Massachusetts
Swift River at West Ware
Current River Rating
Fair · 56
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 119 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.84 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 9:15 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 01175500 · 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
Clear
Temperature
61°F
Feels like
62°F
Wind
1 mph E
Wind gust
3 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 6 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 10 AM
Clear
Temp 70°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 2 PM
Overcast
Temp 75°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 6 PM
Rain
Temp 69°F
Chance 20%
Precip 0.07 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 63°F
Chance 15%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sun 2 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 61°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Rain
High 76°F / Low 59°F
Chance 20%
Precip 0.08 in
Max gust 20 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 71°F / Low 54°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 55°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 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
Swift River at West Ware is the Quabbin release / Winsor Dam tailwater trout corridor and a Concord Outfitters featured destination. Rainbow and brown trout are primary targets. USGS gage 01175500 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the West Ware gauge reach below Quabbin, not the entire Swift River system.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Swift 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
Swift River at West Ware is the Quabbin release / Winsor Dam tailwater trout corridor and a Concord Outfitters featured destination. Rainbow and brown trout are primary targets. USGS gage 01175500 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the West Ware gauge reach below Quabbin, not the entire Swift River system.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Stocked · SpringSpringMassWildlife lists Swift River stocking in Ware and Palmer. Applies to the West Ware reach below Quabbin Winsor Dam, not the entire Swift River system.
Source: MassWildlife
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Stocked · SpringSpringMassWildlife stocks brown trout in listed Swift River waters; limited to the West Ware application reach.
Source: MassWildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Cold Quabbin-release tailwater freestone corridor with stocked trout management at West Ware.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public access patterns exist below Winsor Dam / West Ware; confirm current MassWildlife and DCR Quabbin corridor rules. Catalog coordinates are the USGS West Ware gage point.
Stocking information
MassWildlife lists Swift River stocking in Ware and Palmer for the West Ware reach. Confirm current stockings on the official MassWildlife trout stocking report.
- Stocked · Spring
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · MassWildlife
- Stocked · Spring
Brown Trout
Stocked · MassWildlife
Official sources
Trout and Quabbin-corridor rules can change. Verify current MassWildlife freshwater fishing regulations for the West Ware Swift reach before fishing.
Planning notes for this reach
This page is the Quabbin release / Winsor Dam tailwater at West Ware, not the entire Swift River and not the New Hampshire Swift near Roxbury. USGS 01175500 is the assigned streamgage. Catalog Good flow is 30–80 cfs, with Fair to 120 cfs, on a small trout channel. Those bands are destination-specific. They are not a universal “good CFS.”
Rainbow and brown trout are the primary targets. Flow that still holds fish can be a poor wading idea on this scale. Historical Flow is the trend, not a dam-operations forecast. Confirm current MassWildlife trout and Quabbin-corridor rules, plus DCR access, before you leave. Coordinates are the USGS West Ware gage point, not a guaranteed parking pin.
Sources
- USGS 01175500 — Assigned monitoring location for this StrikeTracks reach.
- MassWildlife — Authoritative freshwater fishing and stocking information.
Enduring destination context, reviewed 2026-08-31. Not a live conditions report.
Hatch Match
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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
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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