What You'll Find at Maudslay

Maudslay State Park sits on the Merrimack River just south of Newburyport, where the river widens into brackish water before it meets the Atlantic. The park gives you access to a stretch of river that holds striped bass, bluefish, and seasonal runs of shad and herring. The water here is tidal—your fishing window shifts with the moon and the calendar, and knowing that shift is the difference between a productive morning and an empty cooler.

The park itself is 84 acres of salt marsh, river frontage, and walking trails. You can fish from the shore in several spots, and the river bottom here is a mix of mud and sand with deeper channels that hold fish during slack water. The Merrimack at this point is wide enough that you're not fighting current the way you would upstream, but narrow enough that you can read the water and predict where stripers will hold.

Key Takeaways

  • Maudslay gives you river access without a boat, with best fishing during the two hours around high tide when stripers move into shallower water.
  • Spring (April through May) brings shad and herring runs; summer (June through August) is striped bass and bluefish; fall (September through October) is the strongest striper bite of the year.
  • Parking is at the main lot off Route 110; from there, walk the trails to reach the river—the closest access is about a quarter-mile walk.
  • The park charges a day-use fee (currently $5 for Massachusetts residents, $7 for out-of-state), and you'll need a Massachusetts fishing license to keep anything you catch.

Seasonal Patterns and What Bites When

Spring fishing at Maudslay runs from mid-April through May. Shad move upriver to spawn, and they'll take small shad-pattern plugs or spoons worked along the deeper edges of the channel. Herring follow the same pattern a few weeks later. Both species are here for a narrow window—if you miss it, you're waiting until next year. The water is still cold, so fish are sluggish early in the morning; your best window is mid-morning through early afternoon when the sun has warmed the shallows.

Summer (June through August) shifts to striped bass and bluefish. The stripers here are mostly schoolies—fish in the 18- to 28-inch range—but you'll occasionally hook something in the 35- to 40-inch class. They hunt the deeper channels during the day and move into the shallows to feed at dawn, dusk, and during the night. Bluefish arrive in July and stay through August; they're aggressive and will hit almost anything that moves, but they're also hard on tackle and will cut through monofilament. Use wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon if you're targeting them.

Fall (September through October) is the strongest bite of the year. Stripers are feeding hard before the water cools, and they're bigger than the summer schoolies—fish in the 30- to 45-inch range are common. The water temperature is dropping, which makes the fish more active. High tide is still your best window, but the bite can extend an hour or two longer than it does in summer. By November, the water is cold enough that fishing slows considerably, and by December most anglers have moved to other spots.

How to Fish the Tides

The Merrimack at Maudslay is tidal, which means the water level rises and falls twice a day. High tide is when the river is fullest and the current is slowest—this is when stripers move into the shallows to hunt. Slack water (the moment between high tide and the start of the outgoing current) is the sweet spot. Fish bite most aggressively during the two hours around high tide, and the bite drops off sharply once the current picks up.

You can find tide times for Newburyport on NOAA's tide prediction website or through most fishing apps. Plan your trip so you arrive an hour before high tide and fish through the slack. If you're fishing in the evening, aim for the high tide that occurs closest to sunset—the light is low, the water is warming from the day, and the fish are feeding. Morning high tides are productive too, but the bite is usually stronger in the evening.

The outgoing tide (ebb) is fishable but slower. The current pushes water out toward the ocean, and stripers will hold in the deeper channels rather than move into the shallows. If you're stuck with an ebb tide, focus on the channel edges and any structure—rocks, pilings, or drop-offs—where fish can hold without fighting the current.

Access Points and Where to Cast

The main parking lot is on Route 110, just south of Newburyport center. From there, several trails lead to the river. The closest access is the trail that runs along the eastern edge of the park—it's about a quarter-mile walk and brings you to a section of river with good depth and a sandy bottom. This is a solid spot for stripers and bluefish, especially during high tide when the water pushes up into the shallows.

A second access point is further along the same trail, where you'll find a wider section of river with deeper channels. This spot is better during the slack and early ebb, when fish are holding in the deeper water. The walking trail itself is well-maintained and marked, so you won't get lost, but wear shoes with good grip—the ground can be muddy, especially in spring.

