Learn to Fish for Free this Summer

Celebrate the arrival of warm weather by attending one of the many Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) Angler Education Program events being held across the state this summer. Events are for adults, kids, and families who want to learn how to fish in a non-competitive environment. Fishing equipment and bait are available to use at most events, and no fishing license is required to participate. Most events are also free to attend. Find an event near you:

June 8: Spot Pond Family Fishing Festival, Stoneham– This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Spot Pond in Stoneham (located at the Straw Point area on the north end of Spot Pond off of New South Street) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Stoneham Police. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309.

June 9: Groton Greenway Riverfest, Groton – There will be a free family fishing clinic associated with this event. All equipment and bait will be provided at the Petapawag boat access area on the Nashua River from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309.

June 12: Family Fishing Clinic, Holden – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Trout Brook Conservation Area (354 Manning St), 6:30–8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Nashua River Watershed Association. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, contact Kathryn Nelson of the Nashua River Watershed Association at [email protected].

June 13: Family Fishing Clinic, Canton – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Reservoir Pond (92 Pleasant Street) from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Canton Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact Canton Recreation at www.cantonrec.com/info/activities/ to pre-register.

June 16: Endicott Park Family Fishing Festival, Danvers – This is a non-competitive, family-friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with Danvers Recreation at Endicott Park (57 Forest Street, Danvers) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a FREE event; however, all visitors are subject to a $1 resident vehicle or $3 non-resident vehicle user fee. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. Contact Erika Moretti at [email protected] or (978) 774-6518 for more information.

June 20: Adult “Learn to Fish”, Westborough – This is learn to fish clinic designed for adult beginners at Sandra Pond in Westborough (Upton Rd.) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Westborough Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact Westborough Recreation at www.westbororec.com/info/default.aspx or (508) 366-3066 for more information.

June 22: Great Meadows Family Fishing Festival, Sudbury – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This festival is in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service at the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex (73 Weir Hill Rd., Sudbury) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. Contact Jared Green at (978) 440-0280 or [email protected] for more information.

June 22: Jamaica Pond Family Fishing Derby, Boston – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Meet at the beach area along Pond Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Boston Police Department. Skip the line and register beforehand on Eventbrite (beginning on June 1) by searching for “Boston Police Fishing Derby.” Please bring your printed ticket with you. You can also register the day of the event from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. The Fishing Derby starts at 9 a.m. Food, prizes, giveaways, and more! *Open to the public. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309.

June 25: Family Fishing Clinic, Milton – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Turners Pond (Central Ave.) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Please contact the Milton Recreation Department at www.townofmilton.org/parks-recreation or (617) 898-4940 for more information.

June 27: Family Fishing Clinic, Swansea – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Lewin Brook Pond (corner of Main Street and Hortonville Road) from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Swansea Public Library. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact Carol Gafford at [email protected] or (508) 674-9609 for more information.

July 11: Family Fishing Clinic, Stoughton – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Ames Long Pond (1000 Highland St., Stoughton) from 5 to 7 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Stoughton Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact the Stoughton Recreation Department at www.Stoughtonrec.org or (781) 341-1300 x 9244 for more information.

July 13: Family Fishing Clinic, Sunderland – Learn how to fish at the Sunderland Riverside Park Grand Opening Celebration (School Street, Sunderland) from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Community Pathways Committee. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. Contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309 for more information.

July 17: Family Fishing Clinic, Billerica – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Nuttings Lake (Micozzi Beach at 586 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica) from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Billerica Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact the Billerica Recreation Department at billericama.myrec.com/info/activities/default.aspx or (978) 671-0921 for more information.

July 20: Family Fishing Clinic, Dorchester – This is a free “learn to cast” clinic at the Neponset River Festival at the DCR Neponset II Park. Meet at the corner of Granite Ave. & Hilltop St. in Dorchester from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. Contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309 for more information.

July 20: Houghtons Pond Family Fishing Festival, Milton – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event at Blue Hills Reservation (Picnic Area #5, Blue Hill River Rd., Milton) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. For more information, contact Maggie Brown of the Blue Hills Reservation at [email protected].

July 21: Taunton River Watershed Association Family Fishing Festival, Somerset – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event at the Village Waterfront Park (274 Main Street, Somerset) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with Taunton River Watershed Association and the Bristol County Agricultural School. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309.

July 23: Family Fishing Clinic, Stoneham – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Spot Pond in Stoneham (Straw Point Parking area at the corner of South St. and Main St.) from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Stoneham Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact the Stoneham Recreation Department at www.stonehamrec.com or (781) 279-2609 for more information.

July 24: Family Fishing Clinic, Westborough – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Sandra Pond (Westborough Reservoir on Upton Rd.) from 1 to 3 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Westborough Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. contact Westborough Recreation at www.westbororec.com/info/default.aspx or (508) 366-3066 for more information.

July 26: Family Fishing Clinic, Worcester – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Greenhill Park Pond in Worcester (180 Greenhill Parkway) from 6 to 8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Worcester Parks and Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact the Worcester Parks and Recreation office at [email protected] or (508) 799-1190 for more information.

July 31: Family Fishing Clinic, Mashpee – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Johns Pond in Mashpee (Johns Pond Park on Back Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Mashpee Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration is required. Contact the Mashpee Recreation Department at www.mashpeerec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx or (508) 539-1416 for more information.

September 7: Harold Parker State Forest Family Fishing Festival, Andover – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) at Sudden Pond in the Harold Parker State Forest (133 Jenkins Rd, Andover, MA 01810) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. *Open to the public. No pre-registration required. For more information, contact Jim Lagacy at [email protected] or (508) 389-6309.

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