What Town River Bay offers and when to fish it

Town River Bay is a shallow, protected estuary on Quincy's western shore where striped bass and flounder move through seasonally, and where you can wade or fish from a kayak without fighting heavy current. The bay sits between the Fore River to the north and the Weymouth Back River to the south, with depths rarely exceeding 8 to 10 feet at high tide. Spring and fall bring the most consistent action — stripers move through on their way to and from spawning grounds, and flounder settle into the deeper holes as water cools.

Summer can be productive early and late in the day when water temperatures stay manageable, but midday heat often pushes fish into the deepest channels. Winter fishing is possible but slow; most anglers focus on other Quincy spots during the coldest months. The bay's real advantage is access — you can fish it from shore in several places without a boat, and the shallow water means you're never far from fish when they're present.

Key Takeaways

  • Town River Bay holds striped bass in spring and fall, and flounder year-round in the deeper channels and holes.
  • Wading and kayak fishing work well here because depths stay shallow and current is minimal compared to the main harbor.
  • The best access points are along Furnace Brook Parkway on the western shore, where parking and foot access are straightforward.
  • Live mackerel, eels, and soft plastics in the 3- to 4-inch range produce consistently; work the deeper holes and channel edges where fish hold.

Access points and parking along the shore

Furnace Brook Parkway runs along the western edge of Town River Bay and offers the most reliable shore access. There is a small parking area near the intersection of Furnace Brook Parkway and Quincy Avenue where you can leave your vehicle and walk down to the water. The walk is short — less than a quarter mile — and the shoreline here is mostly open with a mix of sand and mud bottom.

If you're launching a kayak, this same area works, though the launch is informal and you'll need to carry your boat to the water. The bay bottom is soft in places, so wear boots or wading shoes. At high tide, you can wade out 100 yards or more before depths exceed 5 feet. Low tide exposes mudflats and makes wading less productive, so plan your trip for the two hours before and after high water.

Street parking along Furnace Brook Parkway itself is available but limited. Arrive early on weekends, especially in spring when other anglers are also targeting stripers. There is no formal boat ramp in Town River Bay itself, but Squantum Point in nearby Weymouth has a public ramp if you want to launch a larger boat and fish the bay from deeper water.

Seasonal patterns and what to expect month by month

April through May brings the spring striper run. Fish move through the bay on their way to spawning grounds in the Weymouth Back River and beyond. Water temperatures climb from the low 50s to the mid-60s, and stripers become active feeders. Early morning and late evening are most productive, but you can catch fish throughout the day if you work the deeper holes and channel edges. Live mackerel and eels work best; if you're using artificials, 3- to 4-inch soft plastics in natural colors produce steadily.

June through August is slower overall. Water temperatures climb into the 70s, and stripers move to deeper, cooler water or leave the bay entirely. Flounder, however, settle into the deeper holes and stay put. Fish early in the morning or after sunset when water is coolest. Soft plastics and live baitfish both work, but you need to fish the deepest parts of the bay — the channel running north-south through the middle and the holes near the Fore River inlet.

September and October bring the fall striper migration. Water cools back into the 60s and then the 50s, and stripers return to the bay in numbers. This is often the best fishing of the year. Fish are aggressive and less selective about bait. Eels and mackerel work, and so do topwater plugs and larger soft plastics. The entire bay becomes productive, not just the deep holes.

November through March is quiet. Some flounder remain in the deepest holes, and occasional stripers pass through, but consistent action is rare. Most local anglers move to other spots during winter.

Species, bait, and tackle that work here

Striped bass are the primary target in spring and fall. They range from schoolie-sized fish (18 to 24 inches) to fish in the 30-inch range, with occasional larger fish. Live mackerel and eels are the most reliable baits. If you're using artificials, 3- to 4-inch soft plastics rigged on 1/4-ounce jig heads work well, as do topwater plugs in low-light conditions. A 7-foot medium-action spinning rod with 15- to 20-pound braid and a fluorocarbon leader handles the shallow water and occasional larger fish.

