The state allows free freshwater fishing at any public freshwater lake, pond, reservoir, river or stream statewide from 12 a.m. Saturday, June 6 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, June 7.
So it’s a good time to get out and explore Natick’s many bodies of water, including Dug Pond, the Charles River (including at the South Natick Dam), Lake Cochituate, all of which the state stocks with trout. Pickerel Pond is also a great place to fish and hike.
A license is required at all other times if you’re 15 or older. If you’re 15–17 or 70 and older, your license is free.
Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, trout stocking, and angler education programs. Buy your fishing license here. For saltwater anglers, Free Saltwater Fishing Weekend is June 20–21.
Natick retailers such as Natick Outdoor Store and Dick’s Sporting Goods are open for curbside pickup, by the way.
Just be careful of eating the fish from some areas of the Charles River!
I recall when we first moved here seeing signs near the dam that stated pregnant women should refrain from eating fish caught in that area of the Charles. While the sign didn’t speak to me, as a non-pregnant guy, I wasn’t letting those fish anywhere near my mouth…