Local Waters
Joppa Flats (Merrimack)
Newburyport, MA · about 40 min from Portsmouth (typical, off-peak)
South bank of the Merrimack mouth without a boat.
Salt River / stream Lake / pond Shop (desk) Guide only Parking Stay State access Private — ask first
- Season
- Harvest is year-round on paper (28" to under 31", one fish). Schoolies are the usual fly fish here in season. Confirm current DMF rules. Official rule
- License
- Massachusetts saltwater permit
- Park
- OFBA Merrimack River (Joppa Flats) lot. Small. Cashman Park is the big trailer lot if this one is full.
- Walk in
- Short walk to the flats and river edge.
- Wading
- Mud and current. Tide covers the flats fast.
- Usual window
- Moving water. Incoming over the flats is the usual fly tide.
- Tuesday conditions
-
NNW 3 mph around dawn. Fine to go.
- Sky
- ⛅ 83° partly
- Sun and moon
- Rise 5:59 · 🌔 Waxing gibbous · Set 7:32
- Wind at dawn
- NNW 3 mph onshore · Mostly Clear · 63°F
- Wind later
-
- dawn: NNW 3 mph
- 10am: N 2 mph
- 2pm: WNW 2 mph
- dusk: WNW 3 mph
- Tide
- Low 4:37 am (0.8 ft) · High 10:27 am (6.9 ft) · Low 4:44 pm (1.3 ft) · High 10:42 pm (8.2 ft) Best moving water is the three hours into 10:27 am high. · Newburyport
- A setup that belongs here
- 8-wt, crab, Clouser, small baitfish.
- Notes
- OFBA shore access. Refuge and private marsh nearby — stay on the public edge. Confirm MassWildlife / DMF.
Soft mud and a pushing tide. Do not wander into closed refuge marsh.
Log this trip
Private. On this phone, and in your test book if you signed in on Journal.
Shops
Guides
Shop desks, plus a few independents who fish public water. We do not take a cut. Call them.
Concord Outfitters — book a day
Concord, MA · wade / shore · Half or full day — ask the shop
Good for: MetroWest rivers and ponds, first local trout day
Shop desk, not a scraped independent. Call them; they put you with someone they trust.