Medfield, MA Fishing: The Quaint Town of Massachusetts

Many tourists love visiting the New England area in Massachusetts because of hills filled with grasses and trees and houses people built during the British occupation. This land is rich in history and culture that attract tourists who want an escape from the urban jungles of America. One of the hidden destinations in Massachusetts is Medfield, which is 17 miles from the state's capital, Boston. Native-American brick wall houses and buildings fill Medfield, which is under the authority of Norfolk County. The area is a respite from the usual hustle and bustle of Boston, and it offers tourists a way to enjoy nature without traveling too far. 

In the late 1620s, William Pynchon bought Medfield from the Neponset tribe. However, the tribe leader died without signing the written deed, which pushed Pynchon's grandson to secure a land claim from the Massachusetts General Court. Then, many English settlers began building their houses and named the area Medfield. Some say that it was named after Metfield in England, where the majority of the immigrants came from. On January 11, 1651, Massachusetts officially recognized Medfield as its 43rd city.

As of the latest census, there are about 12,800 residents. Infrastructure has evolved, and the city now has hospitals, schools, and libraries nestled amidst tall trees and grassy fields. Nature-lovers and anglers will be delighted to visit Medfield. Medfield has numerous fishing opportunities thanks to the bordering Charles River and many other nearby streams.   Charles River surrounds almost one-third of the city and offers a lot of fishing spots along the banks or deeper waters.

Medfield Fishing 

There are many fishing opportunities in Medfield. One of the most popular fishing spots in the city is Rocky Woods, a property located in the northeast part of the Medfield. Rocky Woods features 6.5 miles of space for fishing, hiking, and biking. Access to the Rocky Woods is open to the public, and there are no membership fees required! So if you want to try countryside fishing, then you might want to book Rocky Woods in Medfield for your next fishing trip. It is suitable for family fishing trips, especially for your kids' first fishing experience, because Rocky Woods does not have strong currents, and you do not have to go unto deep waters to fish. 

Anglers love another good fishing spot is the Kingsbury Pond, named after Clark Kingsbury, a valiant United States Marine.  He served in almost every battle in World War 1 and was a Medfield resident. 

Kingsbury, a 13-acre pond, is open for public fishing and ice skating. Townsfolk have frequently caught this pond’s largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and bluegill. Bottom-feeders and trophy-sized fish are also on the menu for anglers trying to fish in Kingsbury Pond. You might be the next one to reel in a good catch of bass weighing up to 6kg! 

If you are a beginner and want to try something new, you can avail yourself of Charter services in Medfield. An experienced crew, who will tour you around the excellent fishing locations in Medfield, will also guide you to save the trouble of scouting fishing spots on your own. Chartered services also increase your chances of getting a good catch because they will teach you effective fishing techniques and help you reel your line if you encounter a hard fight from any fish. 

One popular fishing technique in Medfield is bottom fishing, where you drop your bait downstream or until it reaches the water column, making the bait more attractive for fish. The water column generally contains underwater structures that house schools of fish. Since waters in Medfield do not have a strong current, you can do this technique inshore or deeper parts of the stream. The technique also increases your chance to catch bottom feeders such as sea bass, halibut, red snapper, and grouper, all of which you can find in the waters of Medfield. 

If you are among those who want to travel light, then you can try the light tackle technique. This method is used by veteran anglers who prefer a challenge when fishing. Since they use light tackle or fishing equipment, bigger fish have bigger chances of getting away when fighting against the bait. One of the advantages of this technique is the light packs you will carry on your boat, helping you move faster with your boat and scout fishing locations faster. The obvious disadvantage is you will be exerting more effort reeling in big fish if you encounter one. But do not be discouraged because you can still catch delicious fish using the light tackle technique as long as you have brought a sturdy line to support the weight of the fish you are targeting.  

Top 10 Fish Species in Medfield, MA 

The top 10 fish species to catch in Medfield, MA is largemouth bass, black sea bass, smallmouth bass, halibut, red snapper, chain pickerel, redfin pickerel, black grouper, red grouper, and redfish. 

Seasonal Fishing 

Freshwater fishing in Medfield is allowed all year round for anglers who own a Massachusetts fishing license. You can drive to any stream in Medfield and get a good catch. The peak season for Medfield anglers is from mid-June until late September when water temperatures are rising. In the summer heat, schools of fish frequently group up in search of food along the banks and near shorelines, making them easier to be caught. Thanks to the sun and clear skies, current and fast waters are also clearer. You can start fishing from 5 am to 8 am to maximize your catch. Early summer mornings in Medfield are full of fish activity, and you do not want to miss them swimming in the open. 

Later in the year, once winter falls, many streams of Medfield will freeze over and will only serve as skating rinks. During mid-December until late February, snow is heavy on Medfield, but there will be puddles or small cracks in frozen streams, making it possible to ice-fish. Strong winds and fish ignoring cold waters in search of food awaits anglers during winter in Medfield, so be cautious when fishing if you get a bite from your bait, except that the fish will not go up with you without a fight during winter.  

Conversing and asking advice from local anglers and the townsfolk is helpful to make your fishing trip a memorable one. You will find that the people here are kind and hospitable enough to provide you with recent weather reports or even hurricane forecasts. Residents will also guide you to fishing stores so you can stock up before heading to your fishing hole. 

Experience the Countryside in Medfield

1. Canoe down Charles River 

You can take your canoe or your kayak and row along the currents of Charles River. This 80 mile-long river surrounds one-third of Medfield before flowing back to the Atlantic Ocean. You will see the landscape of Medfield and appreciate the beauty of nature more through this route. Once you are done with your boat ride, you can set up a picnic or even camp along the banks of the river so you can soak in the cold morning breeze and the grassy smell of the countryside. 

2. Visit Peak House 

As the oldest surviving building of the colonial era, the Peak households had significant meaning to the residents of Medfield. This house is a popular tourist destination, and it showcases the heritage of the city. Colonial artifacts and other memorabilia are on display inside Peak House. 

3. Walkthrough Vine Lake Cemetery 

Since 1651, the cemetery has been a place of contemplation and silence for Medfield residents. It is one of the last surviving remnants of the city's early days. Aside from being used for funerals and burials, it is also an outdoor museum that artfully combines the social, historical, and architectural heritage of Medfield.