Cedar Swamp is a Swamp located in Middlesex County, MA. Starting in the Cedar Swamp has a total surface area of 1.8 miles. The Cedar Swamp has an elevation of 79 feet. Find maps, fishing guides and recreation info at Guidesly.

About Cedar Swamp, MA

Cedar Swamp is a 1650-acre sized vegetated wetland in Westborough, Massachusetts. It is located 3.4 miles away from Berkley, sandwiched between Framingham and Worcester, and stretched into Hopkinton. Cedar Swamp is the largest of the three major wetlands in Westborough, followed by the Crane Swamp and Assabet Swamp. The three water bodies cover a total of three miles approximately. The swamp is easily accessible to urban people living in the middle eastern part of Massachusetts.

With the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation State Parks Division as the major landowner of the swamp, it has been made a reserve as part of their Landscape Designation in 2011. The area is named after the Atlantic white cedars that are still growing in the swamp at present time. It is also the headwater and critical floodwater storage provider of the neighboring Sudbury River. The swamp has also been tagged as a growing habitat for rare species by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP). It is the second-largest archeological and historic district in the area. 

The swamp typically only allows foot traffic, and there are two major public access points to enter the area. The best and easiest way is through the back of St. Luke’s Cemetery and the other access point is in the Town of Westborough Rogers Property. 

All About Fishing in Cedar Swamp, MA

Cedar Swamp is one of the most important public recreation resources for hiking, canoeing, nature study, photography, hunting, and fishing in Massachusetts. Along with it being a habitat for woodchucks, weasels, deers, chipmunks, and blue herons, it is also a great fishing area for largemouth bass, which is the most popular catch here. With it being part of Sudbury River, you may also find other fish species such as chain pickerel, northern pike, common carp, and black crappie. You may also spot some catfish, bluegill, and white perch. The area is full of wet and overgrown trails, and to fish here means you have to be patient with algae and lily pads you may come across while angling. Note that you must also need a fishing license before angling here, especially if you are 14 years of age and above. People who are 15-17 years old can get their licenses for free, as well as people who are 70 years old and above. 

Ideal and popular fishing techniques used here are baitcasting, spinning, and sometimes ice fishing. You would need a canoe or kayak to effectively fish in the area. However, there are certain advisories you would need to keep in mind when angling here, especially when you are planning to eat your catch. The general public is advised to limit their fish consumption from the water body to only two meals per month due to the mercury contamination present within. Pregnant women, children under 12 years of age, women of childbearing ages, and nursing mothers are strictly prohibited from eating fish of all species that were caught from here and other neighboring waters, including Sudbury River.

Fishing Seasonality

The best time to fish in Cedar Swamp would be around 6 AM - 10 AM. Largemouth bass and northern pike are in season all year round, but it would be ideal to practice angling here during late April and May. Freshwater fish species naturally thrive on warm temperatures, so fishing throughout June to mid-September is also ideal. Largemouth bass seeks protective covers in their habitat, so try checking out underneath the lily pads and other vegetation visible in the area. Younger basses like to travel in schools while adult ones can be more solitary. For northern pikes, on the other hand, May would be the best time for targeting them. Be sure to check out the Massachusetts freshwater fishing regulations beforehand so you would be more updated with the fish seasonalities and the limits you need to follow. 

Fishing Seasonality

The best time to fish in Cedar Swamp would be around 6 AM - 10 AM. Largemouth bass and northern pike are in season all year round, but it would be ideal to practice angling here during late April and May. Freshwater fish species naturally thrive on warm temperatures, so fishing throughout June to mid-September is also ideal. Largemouth bass seeks protective covers in their habitat, so try checking out underneath the lily pads and other vegetation visible in the area. Younger basses like to travel in schools while adult ones can be more solitary. For northern pikes, on the other hand, May would be the best time for targeting them. Be sure to check out the Massachusetts freshwater fishing regulations beforehand so you would be more updated with the fish seasonalities and the limits you need to follow. 

All About Fishing in Cedar Swamp, MA

Cedar Swamp is one of the most important public recreation resources for hiking, canoeing, nature study, photography, hunting, and fishing in Massachusetts. Along with it being a habitat for woodchucks, weasels, deers, chipmunks, and blue herons, it is also a great fishing area for largemouth bass, which is the most popular catch here. With it being part of Sudbury River, you may also find other fish species such as chain pickerel, northern pike, common carp, and black crappie. You may also spot some catfish, bluegill, and white perch. The area is full of wet and overgrown trails, and to fish here means you have to be patient with algae and lily pads you may come across while angling. Note that you must also need a fishing license before angling here, especially if you are 14 years of age and above. People who are 15-17 years old can get their licenses for free, as well as people who are 70 years old and above. 

Ideal and popular fishing techniques used here are baitcasting, spinning, and sometimes ice fishing. You would need a canoe or kayak to effectively fish in the area. However, there are certain advisories you would need to keep in mind when angling here, especially when you are planning to eat your catch. The general public is advised to limit their fish consumption from the water body to only two meals per month due to the mercury contamination present within. Pregnant women, children under 12 years of age, women of childbearing ages, and nursing mothers are strictly prohibited from eating fish of all species that were caught from here and other neighboring waters, including Sudbury River.