Nissitissit River

Photos

Overview

The Nissitissit River flows south out of New Hampshire into Pepperell, where it joins the Nashua River. MassWildlife designates the nearly two-mile stretch from the New Hampshire border down to the Prescott Street bridge as a catch-and-release, fly-fishing-only area. The 600-acre Nissitissit River WMA protects forest and wetland along the river.

Fishing

MassWildlife stocks trout every spring and fall, and Cast The Water's MassWildlife records show a stocking on Oct. 8, 2026. Excellent water quality and cool temperatures support trout in all but the hottest summer months, when fish move to deep pools and cooler tributaries. Some sections and tributaries hold wild brook trout.

Species

Trout (stocked and wild brook trout), white sucker, common shiner, yellow bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and American eel, plus an impressive variety of freshwater mussels (MassWildlife).

Techniques

Fly fishing only in the catch-and-release section. In summer, look for trout in deep pools and near cool tributaries (MassWildlife).

Seasons

Trout stockings come in spring and fall. Trout hold through all but the hottest summer months.

Regulations

Catch-and-release, fly-fishing-only rules apply from the NH border to the Prescott Street bridge in Pepperell (MassWildlife). MassWildlife freshwater fishing regulations apply: https://www.mass.gov/freshwater-fishing-regulations. Confirm current seasons, limits and any special rules there; this page is not a legal source.

Licensing

Anglers 15 and older need a Massachusetts fishing license (MassWildlife).

Access

Most access is through the Nissitissit River WMA in Pepperell. MassWildlife publishes a WMA map and catch-and-release area information.

Activities

Fly fishing, plus birding in the 600-acre WMA: listen for common yellowthroats, yellow warblers and chickadees, and watch for bald eagles (MassWildlife).

Water facts

Tributary of the Nashua River. The catch-and-release section is about 2 miles long. Town: Pepperell, Middlesex County.

Safety & advisories

Clean all boats and gear before moving between waters to stop aquatic hitchhikers (MassWildlife; see ProtectYourWaters.net).

Nearby waters

• Heald Pond · 5.7 km (MA)
• Massapoag Pond · 5.8 km (MA)
• Baddacook Pond · 6.6 km (MA)
• Nissitissit River · 8.1 km (NH)
• Lost Lake · 9.2 km (MA)
• Duck Pond · 9.8 km (MA)

More in Middlesex

• Squannacook River (MA)
• Baddacook Pond (MA)
• Knops Pond (MA)
• Althea Lake (MA)
• Barkers Pond (MA)
• Concord River (MA)