Book Your Fishing Charter in Northampton, MA

Discover art, sciences, and history in your next fishing trip to the Happy Valley of Massachusetts! Come to Northampton today!

Book Your Fishing Charter in Northampton, MA
Book Your Fishing Charter in Northampton, MA
Team Guidesly

April 21, 2022, 3 min read

Updated on June 19, 2023

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Happy Valley, Emerald City, and the Paradise City of America are just some of the names given to Northampton, MA. This is due to the history of the city's utopian community, which is still reflected in the population's culture. The place remains a haven that makes everyone in the society feel included and accepted. Situated within the forests and mountains of Hampshire County, Northampton is known for its beautiful arts, exceptional music, and excellent academies. The city is also very supportive of recreational activities, ensuring that there are indoor and outdoor adventures for anyone in the society. Coming to Northampton for your next trip will be one of the best travel decisions you will ever make!

Northampton Fishing: Catch Games in the Happy Valley

black thin boat docked near grass

Northampton is a good spot for freshwater fishing. The city has lakes, brooks, and ponds, and the Connecticut River runs southwards on its east side. All of these allow perfect all-year fishing for anglers who leave on vacation when it comes to the sport.

For 15.5 miles, the Mill River runs as a tributary of the Connecticut River. The river got its name for being home to mills in the mid 19th century when people took advantage of waterpower. Mill River is a sweet haven for fly fishing, where anglers can relax and cast along its banks. Some of the best catches in the river include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish, common carp, yellow perch, rock bass, and rainbow trout.

If you’re after some lake action, go to Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, a little to the east of Look Park. The place is filled with greens and is conveniently accessible year-round. There is a small dock in the lake where non-motorized boats can launch drift fishing. The lake is small, but largemouth bass action can be quite strong, especially for those who prefer to light tackle. There are trout species, channel catfish, pumpkinseed, black crappie, white crappie, yellow perch, and common carp available in the lake.

Head to Northampton’s eastern banks and shoreline fishing in the Connecticut River for the best freshwater fishing. Its Greenway State Park gives access to anglers to fish in the river year-round. Fish species in the river include common carp, brown bullhead, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, white catfish, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, golden shiner, fallfish, and rock bass. Atlantic salmon was repopulated in the river by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. With an incredible variety of game, the river is irresistible to almost all anglers. Anadromous and catadromous fish also live in the river, such as brook trout, winter flounder, rainbow trout, brown trout, shad, hickory shad, smallmouth bass, Atlantic sturgeon, blueback herring, alewife, striped bass, American eel, sea lamprey, and the endangered shortnose sturgeon.

Don’t forget to check the state regulations when coming to Northampton to fish, or book a local guide to help you out!

Discover Art and History in Northampton

1. Smith College Museum of Art

The Smith College Museum of Art, founded in 1879, is known for its beautiful collection of American and European 19th and 20th-century art. Edgar Degas, Georges Seurat, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Paul Cézanne, Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Albert Bierstadt, John Singer Sargent, and many more are displayed in the museum for art enthusiasts to see. It has nearly 25,000 artworks in its collection today.

2. Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum

A collection of memorabilia from the political and personal life of the 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, who served from 1872 to 1933, awaits geeks for history. President Coolidge was a former Mayor of Northampton. Photographs, artifacts, and papers associated with his life will be seen here. Discover a vital part of American history in the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum.

Fish in Northampton and beyond.