Massachusetts Fishing Report – January 18, 2017

By now, I hope you’ve had fun chasing flags and are looking to swap out action for awesome. Some are achieving that goal by now focusing on larger, deeper water bodies that, while stocked with trout, surprise with warm water whoppers as well!

Central Massachusetts through Western Massachusetts Ice Fishing Report

Another advantage to sonar that I didn’t think of was brought to my attention recently by Patrick Barone from Charter the Berkshires Outfitters. Plop a millennial or other media junkie in front of a multi-buttoned, Marcum, Vexilar or other fish-finding gizmo they can geek over and you have a hooked hardwater angler as opposed to a distracted gadfly who won’t take his eyes of his phone! It’s just the thing to get the kids out of the house and keep them out! If you are looking for a few Masswildlife favorites to steer you into the trophy fish direction, peruse this one mass.gov/service-details/best-bets-for-trophy-fishing The pick of the week from Mr. Barone regarding a multi-species Berkshires winner is Laurel Lake in Lee. This lake has all the right ingredients: it’s deep, has plenty of bait and is stocked often!

Despite his shop being in close proximity to the Hilltown Ponds and other noted Western Mass lakes, Jim from JCB had little to say outside of Cheshire Reservoir. If you’re thinking, “ho-hum, here comes another pike report”, you’d be wrong! There’s some real hawg largemouth bass in this place as well as evidenced by a 7 ½-pounder which was recently caught and released! However, Jim was concerned about excessive grab and grin photos which potentially could kill released fish. Rightfully so, he suggests you lift her out of the water, snap that glory shot quickly and then let her go.

Rod from Flagg’s in Orange recommended Lake Mattawa as a multi-species, deep “trout pond”, which in addition to the occasional big trout holds jumbo yellow perch and smallies. It was hardly the first time, but Moore Lake was also mentioned. North Spectacle Pond has been productive for largemouth bass as well as crappie. When asked about South Spectacle Pond, Rod hadn’t heard a word. The access to this place is challenging but when it’s fished the reports are impressive. There’s also a lot of buzz regarding Queen Lake in Phillipston as well.

Jim from Barry’s said that Webster Lake can be a winner for trout and smallmouth bass. A regular of the shop found smallies stacked tightly in the “middle” pond in 20’ plus depths. The key was to mark the fish and then jig a Swedish Pimple tipped with a grub in front of them. For the “other” black bass, the A-1 Site gets the nod, but be sure you’re not stranding your shiner in the prevalent weed mats. Keep that bait close to the ice for best largemouth bass success. One western water body renowned for trout which should be on your must-fish list is South Pond in East Brookfield/Sturbridge. What makes this deep, pristine place special is the landlocked alewives, which result in a rapid growth rate for the frequently-stocked brown trout. Go large with your shiner selection here. My friend Russ Eastman caught a 4-pound brown trout here, which had the tail of a 6” alewife sticking out of its mouth! So much for dainty trout.

Massachusetts South Shore Through Metrowest Fishing Report

Dave from Merrimac Sports said that pike pursuers have been shifting their focus from the Merrimack River to the Concord River, which has been less pressured. The Merrimack however is still the better choice for smallmouth bass. The shop is carrying major league bait for those who aim to catch large, in this case shiners and suckers up to 8” long! Round Pond in Haverhill remains the recommendation for special trout, including tiger trout and brown trout up to 5 pounds. If you’re looking to explore a deep cold-water and warm-water species gem than consider crossing the border to fish New Hampshire’s Island Pond. In addition to the usual warm-water species suspects, this place is stocked with brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Island Pond at 500 acres is custom made for hunting with sonar for trout and smallmouth bass. Hint: find the white perch fry at the edge of drop offs and you’ll find the predators! ! And it that isn’t enough to get you to commit, then perhaps a “free” fishing day will. Yup, this Saturday New Hampshire’s Department of Fish and Game is offering license-free fishing to all who want to partake of all the hardwater opportunities.

Regarding just across the border in New Hampshire, I’m still hearing promising things about smelt in Great Bay. Jason of Suds ‘N Soda in Greenland said that limits are being achieved on an incoming tide in the Squamscott River. Another option is the bay itself in Newington off Newington Road. Jason’s dad kept an ongoing log for years which revealed that during years such as this with early ice, the main body of smelt stages in the bay before moving upstream to spawn in the late stages of the winter.

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

On the South Shore, set up your traps with large shiners along depth breaks for a chance at a bigger-than-average trout along with a shot at a warm water winner. Out west, Laurel Lake, Webster Lake and South Pond are all multi-species gems that reward those who search out structure and bait with sonar. Farther north, the pike patrol has set their sights on the Concord River. And if you don’t mind crossing the border, New Hampshire’s Island Pond is a 500-acre buffet of both cold and warm water species.