Winthrop, MA Fishing: The Heart Of Massachusetts

The city of Winthrop is an oceanside community located in a peninsula, 1.6 square miles in area, in Suffolk County. It is one of four cities that comprise Suffolk County, including Boston, Revere, and Chelsea. It is connected to the city of Revere via a narrow isthmus and East Boston via a bridge over Belle Isle Marsh Reservation’s harbor inlet. Winthrop is situated in the northern gate to the Boston Harbor in the Greater Boston area, close to Logan International Airport. The city is located at the southernmost point of the North Shore and provides a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and Boston’s skyline to the west. 

As one can already see, Winthrop’s location makes it an angler’s paradise. Not only does it provide access to the Boston Harbor and the Atlantic beyond, but it is also an urban area as well. Add to that the fact that it’s just a few minutes away from Boston, and it’s readily accessible to any anglers who wish to visit it. Anglers looking to cast on a more rural scene would be pleasantly surprised to find that Winthrop looks more like a quaint New England town than a cosmopolitan city. 

Aside from the bountiful fishing to be had in the area, Winthrop also has a long history that goes back to the first European settlers in the area. First settled in 1630, it first began as an agricultural and fishing town. Named after the second governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, John Winthrop, the city is one of the oldest settled communities in the country. 

Winthrop Fishing

Being surrounded by the Atlantic on three sides means Winthrop possesses a bountiful gamefish for anglers who wish to visit here. Not only that, but the area also has several lakes, streams, and reservoirs where anglers can also look for gamefish. You can find little tunny, black sea bass, striped bass, flounder, and bluefish swimming in its waters. For those who wish to go offshore and find more exotic catches, bluefin and yellowfin tuna and blue and mako sharks can be found swimming in deeper waters. For freshwater gamefish, the area offers smallmouth bass and flathead catfish. With so many prime fishing spots and gamefish, it will take many trips around Winthrop to fully experience fishing in the area. 

And speaking of fishing trips, if it’s your first time fishing in Winthrop’s waters, or you wish to make the most of your trip here, there are many fishing charters available in the area. These charters cater to a wide variety of services to their customers. These services include transporting them to a fishing spot and advising them on which fishing technique to use when catching a certain gamefish. So if you’re unsure on how to approach fishing in Winthrop, or if you just want to learn to best cast your line, hiring one of the fishing charters is a good start. 

Speaking of fishing techniques, the most popular fishing techniques used in Winthrop are trolling, fly fishing, baitcasting, spinning, light and heavy tackle, and bottom fishing. These fishing techniques are popular because a lot of the gamefish are located either inshore or offshore. Visiting anglers are thus advised to either bring their boat here or hire one in the area. And for those who don’t want to fish either inshore or offshore, not to worry. Winthrop’s shores and fishing piers are also accessible for surfcasting as well. Here you can catch fish without feeling seasick or spending a lot of money hiring a party boat. 

Moving unto fishing spots, the popular fishing spots on or near Winthrop are Yirrell, Revere, and Winthrop Beaches, the Belle Isle Inlet, the Cherry Island Bar, and the Winthrop Town Pier. These areas are perfect for anglers who wish to remain ashore and avoid getting seasick while looking for fish. Anglers who want to catch the various kinds of tuna swimming near Winthrop can head onto the Boston Harbor Islands, the Boston North and South Channels, and the Nubble Channel to catch these prized fish. 

Anglers who wish to catch fish in Winthrop Town Pier can either hire one of the fishing boats docked there or cast their lines in the pier itself. It is advised for those who wish to fish on or near the main pier to keep a watch on their bait and tackle so that they won’t spill and cause a mess there. Cars and trucks are also prohibited from being driven to the pier without permission from the harbormaster. So if you want to bring your vehicles with you on your trip, either find a nearby parking spot or request permission from the harbormaster. 

Other places anglers can cast their lines on are the nearby beaches in Winthrop. These beaches are perfect for surf casters and fly fishers who wish to fish in peace then relax under the sun. You can find striped bass and bluefish swimming close to the shore here, so look out for areas with a lot of covers, as these are where fish tend to hide. The closest one within Winthrop is Winthrop Beach, just .6 miles away from the city itself. Other good ones are the beach in Rever and Yirrell Beach. Other good beaches to visit are the Revere and Constitution Beaches. 

For anglers who are looking for a bigger trophy and challenge, head onto the Atlantic via the piers around the city. Here you will find sharks and tuna in the deeper, offshore waters as they migrate to warmer waters to breed. If you’re not sure where exactly to go, ask the local fishing shops or hire a fishing charter to improve your chances of finding them there. Be sure to come prepared for the challenge that these fish will give, as their weight and speed make catching them particularly difficult. Your efforts won’t be for naught, however, as you will be rewarded with a wonderful trophy and a delicious meal if you happen to catch one of the tuna species swimming here. 

Top 10 Fish Species In Winthrop, MA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Winthrop, Massachusetts are the striped bass, bluefin tuna, flounder, mako shark, little tunny, bluefish, blue shark, smallmouth bass and black sea bass.

Winthrop Seasonal Fishing

Fishing is an all-year-round activity in Winthrop. That said, there are months where fish are more common and vice versa. For anglers who want to make the most of their trip in the area, visit the area from May to October. These months are the spring and summer months in Winthrop, so fish are more active and swim in shallower waters. This makes them easier to catch and appear in large numbers that you won’t run out of fish to catch. 

Do note that the black seabass is prohibited from being caught during the months of January to April and then from September to December. But that’s okay, as when they appear from May to August, they appear in force. Striped bass and bluefish are also very common in the area from May to October as well. If you’re planning to visit during the winter and early spring, you will be greeted by large numbers of flounder and halibut. 

Fun Things To Do While In Winthrop

1.Fishing Charters

Due to the large numbers of gamefish in its waters, it is no surprise that Winthrop also has several fishing charters operating in the area. There are 38 fishing charters available for anglers to choose from, each specializing in a particular style of fishing or area within Winthrop. It is recommended that if it’s your first time visiting Winthrop that you avail of their services. This is so that you can familiarize yourself with the popular fishing spots and techniques in the area for the next time you visit there. 

2. Relax at the Many Beaches in the Area

The beaches in or near Winthrop aren’t just prime fishing spots, they’re also a good place to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Which beach to go to depends on your preference. Recommended ones are Revere beach, which is also the oldest public beach in America, Winthrop’s beach, and Constitution beach. You can swim, sunbathe, and do outdoor activities on these beaches, and it’s a perfect place to have fun with friends and family after a day of fishing. 

3. Get a Taste of Asia

For those who wish to taste something a little different than usual, head onto East Boston where you can find the Little Asia Restaurant. As its name suggests, this restaurant specializes in a wide variety of Asian dishes that will leave you craving for more. If you’re ever in the East Boston area, don’t forget to visit this restaurant for a culinary experience you won’t forget.