Last year we launched from the Lawrence ramp 3 or 4 times without any issues. Had one guy hold up things at the ramp while he washed his car which he partially drove in. Great fishing there and well worth it. It is actually really nice as you head up stream. Saw my first bald eagle there. Caught a lot of fish mostly Sally's . Good place.
How far upstream can you go before hitting Nh and did you get any biggens up there
Really can't get there (NH) from the Lawrence ramp. It rambles to the rapids in Lowell then you hit the dam. Unless the water is up, it'll be hard to get up the rapids into Lowell (by UMass Lowell) so don't try. It is a great fishery, miss it now.
If you want to get on the Merrimac R. to NH, launch from the Lowell ramp or the North Chelmsford ramp (route 4 north). It's all good. Good luck!
Also, there's a private ramp at Norms White Horse Restaurant in Methuen a couple miles upstream from the Lawrence ramp. I grew up in that area and never had a problem launching in Lawrence. I think Norm's charges $15 now. it used to be $10 which I was ok with but at $15, i'd rather use the free launch. As someone else said, you can get up to the rapids well before the Lowell dam. I wish there were more tournaments there...very underutilized location and the fishing has gotten pretty good over the years since they cleaned it up. I'd love to head over one day if anyone wants to jump in my boat with me...
Jay, you're right, about the quality of fish. Before we left to live on the Cape I was involved in catching 2 walleyes on the river. One by me and the other by a buddies son. He caught his (a nice 7 lber) on the Tewksbury portion of the river and I caught a much smaller one near Vesper CC (N. Chelmsford). I'd go w/you if I were to be visiting one day. Great place . . .
I have launched at both the Lowell ramp and the Chelmsford ramp and have gone up past the Tyngsboro bridge. The Lowell ramp has plenty of space and is in good condition. Chelmsford is definitely useable, but it is not as nice. The right side of the river is shallower than the left and has some rocks that like lower units. Lots of fish in that river.
Charlie
Charlie
Thanks again guys. We didn't have that great of a day. I boated about 7 smallies all between dinks and maybe 2 pounds. I also caught a big pickerel. My buddy had one dink smallie and lost a pig. Next week we're gonna try one of the ramps below the dam. Haverehill? Anybody been?
Hello Shawn. I fish out of Haverhill quite a bit. The ramp is at the Crescent Yacht Club. Be extremely careful if you fish west of the ramp, due to the incredible amount of rocks and the channel being unmarked. If you go east of the ramp, the channel is marked.
Of course, along with the treacherous rocks is an abundance of mean bronzebacks! I fished it 2 weeks ago for 3 hours after work and got 7 fish, with 2 just over 3lbs.
Spinnerbaits, cranks and twin-tail grubs on a 1/4oz ballhead work great. The cover around downtown Haverhill-bridges, walls, trees, docks are usual hotspots.
I have a tourney Saturday, but if you go Sunday, let me know and maybe I can lead the way. Gotta go early though.....parking is limited and the stripers are in pretty heavy!!
Of course, along with the treacherous rocks is an abundance of mean bronzebacks! I fished it 2 weeks ago for 3 hours after work and got 7 fish, with 2 just over 3lbs.
Spinnerbaits, cranks and twin-tail grubs on a 1/4oz ballhead work great. The cover around downtown Haverhill-bridges, walls, trees, docks are usual hotspots.
I have a tourney Saturday, but if you go Sunday, let me know and maybe I can lead the way. Gotta go early though.....parking is limited and the stripers are in pretty heavy!!
Awesome info thanks!! My buddy wants to target stripers but I just figure if I hook up with one it'll be a bonus. I'm all about the Sallies.We usually like to start early. I'm even trying to decide how much fishing I can get in if I go after work. It's about a 45 minute drive for me.