in the Merrimack River

The Run Water Height Typical Shad Rig Starts in mid-late April; really turns on Use Ducks Bridge water gauge in when water temp hits 50°F (usually Lawrence to determine amount of 1st week of May). Excellent catching freshwater coming down the river. through about the 3rd week of June. Merrimacport tide station best used to for Rocks Village (high tide approx. MA Shad Regulations 1:20 later than river mouth). Year-round season. Maximum of 3 fish/day in the Merrimack and Gear rivers and their Dress warm (neoprene waders or tributaries. All other MA rivers are quality wading undergarments) in catch-and-release only. Unsure about early season. Felt or studded boots a saltwater catches. Need saltwater must. Consider a wading staff and license to fish downstream of first I- inflatable PFD for safety. 495 bridge in Haverhill; need freshwater license to fish upstream of Tackle same bridge. Rods designed for medium-light bass or /steelhead are best; ensure MA Sportfishing Awards Program the rod has a soft tip. Lines and Can enter with a 22” shad (catch-and- leader range from 6 lb – 8 lb. Inline release category) and/or a 5 lb shad weights range from 1/8 oz – 5/8 oz, (adults) or 3 lb shad (youths to 17 with 3/8 oz being the most common. y/o) in catch-and-keep category. Surfland carries a large selection of Bronze pin awarded with entry. Gold shad tackle. pin to angler with largest catch. Lure Choices Where to Fish? Flutterspoons ranging from size #00 “Rocks Village” (Ferry Park) in West to #3, with #1 and #2 being the most Newbury. “Spiro’s” (Chippendale’s common. Shad darts range from tiny Dance Studio) in North Andover. 1/32 oz to roughly 1/4 oz in the “The Dam” (Pemberton Park) in freshwater Merrimack. Remember Lawrence. that lead darts are not allowed above the first I-495 bridge. Other spin- When to Fish? casting lure options include the jig- Cast across current and allow to The Dam and Spiro’s are not tide and-grub, small tube plastics and swing while retrieving only fast dependent, so they are available to even flies. enough to keep lure near the bottom. fish anytime. Rock’s Village is Try some wrist twitches and even affected by the tide, and is best fished Lure Colors some exaggerated jigging until you from high tide down. Have a variety, but chartreuse / fl. find what works. Change lure green is a great color combo. Others weights, inline weights and where Effects of Wind include fl. (hot) pink and chartreuse, you splash down to deal with Heavy wind can make an outing very red & white and all fl. (hot) pink. changing current speed and/or depth. difficult. Use this table when Unpainted nickel blades with gold planning where to fish: hooks can be good at times. Please Come!

Distance Tips Use a rod over 8’. Use braided line. “Rocks Village” Cleanup Don’t use a tiny spinning reel. Use Saturday, 4/21/18 tungsten weights. Downsize your lure 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM (wind resistance). Use a longer leader - Coffee & donuts provided “drop”. Slow down and smooth out - Cleanup supplies provided

your cast.