Berkley, MA Fishing: Small Town, Big History

Berkley is a historical and rural town in Bristol County that is known for its vast woodlands. In previous years, Berkeley used to be part of the towns Dighton and Taunton. However, it became a separate town in 1735 and was named after Geoge Berkeley, a renowned philosopher. 

Historically, Berkley is said to be the place where King Philip formed his confederacy in 1675. 

Berkley’s history as a renowned tourist destination started in 1690 when talks about the Dighton Rock spread across the county. Dighton Rock is a famous boulder marked with petroglyphs with unknown origins. Today, Dighton Rock is housed within Dighton Rock State Park – a popular destination among locals and tourists alike. Dighton State Park is one of Berkley’s most prized tourist attractions as it has trails that highlight Berkley's scenic beauty. 

Berkley’s natural treasures are well maintained and preserved by its local government. Massive efforts have been exerted in attempts to conserve all of Berkley’s natural resources despite the growing tourism in the small town. Citizens and government agencies work hand in hand in protecting all water bodies and habitats of endangered species as well as the rare flora and fauna that can be found in its vast forests and grasslands.

In recent years, Berkley has slowly become a popular tourist destination among anglers with its abundance of rivers, lakes, and ponds. Berkley is definitely a staple angling itinerary stop with its plenty of accessible launch points and fishing spots.

Berkley Fishing

Among anglers, Berkley has gained a reputation for being a solid freshwater fishing destination. Within Berkley’s significant forestry are all-natural rivers and lakes filled with an abundance of fish and a diverse amount of fish species that anglers of all skill levels could enjoy. 

The Taunton River borders Berkley to its west and is the largest body of water in Berkley compared to its many ponds and narrow streams. It provides Berkley residents with excellent recreational fishing opportunities as it is a refuge to several fish species, including game fish such as largemouth bass and striped bass. Due to Taunton River’s many tributaries such as Assonet, Nemasket, Threemile, Segreganset, Mill, and Winnetuxet Rivers, a lot of fish species are swept in here especially when the tides are high. Scup and yellow perch are quite a common catch in Berkley’s side of Taunton River. 

The Bridge Village Heritage Park in Berkley is notable among anglers looking to target fish in Taunton River. Not only does it offer significant launches for anglers using boats, canoes, or kayaks, but it covers a significant portion of the Taunton River that flows through Berkley. The best advice from local anglers is that though fishing from Taunton River’s shores is convenient, anglers who make an effort to get to the deeper parts of the water are more likely to reel in better quality fish. 

Dighton Rock State Park is also a great fishing location for anglers targeting the Taunton River. It has more refined water edges due to developments for the beautification of the park. Although fish is not that abundant in Dighton Rock State Park’s portion of Taunton River, there is still much fish to be caught, and the location provides easy access to the water. Since the water edges along Dighton State Park are already layered with concrete making it less slippery, the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) hosts events such as “Angler Education Day” to educate children about the Taunton River, giving them insight not just on learning how to fish but also on how the River is not just a body of water, but also a habitat for many life forms mainly fish. 

Aside from the many locations that provide access to the Taunton River, Berkley is also famous for its many ponds and lakes. If one looks at Berkley from a map, it is pretty easy to see that Berkley has several ponds and lakes that seem to be connected by a system of narrow streams. Forge Pond and Quaker Brook are not vast locations but filled with fish such as crappie and white perch.

Waters bodies all over Berkley are characterized by calm waters surrounded by grasslands. With this, anglers find it easier to use spinning or baitcasting techniques. Worms are best to use when fishing in Berkley. Not only are they easy to see around the area, but fish are quick to bite them as well. Some anglers use artificial bait as it is convenient, but often, fish snub them, meaning a longer waiting time for anglers. A good alternative is using shiners. When in doubt, there are a lot of bait shops around Berkley, with local anglers that are always willing to help. 

It is also helpful to be mindful of the many fishing regulations implemented in Berkley to take part in the town’s conservation of its waters. Although fishing is encouraged and is a celebrated sport in the small town, like the rest of Massachusetts, fishing should be undertaken responsibly. 

Because of the abundance of bass in Taunton River, several fishing tournaments are hosted in the area such as the Massachusetts Kayak Bassin' 2020 event in Taunton that has attracted many visiting anglers from all over Massachusetts to visit Taunton River, both in Taunton and in Berkley, as well as Taunton River’s many tributaries. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Berkley, MA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Berkley, MA are largemouth bass, striped bass, scup, yellow perch, white perch, crappie, arctic char, dolly varden, burbot, and bluegill.

Seasonal Fishing

With the many water bodies existing in Massachusetts, anglers can enjoy year-round fishing. Especially for lakes and ponds, any day between January and December is a good fishing trip. However, fishing during the warmer months is notably the best season to fish in Massachusetts as the waters are filled with bass and trout. 

Time Travel in Berkley

Berkley is a rural but historically rich town near the United States’ most beautiful tourist attractions. This quaint town is overflowing with exciting activities that involve a lot of sightseeing and trips down memory lane, perfect for tourists of all ages. 

1.Book a Fishing Charter

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, fishing in Berkley is best with the guidance of an experienced local angler. Not only are you able to navigate to the best fishing spots in the area with ease, but they are always happy to share the history of the waters as well. 

2. See Dighton Rock

Dighton Rock is Berkley’s most prized tourist attraction. There are no words to describe how interesting it is to find a boulder with markings that no one could explain. The markings are characterized by odd shapes that many philosophers have tried decoding but to no success. The 40-lb boulder is currently in Dighton Rock State Park, a state park developed around the historical boulder that features trails, picnic spots, and other recreational activities. 

3. Learn More About Conspiracy Island

Conspiracy Island is a small tidal island that sparks mystery in the town of Berkley. Aside from it being said to be the location where King Philip formed his confederacy, history has been mixed with many urban legends, such as the island being cursed, which explains why it is a spot where fish do not thrive. Over the years, it has become a tourist attraction among visitors wanting to see what the urban legends are about.