Massachusetts
Charles River at Waltham
Current River Rating
Poor
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Low confidence
Estimated Conditions
Estimated from available current readings, weather, seasonal patterns, destination characteristics, and historical conditions. Some important on-water measurements may be unavailable.
Should I Go?
Consider
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Current conditions do not support a reliable fishing window.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 32.9 CFS
- Gage Height
- 0.81 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 6, 2026, 10:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01104500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Rain
Temperature
60°F
Feels like
61°F
Wind
6 mph N
Wind gust
15 mph
Current precipitation
0.02 in
Updated
Sep 6, 2026, 6:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.04 in
Last 24 hours
0.04 in
Last 48 hours
0.04 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sun 7 AM
Rain
Temp 59°F
Chance 30%
Precip 0.06 in
Wind 6 mph
Sun 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 62°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 68°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sun 7 PM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 11 PM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Mon 3 AM
Clear
Temp 55°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sun, Sep 6
Rain
High 69°F / Low 58°F
Chance 41%
Precip 0.12 in
Max gust 19 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Mostly clear
High 78°F / Low 54°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 61°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Wed, Sep 9
Drizzle
High 80°F / Low 62°F
Chance 25%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 35 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Charles River at Waltham, an accessible Greater Boston warmwater river node. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are primary targets, with common carp and yellow perch also present. USGS gage 01104500 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the Waltham gauge reach, not the tidal lower Basin or the entire Charles watershed.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Charles River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Charles River at Waltham, an accessible Greater Boston warmwater river node. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are primary targets, with common carp and yellow perch also present. USGS gage 01104500 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the Waltham gauge reach, not the tidal lower Basin or the entire Charles watershed.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Primary warmwater target on the Waltham Charles reach.
Source: MassWildlife
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Common carp are established in the urban Charles corridor.
Source: MassWildlife
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Common warmwater target on the Waltham Charles reach.
Source: MassWildlife
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Yellow perch are present in the Charles warmwater community.
Source: MassWildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Urban/suburban Charles River warmwater habitat at the Waltham corridor.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public path and park corridor access is extensive near Waltham; many banks remain private or closed. Confirm current municipal and MassWildlife guidance. Catalog coordinates are the USGS Waltham gage point.
Stocking information
Warmwater species are established in the Charles; do not assume routine trout stocking at Waltham. Confirm any current MassWildlife stockings on the official schedule.
Official sources
Urban-river and freshwater rules can change. Verify current MassWildlife and municipal guidance for the Waltham Charles reach before fishing.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Massachusetts
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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