Trout & Salmon
Landlocked Salmon Fishing in Massachusetts
A freshwater form of Atlantic salmon, native to a few Maine river basins and stocked in deep, cold lakes across Maine and New Hampshire. Landlocks feed on smelt near the surface in spring and fall, when streamers and smelt-like lures work best.
- Waters
- 1
- State
- Massachusetts
- Water
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Fly, Spin & Bait
Prime Months in Massachusetts: Apr to May
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From the agency months on 1 Massachusetts water: Quabbin Reservoir.
Highlighted months are the best fishing; the other months are slower, not empty.
What to Use for Landlocked Salmon
Fishing In
Landlocked Salmon
Prime: Apr to May
Fly
9 ft 6 wt rod, intermediate or sink-tip line, 8 to 10 lb leader for trolled or cast smelt streamers. Floating line with dries and nymphs in rivers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodOrvis Clearwater 9 ft 6 wt Fly RodCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 6 wt.Check Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly BuggerOlive or black.See Options
Spin / Cast
7 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb line with smelt-pattern spoons. Lead core line or a downrigger in summer.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 7 ft medium, 6 to 15 lb, 1 pieceCheck Price
- ReelPflueger Trion Spinning Reel · size 25Check Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 6 or 8 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.
- Lure for October · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbaitTrolled.See Options
- Lure for October · 3 to 4.5 inTrolling SpoonSmelt colors.See Options
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Licenses & Regulations
Most anglers need a Massachusetts fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state. Seasons, limits, and tackle rules vary by water, so check current regulations before you go.
Where to Catch Landlocked Salmon
1 of 1 waters
Shops to Stock Up
Bait & Tackle
Big Fat Tackle - Tuna & Big Game Harpoons, Gaffs, Darts, Rod Holders
Newburyport, Massachusetts