Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report

For hardwater junkies, skim ice and frozen puddles (however fleeting) have been a tease about what hopefully is just around the corner. In the blink of an eye water bodies could “catch” and open water will have to wait until spring. Until such time it might be a good idea to get in your casting licks while you can.

The best open water options on the South Shore remain trout ponds from Plymouth through the Cape, however, there is always the possibility of hooking mackerel off Cedar Point. Your chances of hooking a special trout from shore in Long Pond or Peter’s Pond could be happening now or may be imminent as water bodies “turnover” which happens when the surface temperature dips to 39 degrees, sinks and dissolves the thermocline resulting in a flushing out of deeper water holdover trout (and bait). Several years ago I witnessed just such a phenomenon across the street from where I live as a huge school of shiners came cruising right into the shoreline with trout pushing them.

The Sudbury River watershed is renowned as one of eastern Massachusetts better ice fishing pike places but according to Eric from Lunkers in Ashland, there is no reason to wait. Accessing the river by kayak or pram is easy and pike right now are on the feed. The shop is stocking shiners for just such an Esox endeavor but you also might be able to nudge a northern into hitting a saltwater sized swimmer or big spinnerbait. Hopkinton Reservoir, Ashland Reservoir and Lake Cochituate all hold trout.

Few waterbodies in the Bay State are as dependent on forage as Wachuset Reservoir. Foremost of that at the Chu is smelt which are highly cyclical and right now it’s boon-time! Along with fishing buds Billy and Batista, I took in a Monday morning there and found willing, chunky forktails full of smelt on the Route 110 side. The previous week we were fishing about a mile away and we caught lakers all jacked with smelt also Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston said that anglers fishing by the “Fish and Game” as well as Scar Hill Road are all saying the same thing – lakers and rainbows are feasting on a burgeoning smelt population. Things certainly bode well for the future of Wachusett. It’s little surprise that Eddie’s having a devil of a time keeping Kastmasters in stock! What worked for us last time out were metallic perch, blue/chrome and orange/chrome combinations.

We all know that winter’s aren’t what they used to be which is what prompted authorities into extending the Wachusett season until the end of December. That begs the question: why can’t the Q get the same treatment as the Chu? It would certainly be a good move to grant shore anglers the opportunity to fish Quabbin late into the season. Maybe something mirroring the Chu is being planned next season for the Q? It begs to be checked out and I may have to enquire. Meanwhile fishing in those parts is restricted to trout in Lake Mattawa, Moore’s Pond and the Swift River. Lake Rohunta is a best bet for bass. Recent skim ice on many of the smaller water bodies has some hoping for hardwater soon. Usually among the first to freeze over in the Connecticut Valley Region is Clubhouse Pond (Sheomet Lake) in Warwick and for a few quick moments that was looking good but temperatures are not favorable for a freeze over the next few weeks but keep this place in mind for when temperatures get frosty.

Along the northeast sector the Concord River and Shawsheen Rivers are often overshadowed by the mighty Merrimack but they hold pike also! Merrimack Sports is carrying ‘heavy” shiners for those toothies. In spite of the calendar, in the past anglers have caught pike with topwaters such as Whopper Ploppers and HellraiZers this time of the year. Just make sure you tie on a few feet of 25/30 pound fluorocarbon shock leader to protect against the loss of one of those pricey plugs!

Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Report

While I have no ironclad intel, I’d consider the pier on Deer Island for a shot at something salty. Since it is lit, there just might be a few smelt or maybe whiting chasing grass shrimp and silversides under the lights. Even though anglers cannot keep cod, there is also the possibility of catching and releasing one off the pier. I recall that one of the more interesting angling anecdotes I kept hearing when the island first opened to the public, was the cod anglers were catching right from the dock during the colder months. Should you give that a go opt for circle hooks to affect a safe release.

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

If you’re lacking motivation to get out there and cast, picture a foot of snow and ice out your back door! Odds are that you’d be regretting not taking advantage of open water options. Thankfully that is not the case, so have at it – pike and trout are waiting!