It wasn’t all that long ago that the Bay State had an opening day in mid-April for freshwater angling. If you never experienced it, you might be surprised to hear that those who did often lament the loss. The months-long anticipation, the planning and the evening-before jitters made the wait all worthwhile. The fact that water bodies were freshly stocked with trout didn’t hurt either. Redemption for those who pine for opening day lies just ahead as Gulf of Maine cod, Wachusett and even Quabbin all will soon be open for fishing.

Massachusetts Fishing Report

I have to begin with Quabbin, if for no other reason than to shoot a preemptive strike at Q’ regulars who might be thinking, “What? Quabbin doesn’t open until the 19th!” Relax, I know, and for boaters it may not even be open then because of ice. The decision will be rendered either today (Thursday) or Friday. But the big news is that land lubbers get an early season pass and can fish this mammoth cold-water fishery this Saturday, the 12th! The bad news is that the boat launch gates will not be open so you can expect a minimum of a 1-mile hike! Those gates, 8, 31 and 43, will at least feature a smooth, albeit long, passage. Other favored shoreline spots are from gates 16, 19, 22 and 35. Gate 19 will drop you at the mouth of the West Branch of the Swift River. Gate 22 leads to Hop Brook. Gate 35 is one of the shorter hauls and permits flat walking and miles of shoreline access toward Gate 37, and this is an awesome early-season laker spot. Do your homework first and scout for satellite shots to make sure your destination is ice free before you make the trek. It’s been a few years since I’ve done this, but I remember fondly the last time. It felt as if my buddy and I had been float plane-dropped into a totally unspoiled wilderness with no signs of development or humans in sight and not a single boat! In retrospect our perception wasn’t that far off. If you’re looking for an alternative to the mob scene of Wachusett over the next week, then this is it!

Speaking of Wachusett, it is officially a go for this Saturday the 12th. A whole new generation of anglers have been wooed by the ‘Chu and for good reason. Six state records and 37 miles of pristine shoreline is a nice place to start. Now certainly is a good time to appreciate the ‘Res, as long-term fisherman refer to it, as this will hopefully be the third straight year of an uptick in smelt numbers, which are essential to every salmonid that swims there. And there is a better than good chance that the Oakdale Dam on the Quinapoxett River will be removed in the future. I’ve spoken to the sovereign powers that be, the MWRA, DCR and Masswildife, and they want to get it done. This will free up significantly more spawning habitat for a multitude of species and few would argue that the Quinnie is significantly more attractive than its sister tributary the Stillwater. In recent years, especially last fall, for some the Quinapoxet was a more prolific fishery with trophy salmon, rainbow and brown trout all figuring into the mix. I suggest you swing in and see Eddie of B&A in West Boylston and stock up with 5/8-ounce firetiger, gold/flame, perch- patterned Krocodiles, ¾-ounce metallic perch, firetiger, gold/neon red, blue/chrome Kastmasters, and Trophy Spoons and go on a search and destroy mission. Lakers, salmon, smallies and the occasional surprise rainbow or brown trout could be anywhere this time of the year!

Next Wednesday, the 16th, also heralds the start of the Gulf Of Maine cod season. Few types of fishing in these parts are as exciting as feeling your upward jig-stroke suddenly stop from “something” or feeling the slam of some unforeseen adversary as it inhales your bait and wants no part of “upward mobility.” And best of all, it all starts next week! If you’re one of the few who have your boat at the ready, then odds are you’ll need to steam east of Stellwagen to find cod and their cousins, or try jigging something up from Jeffreys. Scouting reports that I’ve heard indicate that inshore shows no signs of groundfish, but redfish and haddock are there to be caught at Jeffreys Ledge.

Per chance that some of you are thinking of striped bass, river herring are here! No waves yet, but the first have shown up among the Boston rivers, which often results in big largemouth bass bulking up for the spawn. And it even means the errant holdover striped bass begin to stir. Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett told me of a 20-pound linesider that smacked a jig intended for a largemouth bass where the Muddy River meets up with the Charles River. Pete also said a kayaker picked up a few at the Amelia Earhart Dam; make sure you remain a healthy distance from the No Fishing signs at the dam. If the State Police boat is called in, you can pretty much guarantee that your fishing is done for the day! The harbor’s never-say-die duo of Carl Vining and Dave Panarello are picking away at a few stripers up to 22 inches long on tube-and-worm rigs.

New Hampshire and Southern Maine

Clam’s Tim Moore who, when not fishing or guiding, tends to business at Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland is planning on whipping a few walleyes. Knowing he’s tight with the boys from Minnesota, I just figured he was planning an out-of-state junket but was pleased to hear that he was talking Granite State ‘eyes. While hardly the volume of the walleye belt, you should have no problem finding walleyes if you probe around the Connecticut River in the Hinsdale and Claremont area. Tim recommends fishing dams and bridges where there is deeper water. A simple jig/minnow or jig/worm bumped along the bottom should do the trick. Clam’s Jason Mitchell Walleye rods have tapers perfectly designed for sensing the sometimes-delicate take of a walleye and enough power in their blanks to swing the fish away from structure.

Dylan of Dag’s in Auburn told me of a recent trip where ice was still measured in feet as opposed to inches. Common sense has to be applied to shoreline entry, but once out there safe ice is the norm throughout Maine and the “tee-shirt fishing” is the best of the season. Now is the antidote for all those skunkings in February, and odds are you will have the ice all to yourself because locals are just plain sick of it. Remember, Greater Boston had safe ice less than 2 weeks ago, so if you still need a frozen fix than you can still get it in Maine. Dylan offered Worthley Pond as a worthy option.

If you’d rather cast, then how about the Nittisset or Cobbosseecontee River brown trout fisheries? These places are prime right now for brown trout. This is no secret and you’ll have company, especially from fly-fishermen. If you get the right drift and the correct beadhead nymph pattern, you could score a brown trout of over 20 inches long!

Here’s a hot one – Mousam River sea-run brown trout. And the key is crayfish or something that looks like one! Ken from Saco Bay is getting besieged with requests for crayfish—hardly an inventoried item in early April in Maine. Somehow, someone discovered that estuarial brown trout love those little buggers. I bet it is because they remind salters of grass shrimp. Maybe you can find a shop which still has some frozen gill or two intended for smelt.

Fishing Forecast for Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Maine

Whatever your persuasion, we have something for you! If you’re looking to be wowed, walk the shorelines of Wachusett or Quabbin beginning this Saturday – odds are really good you’ll find willing lake trout.

Schedule a run out to sea aboard a head boat or with one of the many charter captains since the GOM opens for cod on the 16th!

Herring are beginning to forge the rivers and are wakening up dormant holdover stripers; you may be able to find them among the Neponset, Charles, Mystic and Saugus rivers.

Try soaking a shiner in the brackish stretches of these watersheds and you may be greeted by pre-spawn largemouth fattening up.

If you call New Hampshire home, you can stay local and still stand a reasonable chance of catching a walleye if you stick to the Connecticut River region.

Regarding Maine, when it comes to ice they still have game. But brown trout just might be the best bet of all; try the Nittisset for freshwater browns and the Mousam for salters.