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Fishing Deerfield River: what the data says
Fife Brook dam-release tailwater (Zoar Gap) down to Shelburne Falls; classic MA float The river tops out around 6 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Deerfield River
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 6.9), a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Deerfield River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Riffle & run (mile 8.8) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Brown Trout fishing at Deerfield River
In spring, brown trout run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. Current seam (mile 6.9) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for summer brown trout. Best bite is after dark and early morning. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 1 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Brook Trout fishing at Deerfield River
Start shallow in spring: brook trout sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 6 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Current seam (mile 6.9): a current seam around 3 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 6 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Rock Bass fishing at Deerfield River
In spring, rock bass run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Riffle & run (mile 8.8) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rock bass. Best bite is the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 12.2): eddy pocket, around 5 ft
- Inside bend (mile 3.8): point, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 1.7): current seam, around 5 ft
- Channel swing (mile 5.9): creek channel, around 4 ft
- Inside bend (mile 9.7): point, around 4 ft
- Current seam (mile 6.9): current seam, around 3 ft
- Riffle & run (mile 8.8): rock pile, around 3 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 7.9): eddy pocket, around 3 ft
Common questions
How deep is Deerfield River?
Deerfield River is about 6 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Deerfield River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, rock bass on Deerfield River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Deerfield River?
Current seam (mile 6.9) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Deerfield River?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Hallockville Pond · Upper Highland Lake · Windsor Pond · Lower Highland Lake · Roaring Brook Reservoir · Windsor Lake
See how Deerfield River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Massachusetts · best rainbow trout lakes in Massachusetts · best brown trout lakes in Massachusetts · best brook trout lakes in Massachusetts
Browse all Massachusetts fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.