While it’s hardly a heat wave, increasing temperatures are having a corresponding effect on everything from holdover stripers to crappie. For those who believe that there is Quabbin Reservoir and, a step below, there is everything else, Opening Day is finally here: Saturday the 26th. Granite State anglers are also excited about this Saturday since designated trout water bodies are also finally open for business.

Many of you have heard the somber news of the new Gulf of Maine groundfish regulations, which sound like a funeral dirge for those who love to fish for cod and their kin. Beginning May 1, the haddock bag and size limit for recreational anglers is 3 fish at 21 inches. And for cod, it is 9 fish at 21 inches. Another kick to the head is that the season ends abruptly on August 30. With the dearth of cod, haddock had been a lifeline in recent years for anglers desiring something to catch and keep from the deep, and this news stings like a dogfish spine. The government is poised to provide millions in funds to the commercial industry because of the obvious fisheries disaster, but what about the small business owners who own tackle shops or run a charter business? You can’t help but feel for these folks. For a blueprint of a cod policy which works, we only have to look across the sea to see how the Norwegians/Russians mutually manage the Barents Sea cod stock which is the healthiest in the world and is more vigorous than it was 25 years ago. They set total allowable commercial catch limits for the entire season, they have achieved near zero discards and they put more emphasis on gear which does not ensnare short fish. The industry is discouraged to set their nets where there is a preponderance of small fish and wrongdoers are held accountable. From a recreational standpoint, anglers there enjoy shallow-water sport for cod and pollock on spinning gear that rivals most anything we do for striped bass. We can only hope that one day our regulators get it.

Massachusetts Fishing Report

Pete from Belsan Bait in Scituate said that soon shad should begin coursing the North River and into the Indian Head River. Tandem shad darts and dusk to dawn pursuits are the winning combination. Meanwhile, freshly stocked brook trout make a nice consolation prize in the Indian Head River as well as streams and tributaries of the South River. Bass are busting bait among the bogs of the South Shore such as what you’ll find in Carver, Pembroke, Plymouth, Norwell, Duxbury and Kingston. And the cranberry crop is not all that grows big in these bogs!

Another week, another big lake trout weighed into B&A in West Boylston according to shop owner, Eddie. This time the fish was a 15-11 taken by Raymond Sherwin somewhere in the Gate 19/22 area on a shiner. Lakers continue to convert new anglers to Wachusett with salmon being taken but released on site. While primarily a coldwater species fishery, “the Res” is sometimes unsung for other fish such as crappie but it gives up occasional slabs. Ed Manning weighed in a 1-15 “calico” which he took from the Thomas Basin. Smallmouth bass are increasingly figuring into Wachusett catch rates as well.

Finally it’s a go for boaters at Quabbin Reservoir this Saturday, the 26th. According to Rod from Flagg’s, customers of his did a little recon from shore and found plenty of lakers from Gates 16, 22, 31, 35 and 37. The lakers have been running anywhere from 2 to 7 pounds. No word on leaping landlockeds yet, but for sure next week’s report will not lack them. A bonus prize from 31 was the 2-pound class rainbows, which two brothers of seven and eight years old caught on Krocodile spoons! The boys had struck out on Lake Mattawa just before but more than made up for it in Quabbin.

Jim from JCB in Cheshire said that only recently had Dr. Freeze released his icy grip on North Pond and Plainfield Pond in the Berkshires. These may be dark horse gems for trout because of the extensive ice cover, which had all but the most intrepid hardwater junkie steering clear. Jim’s sons have done quite well from Windsor Pond on the trout with gold/red Thomas Buoyants. The bass are packing on the pre-spawn pounds among the shallows of Lake Pontoosuc and Lake Onota.

It’s smallie time according to Dave from Merrimac Sports. The River Street section of the Merrimack River in Haverhill is hot for bass with the fish mugging all manner of bait and lures. “Blow-up” a worm and you may catch a smallmouth bass, white catfish or a 15-pound carp. Toss out a spinnerbait and a black bass may bang it or a toothy presence such as a post-spawn pike that is beginning to pack on the pounds. Patrons of the shop are preparing for the imminent return of one of the pound-for-pound hardest fighting fish – the American shad. The stretch between the Lawrence Dam all the way to out Rocks Village in West Newbury is due to hold shad any week. It’s never too late to start looking for the “last” of the broodstock salmon as evidenced by the recent 12-pounder that was taken from Plugs Pond in Haverhill.

A few holdover schoolies have been taken in the Saugus River on soft-plastic shads! Kayak anglers are catching them also outside of the Salem Power Plant. I suspect if you troll just outside of the no-trespassing buffer at the Pilgrim Power Plant, you’d catch also. Closer to the Hub, the Charles and Mystic Rivers are giving up a few holdover stripers, too.

New Hampshire and Southern Maine Fishing Report

When we spoke, Tim from Suds ‘N Soda talked up the white perch run, which is on now throughout the Squamscott/Exeter River just off Great Bay. A top/bottom rig works best with preferred baits being chubs, seaworms, bloodworms or grass shrimp. With trout season “officially” opening this Saturday, Tim recommends Lucas Pond and Barbados Pond. The decree is that Lake Winnipesauke is officially ice free! A sure sign is that the Mount Washington Cruise Ship is now chugging about the big lake. For the angler, that means miles of uninterrupted trolling opportunities. To slam a salmon, keep your smelt, streamer or spoon within the first 10 feet of the surface and, as the day rolls on, move closer to shore. Any spot where a stream or river enters Winnipesauke is worthy of a troll-by.

Jamie from Dover Marine had been hearing of pretty good groundfishing from Jeffreys Ledge. The top of the ledge – 150’ to 170’ – has been best with haddock taking bait along respectable cod of 24 to 25 inches. Bait rules right now over jigs with brightly colored teasers – pink or chartreuse – making a difference too! For a terrific trout spot try Duncan Lake in Ossipee.

The ice may be history but there’s no break in the action for the crew at Dag’s in Auburn. Dylan said that many patrons are taking to non-descript brooks in the area that hold brook trout. For larger fare, check out Sabbathday Lake, which has brown and brook trout. For three species of trout try Dry Mills Pond. The prolific smelt population which thrives in Horseshoe Pond gives this place the edge for boating a big brownie.

Ken from Saco Bait and Tackle said that Sebago is smoking in the salmon department. Leadcore line between 18 to 36 pounds, a 30-foot, 6-pound-test leader and sewn-on smelt are a lock to catch you a few salmon, especially by the locks of Sebago. Sea-run brown trout are still the game at the Mousam River, especially for fly-fishermen who offer the salters scud-patterned flies. Another moving-water option is brook trout fishing among Cascade Brook and Deep Brook.

Fishing Forecast for Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Maine

Someone has to be the first to catch a shad and it might as well be you from the Indian Head River or perhaps the Merrimack River. Other river pursuits are holdover stripers stirring among the Charles, Mystic and Saugus rivers. Kayakers are also finding fish around the perimeter of the power plant by the Winter Island section of Salem.

As exciting as resident stripers are, I’ve yet to hear of one matching the 15-11 laker recently caught from Wachusett Reservoir! Although with all three boat launch areas opening up this Saturday on the Quabbin, that ‘Chu laker may be topped.

White perch are on the feed in the Exeter/Squamscott River section of Great Bay and if there’s a harder fighting panfish than a salter white perch I don’t know what it is. Late April for many means trolling for landlocked salmon among the massive Lake Winnipesauke and Sebago; sew on a smelt or tie on a Purple Squid streamer and see if you can’t lock into a silver leaper!