Where to Launch a Small Boat for Striped Bass Fishing in Manchester, Ma

Manchester, Massachusetts is pretty well-known if not notorious for its reluctant attitude towards out-of-towners looking to enjoy its beaches and shorelines. And probably with good reason. A major commuter rail stops in the center of town; during summer, almost hourly trains deposit hundreds of beachgoers in Manchester center. Inevitably they flock, on foot, to the town's best-known beach, Singing Beach.

So Manchester's selectmen passed a well-known and much-maligned ordinance that now out-of-town of town visitors to pay a nominal fee to visit the beach, which happens to lie within easy walking distance of the train station. And so Manchester residents now have to carry, attached to their bathing suits or stashed in their beach bags, a pin which proves they are residents with the right to visit the beach for free.

That said, the town's attitude towards out of town fishing visitors is a little more complex. Like most ramps in Massachusetts, Manchester's boat ramp was built with a combination of state and local funds. So while you can use the boat ramp for free, parking in the town lot can be tricky. Sometimes the parking is free. At other times, it's restricted to town residents. The regulations change seasonally, and according to who grumpy local residents are come time to add articles to the town warrant at town meeting.

So the fisherman looking to launch a kayak, center-consoler, tin skiff or other small boat into Manchester harbor can often, but not always park to launch here. Striped bass, flounder, inshore cod and pollock fishermen then (don't forget that a $10 saltwater fishing license is required in Massachusetts) will find a good trailer ramp and public parking here. You typically won't encounter problems during the late spring and early fall.

Carry down the asphalt ramp for a fifteen-minute paddle to inner Manchester Harbor, the eel grass flats, the Ram Island Sluice, etc.

At low tide the bottom of the ramp is slick, giving way to an abrupt dropoff. Don't be turned off by the color of the water near the ramp. The discoloration is caused by freshwater runoff from the freshwater dam that leads to streams inland.

Paddle beneath the train bridge, turn south, then head downchannel through Manchester Harbor to Ram and House Islands, Whaleback Ledge, Halftide Rock, the Misery Islands, etc.

Be mindful of the narrow boat channel as it passes Crocker's Boat Yard, Tucks Point and the Manchester Yacht Club. The channel, clearly marked with red runs and green cans, gets crowded on weekends.

Lat 42 34'28.16"N
Long 70 46'21.13"W