LivewellMassachusetts · Arlington County · River
Alewife Brook and Little River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Alewife Brook and Little River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Massachusetts also has statewide guidance
Massachusetts publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Alewife Brook and Little River below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Alewife Brook and Little River
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
How to prepare fish from Alewife Brook and Little River
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Massachusetts's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 28" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Inland Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Massachusetts — Massachusetts DFW
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.0 mi Directions
- Spy Pond Boat Launch canoe launch 1.0 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.1 mi Directions
- Canoe / kayak launch canoe launch 1.4 mi Directions
- Blessing of the Bay Boat Ramp canoe launch 2.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.8 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.