Natick, MA Fishing: Pleasant Weekend Getaway in the Greater Boston Area

Situated near the heart of the MetroWest region, Natick is a predominantly residential place in the Greater Boston area, located 10 miles west of the state capital. While initially a farming district, Natick flourished as a shoe-making capital in the late 19th century. It was known for brogans, a heavy boot worn by Civil War soldiers. Today, it is mainly known for its namesake mall, considered the largest indoor shopping center in New England. However, it offers so much more as a destination that’s easy to reach from Boston.

Natick started its history as a Puritan settlement built on Dedham Grant land for a tribe of Praying Indians in 1651. It was the first of its kind in the region. The Praying Indians were self-governing within the settlement but required to conform to the Puritan culture. However, this peaceful co-existence did not last as the settlers were too focused on expansion and development and committed violence against the natives. However, the Indian and European people Natick were still served together in the Continental Army in the 18th century. Both groups are memorialized with the Revolutionary War veterans on a stone marker near Natick. 

At present, Natick is a pleasant weekend spot that’s easily accessible from Boston. It is divided into distinct communities, each with a unique personality and vibe contributing to its vibrant atmosphere. It is filled with historical memorials and landmarks, a lively downtown area, and pockets of undeveloped natural places where people can relax, unwind, and enjoy some classic New England angling.

Natick Fishing

While Natick is not primarily known as a fishing destination, it still has good water bodies that offer productive fishing. The area is likewise a convenient gateway to other great fishing waters within the MetroWest region of Massachusetts.

One such water body you can easily access in Natick is Lake Cochituate. This Great Pond consisted of three linked ponds or basins and was originally a reservoir for Boston. The largest, known as Southern Basin or South Pond, has the deepest point in the lake at 69 feet. All three basins have primarily muddy and gravelly bottoms, though part of the Southern Basin bottom also has sandy areas. Anglers can access Lake Cochituate within the Cochituate State Park, where there’s a large boat ramp in the park and a parking area that can accommodate up to 50 trailers. 

Lake Cochituate is quite a special waterbody as it offers a wide variety of fish species in all its three basins. The most commonly found here are largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, white perch, chain pickerel, common carp, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, American eel, black crappie, and golden shiner. It also receives stockings of rainbow trout, brook trout, and tiger trout every spring and fall, and northern pike and tiger muskellunge based on their availability. Yellow perch and bluegill, in particular, are often found in significant sizes in the lake. According to anglers who regularly fish in the lake, the best way to fill your bucket here is to hop on a kayak and head where the depth of the lake drops. The shorelines offer aquatic vegetation that attracts fish, but a consistent spot is hard to come by.

Another Great Pond worth fishing in Natick is Dug Pond, a small water body west of Natick’s central region and home to Memorial Beach. It’s a popular swimming spot with great recreational facilities for families with kids during the summer. It comes alive as a fishing spot during spring, particularly along the shorelines where anglers can fish for some stocked brook trout. During summer, away from the swimmers, anglers can catch largemouth bass and panfish like bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white perch, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, and golden shiner. 

Pickerel Pond is a small but worthwhile spot to enjoy scenic fishing in Natick. This kettle pond is a part of the Charles River Watershed and is a shallow and small pond that offers great pickerel fishing. You can fish from the shores and launch a boat on the boat ramp in the area.

Charles River is a Greater Boston body of water that meanders from Hopkinton to Boston, flowing through Natick and other places in eastern Massachusetts. It is often overlooked as a fishing spot because of its history as a polluted waterway. While many areas are still being rehabilitated, parts of the river offer productive fishing. It is home to a wide variety of freshwater fish and some diadromous fish. Here, the most commonly found fish include largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish, redfin pickerel, yellow bullhead, white bullhead, and brown bullhead. The rare diadromous fish that make their way in the river are striped bass, white perch, and American shad.

From Natick, anglers can access part of the Charles River in Grove Park, a fishing area, and a boat launch for canoes and kayaks. Minutes away from the locale, the Charles River Basin is a broad section of the river with shorelines that offer plenty of cover and structure that attract largemouth bass, black crappie, and common carp. If you’re seeking a scenic spot to fish, then you will enjoy fishing in the Esplanade on the tip of Boston’s Back Bay, with its view of the footbridges over the Storrow Drive lagoons. This part of the river holds many largemouth bass and black crappie.

Top 10 Fish Species in Natick, MA

The top 10 fish species to target in Natick, MA are largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, chain pickerel, brook trout, rainbow trout, white perch, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, and redbreast sunfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing in Massachusetts tends to be year-round but is particularly alive during summer when the waters are warm. Largemouth bass and other panfish are the best species to target here during this season. Many of the bodies of water in Natick receive trout stockings during spring, offering a good alternative if you don’t want to compete with a summer fishing crowd. Some bodies of water, such as Dug Pond, freeze over during winter and offer fair ice fishing opportunities. Make sure the ice is hard and thick enough before venturing out.

Anglers are cautioned against consuming some fish caught in the area because of contamination of possible mercury and PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl). For this reason, it might be better to practice catch-and-release here. Make sure to refer to the state guidelines to be adequately informed.

Enjoy a Wholesome Weekend in Natick, MA

Natick provides a nice change of pace from Boston while still easily accessible. It offers many exciting spots and activities for the entire family to enjoy.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Explore and fish the vast and productive waters of Lake Cochituate and Charles River with the guidance of a local expert.

2. Spend a Day at Belkin Family Lookout Farm

One of the oldest farms in the country that’s still in operation today, Belkin Family Lookout Farm is a local Natick pride. It is home to over 65,000 trees and a great variety of fruits (including 29 apple varieties) and offers different farm tours for the entire family. The best way to cap off a day at the farm is by dining al fresco at the Lookout.

3. Cheer the Boston Marathon Runners

The Boston Marathon course runs from Hopkinson and Boston, passing through Natick along Route 135/Central Street. Join the locals in cheering the runners along and share in the festive atmosphere.