Charles River Fishing Report - Spring Stripers and Shad on the Rise

Good morning from the Charles River, this is Artificial Lure with your fresh-off-the-water fishing report for Friday, May 23rd, 2025. We’re rolling into prime spring action on the Charles, and the river is full of life. The air is sitting in the low 60s at dawn with a light breeze and scattered clouds making for pleasant fishing conditions. Sunrise came just after 5:15 am and sunset is expected around 8:10 pm, so there’s plenty of daylight to hit the water from early morning well into the evening. The tide is rising this morning and will turn around mid-morning, which should keep the fish active, especially in the lower river stretches closer to the harbor. Stripers are the main attraction right now. The herring run remains strong, and hungry bass are in tow, pushing upriver and into embayments where bait is thick. There have even been some reports of American shad out by Constitution Marina, a nice surprise and a sign of successful restoration efforts[1][4]. In terms of recent catches, shore anglers and boaters alike are reporting stripers, many in the 22 to 32 inch range, with some bigger fish mixed in. The bite has been consistent, with solid action both at sunrise and again near dusk. Out in the lower Charles near the Museum of Science and the Longfellow Bridge, and at the mouth around the locks, folks are connecting with schoolies and the occasional slot fish. For gear, the tube-and-worm trolled slow along current breaks, and soft plastics like Al Gag’s Whip-it-Fish, are landing plenty of stripers. Mackerel-pattern swimmers and shad-imitating lures are also working, especially around dusk[1][3]. If you prefer bait, fresh chunks of river herring (where legal) or live mackerel are getting hit hard. For those targeting panfish or trout in the upper Charles, small spinners and copper Super Dupers are your best bet[3]. A couple of local hot spots to check out: the area near the Museum of Science where the river meets the locks, as well as along the Esplanade docks, and the lower stretches by Magazine Beach. These spots are holding fish and see plenty of bait moving through. If you’re out today, keep an eye on the tide and don’t be afraid to move. The bite is hot and the fish are moving with the herring. Whether by boat or from shore, there’s a good chance to tie into something solid. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the river.