About Mill River, MA

Mill River is located in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. It is a tributary of the dam-free and scenic Taunton River. The river is 4 miles long and flows from Lake Sabbatia. 

In 1921, the Mill River was considered not viable for fishing based on the alewife, a fish species that once spawned in this river in great numbers. Because the river can no longer sustain life, it was declared unsuitable for future fisheries. However, thanks to the overflowing concern and hard work from various communities, partnerships, and watershed alliances, life in the river slowly came back.

Life in the river was seen coming back in 2018 when the alewife fish spawned once again. The following year, there were 7,000 river herring that ran in Mill River during the migration season and the numbers grew even more in 2020 where over 13,000 river herring graced it. The main thing that made this possible is removing three obsolete dams and constructing a fish ladder on the fourth.

All About Fishing in Mill River, MA

Beautification is continuously being done in Mill River. The former industrial site near the river was converted into a beautiful park that features a boat and kayak ramp, a thousand-foot-long waterfront walkway, and a fishing pier. 

Mill River is open for public fishing- although, you must be mindful of the rules and regulations. The different fish species that can be caught here include alewife, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, river herring, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, and different kinds of trout. 

The most important thing that you should keep in mind if you are aiming to get a bite from a bullhead catfish in Mill River is that it loves baits. It likes the nightcrawler the most that it will eagerly attack this bait. Other top baits that can be used to catch a bullhead catfish include chicken liver, worms, cheese, dough balls, and even hotdog slices. 

On the other hand, if you are looking to catch a pumpkinseed, the best fishing technique during the early season is fly fishing. This fish particularly loves small red and white, yellow and black, and black and white popping bugs, brown nymph flies, and brown rubber spiders. 

If you are after catching a bass such as the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, note that they feed on small live animals. They eat insects, larvae, and small fish. Once they are fully grown, their diet would also include frogs, mice, and bumblebees. Thus, baitcasting is the best fishing technique to catch one. 

Fishing Seasonality

The bullhead catfish can be fished all year long. However, the best time to catch these fish species starts during spring, when the water becomes warmer; this is because their metabolism goes back to normal, and they become more active in seeking food. 

On the other hand, popular seasonal fish for anglers is the pumpkinseed, a type of sunfish. This type of fish feeds when the sun is out because of the warmer water temperatures. Its season is from the end of May up to the end of June, wherein they can be seen swimming in shallows and are often caught in weedy edges. Anglers have the best chance of catching it in the morning, but anyone can catch pumpkinseed almost any time of the day or night.

Fishing Seasonality

The bullhead catfish can be fished all year long. However, the best time to catch these fish species starts during spring, when the water becomes warmer; this is because their metabolism goes back to normal, and they become more active in seeking food. 

On the other hand, popular seasonal fish for anglers is the pumpkinseed, a type of sunfish. This type of fish feeds when the sun is out because of the warmer water temperatures. Its season is from the end of May up to the end of June, wherein they can be seen swimming in shallows and are often caught in weedy edges. Anglers have the best chance of catching it in the morning, but anyone can catch pumpkinseed almost any time of the day or night.

All About Fishing in Mill River, MA

Beautification is continuously being done in Mill River. The former industrial site near the river was converted into a beautiful park that features a boat and kayak ramp, a thousand-foot-long waterfront walkway, and a fishing pier. 

Mill River is open for public fishing- although, you must be mindful of the rules and regulations. The different fish species that can be caught here include alewife, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, river herring, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, and different kinds of trout. 

The most important thing that you should keep in mind if you are aiming to get a bite from a bullhead catfish in Mill River is that it loves baits. It likes the nightcrawler the most that it will eagerly attack this bait. Other top baits that can be used to catch a bullhead catfish include chicken liver, worms, cheese, dough balls, and even hotdog slices. 

On the other hand, if you are looking to catch a pumpkinseed, the best fishing technique during the early season is fly fishing. This fish particularly loves small red and white, yellow and black, and black and white popping bugs, brown nymph flies, and brown rubber spiders. 

If you are after catching a bass such as the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, note that they feed on small live animals. They eat insects, larvae, and small fish. Once they are fully grown, their diet would also include frogs, mice, and bumblebees. Thus, baitcasting is the best fishing technique to catch one.