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
- 31.8 CFS
- Gage Height
- 0.8 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 6:30 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
Clear
Temperature
64°F
Feels like
63°F
Wind
5 mph NW
Wind gust
11 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
0.15 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 67°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 4 PM
Overcast
Temp 68°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 66°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 62°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 73°F / Low 56°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 80°F / Low 55°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 63°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 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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