The park also has a small boat launch if you want to fish from a kayak or small skiff, though most shore anglers don't need it. The shore access is good enough for stripers and bluefish, and you avoid the hassle of launching and retrieving a boat.

What Tackle and Bait to Bring

For striped bass, bring a medium-weight spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) spooled with 15- to 20-pound braided line. Stripers have good eyesight, so use a 2- to 3-foot fluorocarbon leader (20- to 30-pound test) between the braid and your lure. Plugs and spoons work well—try 2- to 3-inch shad-pattern plugs in silver or natural colors, or 1- to 2-ounce spoons in chrome or gold. Cast along the channel edges and work the lure with a steady retrieve, pausing occasionally to let it drop.

For bluefish, use the same rod but bump up to 30-pound braided line and a wire or heavy fluorocarbon leader—bluefish have sharp teeth and will cut through lighter material. They're less picky about lure choice; they'll hit plugs, spoons, and even soft plastics. Cast and retrieve steadily; bluefish hunt by sight and sound, so a fast, erratic retrieve often triggers strikes.

Live bait (mackerel, herring, or mullet) works if you want to fish the deeper channels during slack water. Use a simple rig: a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook, a 2-foot fluorocarbon leader, and a small split shot to keep the bait near the bottom. Cast and let the bait sit; stripers will find it. Circle hooks are better than J-hooks because they hook the fish in the corner of the mouth rather than deep in the throat, and they're easier to remove if you're catch-and-release fishing.

Regulations and What You Need to Know

Massachusetts requires a fishing license for anyone 16 and older who keeps fish. You can buy a one-day license online through the MassWildlife website or at most tackle shops in Newburyport. The cost varies depending on residency, but a one-day non-resident license is usually around $10 to $15.

Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily limit of one fish per angler in Massachusetts. Bluefish have no minimum size and a daily limit of 10 fish. Shad and herring have their own seasons and limits—check the current MassWildlife regulations before you go, because these can change year to year. The park itself charges a day-use fee (currently $5 for residents, $7 for out-of-state), and parking is included.

The park is open sunrise to sunset. There's no night fishing allowed, so plan your trips around daylight hours. The trails are open year-round, but the river is most productive from April through October.

Getting There and What to Bring

Maudslay is on Route 110, about 2 miles south of Newburyport center. If you're coming from I-95, take Exit 57 onto Route 113 east, then turn south on Route 110. The main parking lot is on your right; it holds about 30 cars and is usually not crowded except on weekends in fall. There's a small fee to park, which you pay at the entrance station.

Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray—the salt marsh can be buggy in summer and early fall. Wear polarized sunglasses so you can see fish in the shallows. The trails are muddy in spring and after rain, so wear boots or shoes with good grip. If you're fishing in the evening, bring a headlamp so you can find your way back to the parking lot after dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish at Maudslay without a boat?

Yes. The shore access is good, and you can reach productive water from the walking trails. Most anglers fish from shore here, and the stripers and bluefish are close enough to the bank that you don't need a boat to catch them.

What's the best time of day to fish Maudslay?

The two hours around high tide are best, especially the hour before and the hour after. If you can only fish in the evening, aim for the high tide closest to sunset. Morning high tides work too, but the evening bite is usually stronger.

Do I need a boat launch permit to fish from a kayak?

The park has a small boat launch, and you can use it with a day-use pass. No separate permit is needed. If you're bringing a kayak, arrive early because the launch area is small and can get crowded on weekends.

What should I do if I hook a large striper?

Keep your rod tip up and let the drag do the work—don't horse the fish. Stripers are strong and will run hard, especially in the current. If you're catch-and-release fishing, keep the fight short so the fish doesn't exhaust itself. Wet your hands before handling it, and release it head-first into the current so water flows over its gills.

Is Maudslay good for beginners?

Yes. The shore access is easy, the water is readable, and the fish are there. Start with plugs or spoons rather than live bait—they're simpler to fish and you'll learn faster. Fish during high tide, cast along the channel edges, and be patient. You'll catch something.