Jackson Square in Weymouth in Norfolk County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Herring Run Pool
Health of Today's Herring Run
| | Back River Trail | |
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 11, 2026
1. Herring Run Pool Marker
According to state data, the herring population in Weymouth's Back River dropped from 347,000 in 2001 to 80,000 herring in 2005. In the late 1800's reported catches were in the millions. The herring run has been a part of life in Weymouth for centuries providing both food and pleasure for the community. Today measures must be taken to improve the water quality and protect the herring for our future generations to enjoy.
The River Herring are an important component of a healthy coastal and riverine ecosystem. River Herring are important to our freshwater, marine and estuarine ecosystems because adult herring and their young provide food for a variety of predators including freshwater gamefish, marine gamefish, osprey, bald eagle, harbor seals, porpoise, egrets, kingfishers and river otter to name a few.
Photo Caption: Catching Herring, East Weymouth, Mass.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 2001.
Location. 42° 12.902′ N, 70° 55.413′ W. Marker is in Weymouth,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Herring Run Time Line (a few steps from this marker); The Greenbush Line in Weymouth (approx. 0.3 miles away); Osprey Overlook Park (approx. half a mile away); Great Esker Park (approx. one mile away); Weymouths Hidden Gem (approx. 1.4 miles away); The First Church in Weymouth (approx. 1½ miles away); First School House in Weymouth (approx. 1½ miles away); First Town House (approx.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
2. Herring Run Pool Marker
Regarding Herring Run Pool. In season, the pools and runs connected to this park can be found full of herring running upstream to Whitman's Pond. Another three-panel marker is included at this site which details the history of the herring run in Weymouth and other scientific or natural elements of the Herring Run not directly related to the history of this location.
Once Forsythia are in full bloom and Lilacs have started blooming is a good way to estimate the right time to visit the pool to see herring in the run.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Herring Run Pool Park - North and South Rivers Watershed Association.
Herring Run Pool Park is a very small pocket park, located in Weymouths Jackson Square, at the corner of Water and Commercial Streets. Stop by in the springtime to see the herring run. Stop by anytime to learn more about herring in general. The park is located on Herring Run Brook, a major tributary to the Weymouth Back River.(Submitted on May 13, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
2. Back River Trail - North and South Rivers Watershed Association.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
3. The Herring
The paved Back River Trail currently (2026) extends along the Back River in Weymouth from Bridge Street (Route 3A) through Great Esker Park and Osprey Overlook Park, for about 2 miles.... ...and then along Wharf Street, through the Durante Property, and south to Lovell Field, the Stephen Rennie Herring Run Park, Herring Run Pool Park, Iron Hill Park and Whitmans Pond. The trail runs alongside the Back River, the Mill River, and Herring Run Brook.(Submitted on May 13, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
3. See the Herring Run on the South Shore! NSRWA.
Spring means flowers, songbirds, and the annual upstream migration of river herring to spawn in the streams and ponds they were born in! These historically large migrations of fish into our freshwater streams, rivers, and ponds once supported the Native Americans, the Pilgrims, and the colonists who came after them. Where Can You See a Herring Run Near You?(Submitted on May 16, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
4. The Run
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
5. Herring Run Pool
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 11, 2026
6. Herring resting in the pool
Herring are resting in a sheltered corner of the herring pool before making their next climb towards Whitman's Pond.
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
7. Herring rest in Herring Pool
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
8. Herring swim up into the pool
Photographed by G.W.Bartlett, May 8, 2026
9. Herring Pool Park
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 23 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 11, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 17, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
