A great place to start is by attending one of the seasonal fishing derbies put on by one of our neighborhood organizations, like Friends of Oak Grove (FOOGI). These events offer instruction, equipment, and bait without requiring a fishing license and are great for people of all ages.

The Malden Public Library also has a Great Malden Outdoors reading list to help you learn and inspire people to get outside!

Malden has several bodies of water that are open to fishing, including: Fellsmere Pond, Pine Banks Park Pond, the Forest Dale Cemetery pond, and the Malden River. There’s additional access to saltwater fishing at the Rumney Marsh if you follow the Northern Strand Trail into Everett. See the Great Malden Outdoors map and filter by “fishing” to see all areas that are open to fishing locally.

Fresh water and access to salt water are all possible in the city. While most people will use spinning rod and reels or baitcasters, there are certain areas like Forest Dale Cemetery that offer enough space for fly fishing and of course wading along the Malden River.

For people who’ve been recreating outside for years, this can be a common feeling. The desire to keep “your special place” a secret can be a strong one, but let’s change that perspective.

Instead of thinking about one more person in your way, think about one more person to help: maintain a trail, pick up trash, advocate for a new bill that increases funding to protect that place, and one more steward for The Great Outdoors. To help limit the impact on these precious natural spaces, we ask that everyone — from first-timers to lifers —follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles so that we can all get outside.

Depending on what type of fishing you want to do, there are several options. Most children will start with a spincast rod and reel. Some of these sets even come with a hookless weight that kids can use to learn how to cast without hurting themselves or others.

Once someone is ready to try catching fish, most kids and adults will start with a bobber, hook, and worm. For more information on getting started with fishing visit: https://www.takemefishing.org/massachusetts/.

You can buy or rent fishing equipmnt at a number of sporting goods stores locally.

Yes, please check out The Malden Anglers Association to join and fish at their members-only pond: https://maldenanglers.com/. The Friends of the Malden River also host several events and clean-ups for the city's waterways.

Yes, here are several local guides you can hire for guided fresh or saltwater fishing.

Yes, please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service job board or the MA Wildlife job board.

Please join the Friends of the Malden River for more information: https://maldenriver.wordpress.com/

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