LivewellMassachusetts · Boston County · River
Charles River (between the South Natick Dam in Natick and the Museum of…
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Charles River (between the South Natick Dam in Natick and the Museum of…, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs, Pesticides, PFAS
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 Charles River (between the South Natick Dam in Natick and the Museum of… 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 Charles River (between the South Natick Dam in Natick and the Museum of…
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB, Pesticides and PFAS. |
| 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, Pesticides and PFAS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | 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, Pesticides and PFAS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 2 meals per year due to elevated PCB, Pesticides and PFAS. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to 2 meals per year due to elevated PCB, Pesticides and PFAS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
How to prepare fish from Charles River (between the South Natick Dam in Natick and the Museum of…
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.
Pesticides
- 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
- Canoe / kayak launch canoe launch 2.5 mi Directions
- Lake Winthrop Shorefishing Area boat ramp 3.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.