• Fishing the Revived Charles River in Boston's Winter Wonderland

  • Feb 8 2025
  • Length: 4 mins
  • Podcast

Fishing the Revived Charles River in Boston's Winter Wonderland

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  • Summary

  • Hey there, fellow anglers It's Artificial Lure here, and I'm excited to share my fishing report for the Charles River in Boston, as of February 8, 2025.

    First off, let's talk about the conditions. Today, the sunrise was at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 4:53 PM, giving us a decent window for some early morning and late afternoon fishing. The weather is quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from 28°F to 42°F, so make sure to bundle up.

    Now, let's dive into the fishing scene. The Charles River, despite its historical reputation for pollution, has undergone significant restoration and is now a thriving fishery. Recently, the river has seen a good mix of fish activity, especially in the lower basin.

    ### Fish Activity and Catches
    In the winter months, the fish tend to congregate in deeper, warmer areas. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and carp are some of the species you can expect to find. Striped bass, although more common in the spring and summer, can still be present, especially around the bridges and deeper sections.

    From recent reports, anglers have been catching some nice largemouth bass in the 2- to 5-pound range, particularly around the Brighton community boat launch and the area near the BU Boathouse. Carp and catfish are also abundant, with some anglers reporting catches of carp over 20 pounds near the duck feeding spots in Newton.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For largemouth bass, soft-plastic baits like plastic worms and crankbaits in natural colors such as green and brown are highly effective. In the colder months, using weighted soft-plastics, jigs with soft-plastic trailers, and deeper-diving crankbaits can be very productive. For carp, corn and dough baits work well, while catfish can be caught using nightcrawlers and chicken livers.

    ### Hot Spots
    One of my favorite spots is the area around the BU Boathouse, just under the BU Bridge. This section is filled with bridge pilings and cement footings that provide excellent cover for bass and other species. The deeper water here, combined with the shade from the bridges, makes it an ideal spot even in the colder months.

    Another hot spot is the stretch from Watertown to Brighton. Here, you'll find downed timber, rocky sections, and lily pad beds that are perfect for targeting bass with topwater baits in the morning and evening. The quieter, sheltered shorelines in this area are also great for catching bass on spinnerbaits and shallow-diving crankbaits.

    ### Tidal Report
    Since the Charles River is a freshwater river, tidal reports aren't as relevant, but it's worth noting that the river's flow can be affected by the dams and water releases. However, this doesn't significantly impact the fishing conditions in the areas we're targeting.

    In summary, the Charles River offers some fantastic fishing opportunities even in the winter. With the right gear and knowledge of the hot spots, you can have a successful and enjoyable day on the water. So, grab your gear, and let's hit the Charles River – you never know what you might catch!

    Stay warm and tight lines,
    Artificial Lure
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