There was once a time in the Bay State when April signaled opening day for freshwater fishing pursuits. While most fishing opportunities are now available 12 months of the year, there are still noteworthy opening days this month. In reverse chronological order they are Quabbin Reservoir on the 21st, GOM haddock beginning April 15th and of course Wachusett Reservoir, this Saturday the 7th of April.
Central to Western Massachusetts Fishing Report
Some of you have had one eye on April 7th since the season closed late last November. If you’re one of than you’re an unabashed Chu’aholic and have been sweating out water-level related access.
According to Eddie of B&A in West Boylston cool temperatures have resulted in a gradual snow melt and levels are not as high as last year. The hope is that fishing positions will not resemble deer stands, with anglers perched on trees looking for room to cast. Don’t be dissuaded by the raw weather forecast, dropping pressure is often the calling card for better fishing and with Wachusett Reservoir, the nastier is often the better! Eddie’s shop is stacked with all kinds of goodies, but none more valuable than the vintage, brand new and in-the-package Julie’s Gut-a-Bites he was able to score! It took some digging but he found a limited supply of this Wachusett staple – and they are the originals! You had better run to the shop now to get yours. And with the snow/sleet/rain predicted on opening day, expect those strike indicators to get a good workout.
Rod from Flagg’s in Orange said that Quabbin Reservoir hopefuls have been hitting the shop and loading up on gear for anticipation of the big day on April 21st. Meanwhile stocked trout are making for an adequate primer. He’s been tying flies for hardcore fly fisherman who have been working over trout in the catch-and-release section of the Swift River.
Regarding rivers, I’d like to welcome Mike Didonna and his Deerfield Fly Shop aboard the forecast. He will provide an invaluable perspective into this heretofore uncovered resource. If you’ve never visited this portion the state and you’ve always wanted to, now you have an excuse since Mike runs a number of programs through his shop including guiding. It’s all within a 2 hours drive of Boston!
With the chilly start, things are just starting to creep forward among the rivers there but look for that to change as we get more seasonable temperatures. Undaunted by the below-freezing/blowing nights, Patrick Barone of Charter the Berkshires Outfitters has been traipsing along Connecticut River honey holes in search of walleye. As crazy as it sounds, the bite is expected to turn on during the nasties of Saturday. Stocking among many rivers there has been limited so far, the bulk of rainbows, brookies and browns should still be on the way. When things really pick up Patrick will be our source!
Massachusetts South Shore Thru North Shore Fishing Report
Pete from Belsan’s in Scituate said that the only game in town is trout, with variety now par for the course to go along with the initial stocking of rainbow trout. Thirteen-inch brookies have been caught in Norris Reservation Pond in Norwell on 1/8 ounce gold/red Kastmaster. Brown trout now swim in Plymouth’s Town River and Doggett Brook in Rochester. Wompatuck State Park in Hingham has been getting good reports regarding warm water species.
Soon South Shore angling attention will turn to the salt and haddock will be the primary focus beginning Sunday, April. 15th. Haddock home court will be the top of Stellwagen Bank where anglers will be able to enjoy a rare opportunity to go “deep sea” fishing with light gear in only 100 feet of water! For a charter who really has a bead on the bank, consider Captain Rich Antonio of Black Rose Charters! There’s a lot of talk about someone trying for that first flounder of the year but so far no takers.
Lisa from Fore River said that shop steadies are catching rainbow trout from Houghton’s Pond on Power Bait. Some, however, are making the trip to Plymouth where it is a veritable multiple choice of destinations and species of trout. A few are trying their luck for a salty fish off the Nut Island Pier but there are no reports of any success. However, each year at about this time a few cod are taken by anglers who are capable of launching a clam or seaworm as far into the direction of West Gut as they can. Last year a 30” cod was caught this way by a guy with a “rocket launcher” surf rod! Soon the shop intends on carrying seaworms and the first reports of flounder are sure to follow!
Tomo of Tomo’s Tackle said that a few regulars are casting Power Bait into deep holes in Lynn’s Sluice Pond and achieving limits of rainbows. No flounder reports yet from the Lynn/Swampscott area. What we need is warmer weather to provide the impetus for scouts. Other shops such as Surfland and Merrimack Sports are expecting the first wave of shad to course upstream in the Merrimack somewhere in the middle of the month and by the end, salter white perch in the Parker, Merrimack and Squamscott/Exeter Rivers.
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
The weather hasn’t exactly inspired many to explore saltwater options but historically it is April when the first flounder, cod, haddock and shad are caught! A better bet this weekend is Wachusett Reservoir lake trout; it’s game-on time beginning Saturday and habitually it is during the first two weeks that the biggest fish are caught. If you’d rather play it a little safer and closer to home, you’ll find no shortage of water bodies bursting with rainbow, brown and brook trout!
com on mother nature enough is enough..give us a break
Emergency cod closure, including MA state waters is horrible news, especially considering the draggers have been out there all winter (and still are) vacuuming up everything in their path
So they wiped out the Cod once again, just when previous restrictions had them coming back. Wow! who is driving the bus up on Beacon Hill?, Bozo the Clown?
The limit for a commercial boat fishing in MA state waters is 200 pounds a day there not doing that much damage.