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Deerfield River

Type
Tailwater, Massachusetts (East)
Designation
Designated trout water
USGS gauges
1 live
Guides
2 name it
Shops
None listed

Today on the Deerfield River

Reading the gauge…

Regulations & access Guides & shops

The Deerfield River is a tailwater in Massachusetts, listed as Designated trout water by Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), via MassGIS.

More about the Deerfield River

1 USGS gauge on the water reports flow; Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) lists 2 species, including brown trout and rainbow trout. 3 guides nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Western Massachusetts: the Deerfield & the Swift.

Updated · Sources: Coldwater Fisheries Resources (CFR) streams, Wild brown trout management in the Deerfield River | Mass.gov, USGS Water Data

Kayakers on whitewater of the Deerfield River below an old mill building at Monroe Bridge, in a wooded valley
Photo credit

The Deerfield River from the Monroe Bridge, Massachusetts. Photo: CobberCorsair, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Where it is

Deerfield River is a tailwater in Massachusetts. Our destination hub Western Massachusetts: the Deerfield & the Swift is 18 mi away in a straight line and lists it among its waters.

Flow now at the gauge
Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Deerfield River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

About this

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Massachusetts Office of Fishing and Boating Access

Deerfield River on the map

About this

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Map of Deerfield River: gauges, shops and guides

RestroomsAccess map

Map of Deerfield River with 1 USGS gauge.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Deerfield River

Restrooms near Deerfield River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Deerfield River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

Map of the restroom near Deerfield River

Skip the map; every place is in the list below

Map of 1 restroom near Deerfield River, numbered as in the list, with the water’s point marked.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

  1. Restroom

    1.5 mi away in a straight line

    Not rated yet — be the first to tell other anglers if it's clean.

    Directions
    We don't know yet: is it clean? · flush or vault? · free? · open to everyone? · step-free? — tell other anglers: show the questions
    • Is it clean?
    • Flush or vault?
    • Free?
    • Open to everyone?
    • Step-free?

    Mapped on OpenStreetMap · see or fix it on the map

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Deerfield River

  • Water spilling over a stone dam on the Swift River at Bondsville in autumnDesignated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Cold River
    Photo credit

    The Swift River at the Bondsville dam, Massachusetts, downstream of Quabbin Reservoir. Photo: Richard B. Johnson (LymanSchool), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cold River.

    Cold River

    Massachusetts · about 9 mi

  • The long West Dummerston covered bridge over the West River in autumn foliageDesignated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Green River
    Photo credit

    The West River at the West Dummerston covered bridge, Vermont. Photo: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Green River.

    Green River

    Massachusetts · about 11 mi

  • The red Silk Road covered bridge over the Walloomsac River in autumnDesignated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Hoosic River
    Photo credit

    The Walloomsac River at the Silk Road Covered Bridge, Bennington, Vermont. Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Hoosic River.

    Hoosic River

    Massachusetts · about 16 mi

  • The Farmington River at Collinsville, a broad riffle under green trees with a truss bridge beyondDesignated trout waterRepresentative photo · not East Branch Housatonic River
    Photo credit

    The Farmington River at Collinsville, Connecticut (downstream of the West Branch tailwater). Photo: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not East Branch Housatonic River.

    East Branch Housatonic River

    Massachusetts · about 21 mi

  • The Housatonic River at Kent, calm and reflecting bare trees and wooded hillsDesignated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Westfield River
    Photo credit

    The Housatonic River at Kent, Connecticut. Photo: John Phelan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Westfield River.

    Westfield River

    Massachusetts · about 23 mi

  • The Battenkill in Arlington in winter, open water between snowy banks and bare treesDesignated trout waterRepresentative photo · not Kinderhook Creek
    Photo credit

    The Battenkill in Arlington, Vermont. Photo: Gplefka, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not Kinderhook Creek.

    Kinderhook Creek

    Massachusetts · about 25 mi

Regulations

About this

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

Official designation: Designated trout water

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

Public land along it

About this

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

  • Green Mountain National ForestForest Service
  • Deerfield River (USGen New England) - Great River Hydro CRState Park and Recreation · restricted
  • Bear Swamp - Brookfield Power Co. (USGen New England) CRState Park and Recreation

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Deerfield River

About this

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

2 guides name it on their website

Guides

  • Harrison Anglers

    Northfield, MA · 19 mi

    Float trips · Raft trips · Deerfield River

    • Unclaimed

    Names this water

  • Tempco Fly Fishing

    Palmer, MA · 42 mi

    Float trips · Walk-and-wade · Gallatin & Swift

    • Unclaimed

    Names this water

  • Handmade Angler

    Leverett, MA · 21 mi

    Float trips · Wade trips

    • Unclaimed

    Nearby

All Massachusetts guides

Shops nearby

No shop nearby yet.

All Massachusetts shops

How these are chosen

Guides whose own website names this water come first, nearest first. After them, fly-focused guides within 40 miles whose website does not name it. Distances are straight-line.

Shops: fly shops first. A distance is shown when the shop’s website gives its location (within 60 miles); otherwise the shop is in one of the towns within 25 miles of the water.

Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories.

Species and hatches

About this

The species the agency lists here; presence varies by reach and season.

Listed by the state agency

When the bugs come off

Western Massachusetts: the Deerfield & the Swift

About this

Northampton sits by the Connecticut River in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts; the Deerfield River comes down below the Fife Brook dam through Charlemont and Shelburne Falls to the north-west, and the Swift River flows south from Quabbin Reservoir's Winsor Dam at Belchertown to the east.

Destination hub · 18 mi away in a straight line

Open the hubPlan a trip here

Fish these abroad

About this

Matched on the fish the agencies list for both waters first, then the same water type, an official designation or flagship listing on both, and a similar mapped size where USGS hydrography covers both.

At most two waters per country. A shared fish is a listing, not a promise: presence varies by reach and season.

Like the Deerfield River? Same fish, overseas.

  • The Meander River curving between willows and parkland at DeloraineFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Meander River in Deloraine, Tasmania. Photo: Gary Houston, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Meander River

    Tasmania, Australia

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a tailwater

  • The straight, turquoise Tekapo–Pukaki canal running between gravel banks toward distant hillsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    The Tekapo–Pukaki hydro canal, Mackenzie Country, Canterbury. Photo: Avenue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hydro Canals

    Canterbury, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow trout · also a tailwater

  • The Grand River running wide and blue between grassy, wooded banks north of ParisTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Grand River just north of Paris, Ontario, looking upstream. Photo: JustSomePics, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Grand River

    Ontario, Canada

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a tailwater

  • The lower Clutha River's channels winding across green farmland towards the seaTailwater
    Photo credit

    The lower Clutha River / Mata-Au and Inch Clutha from Kaitangata. Photo: Andrewrutherford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lower Clutha River / Mata-Au

    Otago, New Zealand

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a tailwater

  • The wide, calm Río Toltén past rounded boulders on the bank, low hills beyondTailwaterRepresentative photo · not Río Calcurrupe
    Photo credit

    The Río Toltén at Pocoyán. Photo: Maxbalter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Calcurrupe.

    Río Calcurrupe

    Los Ríos, Chile

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a tailwater

  • The South Esk River running dark and still between steep rocky wallsTailwaterRepresentative photo · not Brumbys Creek
    Photo credit

    The South Esk River, Tasmania. Photo: Michael Coghlan from Adelaide, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Brumbys Creek.

    Brumbys Creek

    Tasmania, Australia

    Same fish: rainbow & brown trout · also a tailwater

Fish it when it's winter here

Southern seasons open while ours close.

  • Lake Taupō's blue water framed by yellow kōwhai and bush, hills across the lakeFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Lake Taupō. Photo: Ériugena, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lake Taupō

    Waikato, New Zealand

    Season open all year · DOC

  • Penstock Lagoon's open water below a shoreline of tall eucalyptsFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Penstock Lagoon, Central Highlands, Tasmania. Photo: Mike Cline, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Penstock Lagoon

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open Aug–May · Inland Fisheries Service

  • The clear turquoise Río Limay flowing past green willows and rock outcropsTailwater
    Photo credit

    The Río Limay, Argentina. Photo: P. Hughes, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Río Limay

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Nov–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The broad blue-green Río Puelo between forested banks, mountains beyondFreestone riverRepresentative photo · not Río Petrohué
    Photo credit

    The Río Puelo at Las Gualas, Cochamó. Photo: Nicolás from seno de reloncaví, Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Río Petrohué.

    Río Petrohué

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • The Río Simpson running past the edge of Coyhaique under cliffs and hills in AysénLake or reservoirRepresentative photo · not Lago Llanquihue
    Photo credit

    The Río Simpson passing Coyhaique, Aysén. Photo: Manxuc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Lago Llanquihue.

    Lago Llanquihue

    Los Lagos, Chile

    Season open Nov–May · SERNAPESCA

  • Lago Nahuel Huapi's blue water and wooded islands below snow-capped Andes, framed by conifersLake or reservoir
    Photo credit

    Lago Nahuel Huapi from Llao Llao. Photo: David, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Lago Nahuel Huapi

    Río Negro, Argentina

    Season open Oct–May · Patagonian fishing regulation

  • The braided Oreti River across green farmland, mountains on the horizonFlagship waterRepresentative photo · not Mataura River
    Photo credit

    The Oreti River near Lumsden, Southland. Photo: Krzysztof Golik, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped, via Wikimedia Commons Not Mataura River.

    Mataura River

    Southland, New Zealand

    Season open Oct–Apr · Fish & Game NZ

  • Old timber pilings reflected in the still water of Great Lake, a low wooded shore beyondFlagship water
    Photo credit

    Great Lake, Tasmania. Photo: Peripitus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yingina / Great Lake

    Tasmania, Australia

    Season open all year · Inland Fisheries Service

Gear checklist

About this

A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist
Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

About this

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

  • How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

About this

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

  • 90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
  • Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

About this

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Deerfield River.

No stories from here yet.

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Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 15 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge DEERFIELD RIVER AT CHARLEMONT, MA. Water type is our own classification.