Massachusetts Fishing Report – January 25, 2018

While South Shore hardwater homers are wondering if the recent thaw spells the end of local ice for the season, those in areas are grateful for improved access due to far less snow.

Central Massachusetts Fishing Report

According to Patrick Barone of Charter the Berkshires Outfitters, the rain/thaw melt has increased trout activity throughout the Hilltown trout ponds and lakes and beyond. We all know that trout are drawn to moving water like a bee to honey and inlets, brooks and tributaries of any kind have become hot. Additionally, with the stifling cloak of snowcover virtually eliminated, the sun is cutting through to the “soft” bottom, causing critters to stir and trout to bite. The recent cold snap has reportedly shored up much of the melted shoreline ice, but be careful regardless. In addition to the Berkshire’s smaller stocked trout water, now may be a good time to frequent the larger lakes such as Onota, Buel and Pontoosuc.

Jim from JCB said that the catching of warm water species remains consistent among the 418-acre Cheshire Reservoir. Thanks to its size and it’s weed canopy, pike and largemouth bass can duck pressure when they are in a neutral state. And when that feedbag is put on, it can be as simple as being in the right place at the right time. Being among the first to lock up because of the habitat and higher elevation, North Pond and Windsor Pond are fished early and then get quiet, making now a good time for a revisit.

Rod from Flagg’s in Orange experienced the same malady that other shop owners did last weekend, namely running out of bait – repeatedly! And there’s good reason as solid reports are coming in from Mattawa, Rohunta, Tully, Ellis and Metacomet. Additionally, in spite of the spotlight from this report regarding Queen Lake, Rod is still hearing of good results regarding panfish of all sorts as well as black bass. For pike, some pros are spending a lot of time across the border among the “setbacks” of the Connecticut River in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Anglers also regularly catch walleyes there as well. Jim from Barry’s in Worcester said that somehow an 8-pound broodstock salmon survived from a long-ago stocking and was caught on the Route 290 side of Lake Quinsigamond. Anglers have also been doing well on rainbow trout throughout the sprawling lake. For smallmouth bass, Jim suggests Lake Singletary as well as Lake Webster. And for a shot at a trophy brown trout, check out South Pond. Both Singletary and South benefit from a landlocked alewife forage base.

Massachusetts South Shore Through Metrowest Fishing Report

According to Pete from Belsan’s Bait in Scituate, the thaw left most local water bodies looking like an iceberg floating in a sea of open water! That’s a shame because anglers were hauling in some very impressive pickerel from Jacobs Pond as well as Furnace Brook Pond. In fact, the latter gave up some jumbo yellows that were a shiner-meal away from a state bronze pin! Some weather forecast models predict a big chill to return in the beginning of February so there is hope.

A better bet for a frozen fix can be had in the Metrowest area according to Eric from Lunkers in Ashland. Ashland Reservoir has given up respectable rainbow trout as well as brown trout. The word from Heard is that a nice northern pike was caught there. During periods of high water, the pike-filled Sudbury River spills into this pond infusing it with life, including the occasional pike! For a possible multi-species outing, check out Cochituate’s Coughman’s Park. And for strictly largemouth bass and other warm water species there’s Farm Pond and Winthrop Lake.

David from Merrimack Sports said that while some waited for the shorelines of the Merrimack and Concord Rivers to harden up again, they turned their sites on Lake Attitash and were rewarded with largemouth bass and he’s heard of at least one pike. For pickerel reminiscent of a pike try neighboring Tewksbury Pond. The snowmelt and thaw may have been a tonic to the trout in Forest Lake, Stiles Pond and Baldpate Pond. Anglers are still crossing the border to crush crappie among New Hampshire’s Island Pond.

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

The South Shore notwithstanding, the recent thaw was not the ice-killer many feared, but you should still never take for granted that the ice underfoot is safe unless you’ve put a spud to it or drilled a sample hole. Once you’re sure there is at least 4” of ice you are on, see if you can jig up a smallie from Singletary Pond, Webster Lake or Walden Pond. South Pond is a better bet for a brown trout. While not a slam-dunk, there is the ever-present possibility of a pike from Heard Pond. For a trout tip farther north, try Stiles and Baldpate.