LivewellMassachusetts · Tyngsborough County · River
Merrimack River (from the MA/NH state line to Broadway Dam in Lawrence)
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Merrimack River (from the MA/NH state line to Broadway Dam in Lawrence), by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, 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 Merrimack River (from the MA/NH state line to Broadway Dam in Lawrence) 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 Merrimack River (from the MA/NH state line to Broadway Dam in Lawrence)
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 Mercury and PFAS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
White Sucker
| 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 Mercury and PFAS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury 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 Mercury and PFAS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
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 1.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.2 mi Directions
- Lake Mascuppic Access boat ramp 3.0 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.4 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.