Flounder are present year-round but most abundant in summer and fall. They hold in the deeper holes and along channel edges, where they ambush baitfish. Live or fresh-dead mackerel, squid, and small mullet work best. Fish on the bottom with a simple sinker rig or a jig and soft plastic. A 6- to 7-foot medium spinning rod with 12- to 15-pound braid is sufficient. Flounder here run 12 to 18 inches on average, with occasional fish pushing 20 inches.

Tackle does not need to be heavy. The bay is shallow and current is light, so a basic setup works. Bring extra leaders and rigs — the soft bottom and occasional structure mean you'll lose a few. A headlamp is useful if you plan to fish early morning or evening, and polarized sunglasses help you spot fish in the shallow water during the day.

Tides, currents, and how to read the water

Town River Bay is tidally influenced but not strongly current-driven. High tide brings water in from the main harbor, and low tide drains it out, but the flow is gentle compared to the Fore River or the main Quincy channel. The bay fills and empties roughly every six hours, with the strongest water movement occurring during the first and last hours of the tide change.

Fish are most active during the moving tide — either the incoming or outgoing flow — because baitfish are displaced and feeding becomes easier. Slack water (the period between tides when current stops) can be slow. Plan your fishing around tide changes rather than fishing through slack periods. A tide table for Boston Harbor applies here; check it before you go.

The deeper holes and the channel running through the middle of the bay hold fish at all tide stages, but they're most concentrated during slack water. The shallower edges and flats are productive only at high tide when water depth allows fish to hunt there. At low tide, focus on the channel and the deepest holes.

Rules, regulations, and what you need to know

Massachusetts saltwater fishing does not require a license for residents or visitors fishing from shore or wading. If you're fishing from a boat, the boat owner must have a saltwater fishing registration. Check the current Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries regulations for size and bag limits on striped bass and flounder — these change annually and vary by season.

Striped bass have a minimum size of 18 inches and a daily limit that varies by season (typically one fish per day during spring and fall, zero during summer). Flounder have a minimum size of 12 inches and a daily limit of 10 fish. Possession limits are the same as daily limits. Regulations are posted on the Mass.gov website under Division of Marine Fisheries.

Town River Bay is open to public fishing, but respect private property along the shore. Stick to the public access areas and do not trespass on residential land. Leave no trash, and pack out what you pack in.

Nearby alternatives if Town River Bay is crowded or slow

If Town River Bay is not producing, Squantum Point in Weymouth is a short drive away and offers deeper water and different structure. The Fore River, which borders Town River Bay to the north, holds stripers and holds them well, though current is stronger and access is more limited. Wollaston Beach in Quincy is another option for stripers in spring and fall, though it's more exposed and requires heavier tackle.

The Weymouth Back River, which feeds Town River Bay from the south, is worth exploring if you have a kayak. It's shallower and more protected than the bay itself, and it holds stripers during the spring and fall runs. Access is limited from shore, but paddling up the river from the bay is straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fish Town River Bay at low tide?

You can, but it's less productive. Low tide exposes mudflats and reduces water depth in the shallows, pushing fish into the deeper channel and holes. High tide and the two hours around it are your best windows. If you must fish at low tide, focus on the deepest parts of the bay.

Do I need a boat to fish Town River Bay?

No. The shore access along Furnace Brook Parkway is good, and wading works well at high tide. A kayak is useful if you want to reach deeper water or explore the Weymouth Back River, but it's not necessary for consistent fishing from shore.

What's the best time of year to fish here?

April through May and September through October are the most productive. Spring and fall striper migrations bring active fish to the bay. Summer is slower but still possible early and late in the day. Winter fishing is rare and usually slow.

Are there any hazards I should know about?

The bottom is soft mud in places, so wear wading boots. Watch for soft spots where you can sink. The water is brackish and can be murky, so wade carefully and know the depth before you move. Boat traffic is light but present, especially near the Fore River inlet.

What size fish should I expect?

Stripers range from schoolies (18 to 24 inches) to fish in the 30-inch range, with occasional larger fish. Flounder average 12 to 18 inches, with some pushing 20 inches. Both species are catchable year-round, but numbers and size are best during the spring and fall migrations.