The frozen-water brigade views the weather forecast differently than “normal” people. When the talk turns to the teens (as is the case this weekend), both groups may feel a chill, but for the hardwater fanatic it’s the chill of excitement!
Massachusetts South Shore Fishing Forecast
Encouraged by not only the weekend freeze but season-long predictions of a cold winter, I asked my friends who own shops to weigh in on early season lock-ups and what swims there. Pete Belsan of Belsan Bait in Scituate told me that there could be an unexpected benefit to the lack of ice last winter, namely that ponds and lakes on the South Shore were lightly pressured. Ice fishing years following a dud such as last year often fish better! As you would expect first freeze occurs among shallow, sheltered water. That description applies to almost limitless, small ponds which dot the South Shore and offer some impressive fishing for warm water species. Principally among those first picks are Pitts Pond (Hadley) in Scituate on the Widows Walk Golf Course, Jacobs Pond also in Norwell and Tack Factory Pond (First Herring Pond) in Scituate. Lilly’s in Cohasset tends to lock up on the early side as well. Big bass enthusiasts should view these places as sleeper spots; odds are you’re not going to get numbers but if you drop a big shiner towards the bottom you might catch a real hawg!
Greater Boston Fishing Report
Maria from Fore River Bait and Tackle expects to be dolling out shiners for those looking for early ice at Whitman’s Pond in Weymouth. This pond is stocked in the spring with trout but the most coveted catch is the nice largemouth that shadow the lily pad beds on the north and south ends of the pond. Whitman’s is the tailwater of the Weymouth Back River herring run, which means that a lack of forage is not an issue. Ponkapoag in Canton is a toothy destination with plenty of pickerel as well as the chance of hooking a pike from a long-ago introduction. Rod from Arlington B&T is fortunate enough to be minutes away from Spy Pond which is Greater Boston’s best Esox producer. In addition to some huge pike which swim there, Spy is once again the beneficiary of the resuscitated tiger muskie stocking program. Decades ago this spot was legendary for its tiger muskie fecundity. Another unexpected open-water toothy alternative might be the Lower Mystic Lake. Dick who used to own Arlington B&T had a customer who caught 30” plus specimens at the effluence with Mill Brook! Rod told me he saw a recent photo of a similarly sized pike with obvious Mystic landmarks in the background! Lord only knows how those fish got there but with all that available forage (herring) they should prosper! If you’re in the area stop by the shop and check out the new Max Traps Rod is carrying, they are premium tilts hand-crafted from Maine.
Central Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts
I imagined Jim from Barry’s Bait in Worcester looking over his shoulder when he mentioned Ripple Pond as an early ice favorite! The reason he was worried about being a “marked man” was that Ripple regulars keep a tight lip about this early season producer. This place is special for panfish and largemouth bass. Little Chauncy also tends to lock up early and in addition to the usual warm water suspects, pike prowl here! If you’re looking for pike bait, Barry’s is the place; when the game is on he orders bait big enough to scare most species and he gets it by the hundreds of pounds. Eddie of B&A in West Boylston said that in spite of Comet in Hubbardston being deep and a multi-species trout producer it often locks up early. If you need another reason to patronize this place consider how a regular of the shop did recently from open water. Floating shiners he picked up rainbows, brown trout and even brookies and they were all caught from the accessible boat ramp!
Connecticut Valley Region Report
Rod from Flagg’s in Orange recommended Sheomet Lake (Clubhouse Pond) in Warwick as far and away the best early season pick. Considering that sloughs in that area are already skimming over during the night, that place may ice over soon! Trout live here as do black bass and a panoply of panfish. Another potential Warwick winner is Moores Pond and along with Laurel Lake Lee provide two early options for trout and warm water species.
Western Massachusetts Fishing Report
Much to the envy of anglers who fish in the other regions, the “Hilltowns” nestled in the western portion of the state, received truckloads of brown trout from Masswildlife this October! Additionally, you can expect many of these places to be among the first for first ice! Spots to put on your December wish list are: Windsor Lake in Windsor, Littleville Lake in Huntington, North Pond in Florida and Ashfield Pond in Ashfield. For a warm water species early season buffet there’s the perennial favorite Cheshire Reservoir which in spite of its size is often a quick freeze because it is divided into so many shallow basins.
Northern Massachusetts Fishing Report
David from Merrimack Sports was scrambling to stock oversized pike bait in anticipation of a (hopefully) imminent lock up of nearby water. If there was one city where there was a world of early ice action it is Haverhill. For holdover trout (including brown trout) the check would have to go next to Round Pond. This is also a sleeper big bass spot, where David knows of two recent 8-pound largemouth which were caught. Millvale Pond while frequently stocked is also a productive panfish and black bass location. And then there’s the often reliable Plugs Pond. Forest Lake in Methuen was recently stocked preceding a tournament held there. The boundary pond of Big Island is a crappie killer while in Newburyport, Artichoke Reservoir is coastal favorite. The sprawling Harold Parker State Forest features numerous cold and warm water species possibilities such as Berry Pond for trout and Stearns for pickerel, panfish and bass.
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
Skim ice and frozen puddles are hopefully a harbinger of imminent hardwater to come. Meanwhile there are trout aplenty stocked throughout the districts. Powerbait and other baits will certainly do the trick but for a chance at a holdover, opt for something larger which they may not have seen such as a 3/8th ounce spoon or even a minnow plug more suited to bass. Of course, if the frozen puddles are giving you other ideas, dust off the hardwater gear and keep one eye on some of the water bodies recommended here.
Does anyone have info on smelt? Cold front coming in and wondering how that will impact fishing. Was thinking about heading out to Nut Island.
There are no pike in Little Chauncey. They can be found down the road at the much larger Lake Chauncey, which is also supposed to be receiving a stocking of tiger muskie. I fished little Chauncey in January on one of the only days it had enough ice to safely fish, and landed three bass over four pounds. It’s a beautiful body of water, please don’t leave any trash.