There are a few reasons to cheer for the predicted chill over the next week. Foremost is the effect it hopefully will have on a certain team from balmy LA, and more importantly, for hardwater junkies, just maybe, we will finally have solid, local ice!
Fishing Report for Massachusetts
I spoke to Pete Belsan of Belsan’s Bait and he told me that he is in the process of finding new digs to set up shop. He had to move from his previous location but have no fear—he expects to be back in business soon! For years we have been losing iconic bait and tackle shops such as Pete’s at an alarming rate. I shudder to think how my passion for angling would have been impacted if not for “Uncle” Phil Galetta’s Mass Bait in Revere. I “lived” there as a boy and what I learned from him and others in the shop helped light the fuse for my obsession of all things fishy. Patronize these rapidly disappearing small businesses such as Pete’s as much as you can. If we lose them, we’ll be far the poorer for it.
Regarding small shops, Eric of Lunkers in Ashland told me that the few who have been fishing open water have been catching some nice looking 16- to 17- rainbows from Ashland and Hopkinton Reservoirs. Should those lock up then they should be on your list, especially for first ice. With the total lack of ice on the South Shore, angling activity has plummeted significantly. Once again the only frozen water relief can be found possibly in the weather forecast for local endeavors or out west and up north for a safer bet.
Patrick Barone of Charter the Berkshires Outfitters offers a window into an entirely different reality among “Hilltowns” nestled in the Berkshires. There is plenty of ice among almost limitless warm-water species watersheds that dot this area. Angling pressure is down in these parts because of the perception among many would-be ice fishermen elsewhere in New England who see a lack of snow and local ice and just aren’t feeling the urge to travel. But the ice is good among many of the smaller water bodies and the pickerel especially are cooperating! Just imagine what ice fishing would be like for pickerel, especially for those new to the sport. Patrick is expecting the predicted cold snap to lock up pike places such as Pontoosuc, Onota and Buel and in anticipation, he’s scouting around for slab golden shiners!
Meanwhile, Rod from Flagg’s in Orange did say that ice is fine and flags are popping at perennial ice fishing favorites such as Clubhouse Pond and Lake Moore. Ordinarily, shop hardwater fanatics are making the trip to the setback region in New Hampshire to fish the multi-species backwaters of the Connecticut River in the Hinsdale and Claremont regions but the flow and lack of a consistent freeze have thwarted ice development thus far. Finger’s are crossed that change is coming with the forecasted chill, stay tuned for that development. Jim from JCB said that the ice and the fishing is good at Cheshire Reservoir. Even better from a lack of angling pressure perspective is that effort is a mere 15 percent of what it usually is for this time of the year. This place has given up 20-pound pike in other years! Regarding pike, should you catch the winning toothy at the Lanesborough Volunteer Fire Departments annual ice fishing derby at Pontoosuc Lake on January 19th, you’ll come home with some cool cash, bragging rights as well as the satisfaction of helping a good cause! There are a bunch of other prizes to go along with the other placements.
Fishing Forecast for Massachusetts
Until things finally freeze up throughout the Bay State, ice-fishing fanatics have only two choices—the Berkshires or across the border into northern New England. The upside to that is that reports coming from Lake Winnipesaukee are tantalizing. Most of the bays there are locked up and the lakers, white perch, rainbows, and even slab crappie are biting! If you’d rather wait, chill a little longer and continue to pin your hopes on the weather gods that this time the predicted freeze will lock up everything for good!
How is the ice looking in the winchendon area