North Nashua River is a River located in Worcester County, MA. Starting in Fitchburg, MA the North Nashua River flows 19 miles through Leominster, MA before ending in South Lancaster, MA. The North Nashua River rises to an elevation of 230 feet. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About North Nashua River, MA

The North Nashua River is located in the north of Massachusetts. West of Fitchburg and Westminster, the river rises from the Whitman River and Phillips Brook. The river flows 19.9 miles southeastward through Leominster State Forest and agricultural fields and links up with the South Nashua River at Lancaster about 5 miles below its consignment from the Wachusett Reservoir, forming the Nashua River.

The river was heavily used during the colonial period for the industry, resulting in pollution invading it around the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Most of the pollution was caused by paper mills and dyes that were used during that time, causing the river to discolor. Activist Marion Stoddart initiated the cleanup and treatment of the entire Nashua River, setting up eight treatment plants and upgrading existing ones with federal help.

Monoosnoc Brook, Phillips Brook, Wekepeke Brook, Fall Brook, Falulah or Baker Brook, Flag Brook, and Whitman River are part of North Nashua River’s tributaries. It secures discharges from the East Fitchburg and Leominster Wastewater Treatment Plants, as well as stormwater runoff from Leominster and Fitchburg cities.  

All About Fishing in North Nashua River, MA

The river watershed houses several cold-water streams which support native eastern brook trout that is dubbed as ‘the canary in the coal mine’ with regard to the river’s water quality. The Nashua River Watershed Association, through its Water Monitoring Program, maintains and improves the water quality of fisheries from threats such as stormwater runoff, stream fragmentation, sedimentation, and thermal pollution, and invasive water chestnut, all having a direct negative impact on sensitive fish species.

Though MassWildlife mainly stocks the Squannacook and Nissitissit Rivers, other parts of the watershed, including the North Nashua River, are also stocked with a variety of trout (rainbow, brown, and brook). Along with cold-water fisheries, bass (largemouth and smallmouth) fishermen also identify great angling spots in the watershed. Following the 

Division of Ecological Restoration’s restoration of the North Nashua River under its Urban River restoration program is now home to over 20 species of fish, including the common shiner, dace (blacknose and longnose), fallfish, and white sucker. It’s advised to look up advisories on fish consumption. One can also find pickerel, crappie, and sunfish in the river dam. 

The most common practice used in the river is baitcasting while on a boat or canoe and fly fishing. Fishing with waders is also allowed. A list of boat or canoe access sites can be acquired through the states’ Office of Fishing and Boating Access. Anglers are also recommended to look up freshwater fishing regulations, see if one needs a fishing license, and identify if there’s a daily limit or illegal possession for certain species. 

Fishing Seasonality

All-year round, one can fish for trout, pickerel, black bass, and other freshwater species with January through December being open season in Massachusetts. Most fishers prefer to cast during early dawn hours, mid-morning and during the early afternoon to dusk. A lot of fishers also prefer to fish during the fall as it gives them an opportunity to go angling freely as MassWildlife augments 500,000 fish from its spring stocking program.

Fishing Seasonality

All-year round, one can fish for trout, pickerel, black bass, and other freshwater species with January through December being open season in Massachusetts. Most fishers prefer to cast during early dawn hours, mid-morning and during the early afternoon to dusk. A lot of fishers also prefer to fish during the fall as it gives them an opportunity to go angling freely as MassWildlife augments 500,000 fish from its spring stocking program.

All About Fishing in North Nashua River, MA

The river watershed houses several cold-water streams which support native eastern brook trout that is dubbed as ‘the canary in the coal mine’ with regard to the river’s water quality. The Nashua River Watershed Association, through its Water Monitoring Program, maintains and improves the water quality of fisheries from threats such as stormwater runoff, stream fragmentation, sedimentation, and thermal pollution, and invasive water chestnut, all having a direct negative impact on sensitive fish species.

Though MassWildlife mainly stocks the Squannacook and Nissitissit Rivers, other parts of the watershed, including the North Nashua River, are also stocked with a variety of trout (rainbow, brown, and brook). Along with cold-water fisheries, bass (largemouth and smallmouth) fishermen also identify great angling spots in the watershed. Following the 

Division of Ecological Restoration’s restoration of the North Nashua River under its Urban River restoration program is now home to over 20 species of fish, including the common shiner, dace (blacknose and longnose), fallfish, and white sucker. It’s advised to look up advisories on fish consumption. One can also find pickerel, crappie, and sunfish in the river dam. 

The most common practice used in the river is baitcasting while on a boat or canoe and fly fishing. Fishing with waders is also allowed. A list of boat or canoe access sites can be acquired through the states’ Office of Fishing and Boating Access. Anglers are also recommended to look up freshwater fishing regulations, see if one needs a fishing license, and identify if there’s a daily limit or illegal possession for certain species.