – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at the Greenfield Public Library (get directions) from 4:30–7:30 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
April 10: Intro to Fly Tying, Amherst – Learn the basic skills of tying your own flies during this free, hands-on course offered at the Notch Visitors Center (get directions) from 12:30–3:30 p.m. This is a single session sampler for beginners, designed to give you a taste of fly tying. We’ll show you the basic equipment and how to use it, while tying some simple but effective patterns. All tools and tying materials provided. *Open to the public, for beginning fly tiers only, minimum age is 15. Pre-registration is mandatory, click here to register.
Request a new event or borrow gear
Angler Education events are led by MassWildlife staff and volunteers. To request an event in your area, contact MassWildlife Angler Education Coordinator Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@mass.gov.
Groups who want to drop a line but do not have their own equipment can borrow rods, reels, and tackle, and get instructional handouts. Email jim.lagacy@mass.gov to check availability and borrow gear.
Other resources to learn to fish
- Can't come to a fishing class? It's still easy to learn! All you need to get started is some simple gear and a little practice. Learn on your own with these tutorials.
- Interested in saltwater fishing? Check out the Saltwater Angler Education Program.
Volunteers wanted
Want to share your knowledge and experience with others? Consider becoming a volunteer fishing instructor and passing on your passion! Email jim.lagacy@mass.gov to learn more.
Event accommodations
We will do our best to accommodate any needs to allow community members to participate as fully as possible.
- Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request for an accommodation, please email eeadiversity@mass.gov or call 617-626-1282; an ADA Coordinator will receive your request. Please include a description of the request in as much detail as possible and a way we can contact you if we need more information. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ (14 days) advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but we may be unable to fulfill the request.
- Please let us know of any language interpretation requests by email to susan.sacco@mass.gov at least 72 hours before the event.
- Se pueden solicitar servicios adicionales de traducción o interpretación enviando su solicitud por correo electrónico a susan.sacco@mass.gov al menos 72 horas antes de la reunión.
- Serviços adicionais de tradução ou interpretação podem ser solicitados ao enviar um e-mail para: susan.sacco@mass.gov com pelo menos 72 horas de antecedência da reunião.
- 如需额外的笔译或口译服务，请至少在会议开始前 72 小时发电子邮件至 susan.sacco@mass.gov 提出要求.
- Ou ka mande plis sèvis tradiksyon oswa entèpretasyon lè w adrese demann ou pou imèl susan.sacco@mass.gov omwen 72 èdtan anvan reyinyon an.
- Các dịch vụ biên dịch hoặc phiên dịch bổ sung có thể được yêu cầu bằng cách gửi yêu cầu của quý vị qua email đến susan.sacco@mass.gov ít nhất 72 giờ trước cuộc họp.
- Предоставление дополнительных услуг письменного или устного перевода можно запросить, отправив просьбу по электронной почте на адрес susan.sacco@mass.gov как минимум за 72 часа до начала встречи
- Des services de traduction ou d'interprétation supplémentaires peuvent être demandés en envoyant votre demande par e-mail à susan.sacco@mass.gov au moins 72 heures avant la réunion.