Game on! And thanks to a welcome blast of ice-making temperatures that game is not just restricted to the Pats cold-weather contest this Sunday.
Eric form Lunkers in Ashland said that finally there is solid local ice! He suspects patrons will be putting time in at Heard Pond in Wayland, South End in Millis, as well as Farm Pond and Lake Winthrop. Heard Pond and South End Pond are especially interesting since they connect to the Sudbury and Charles Rivers respectively so you never know what swims there.
The Sudbury River occasionally breaches Heard making it prone to holding pike. The coves of Cochitutate, especially Coffman Cove, which harbors both cold and warm water species, should have plenty of ice come Saturday. Jim from Barry’s in Worcester sounds as if he’s been working out again as he talks of carrying hundreds of pounds of bait!
There’s good reason for the bait interest as well since anglers are now out on Ripple Pond, Flint Pond, Chauncey Pond and the Assabet Reservoir. The latter three of which have all been stocked with tiger muskies in the last few years.
Eddie of B&A in West Boylston said that the locals are talking of good ice and good ice fishing from Comet Pond and Whitehall Reservoir for a variety of trout species and Indian Lake where pike prowl. For a mixture of of warmwater species, Eddie suggests the neighboring South Meadow, Mossy and Coachlace Ponds.
Rod from Flagg’s in Orange told me that Lake Mattawa has locked up and anglers are catching rainbow and brown trout. Rohunta is still fishing well for largemouth bass and yellow perch. For bass and crappie, North Spectacle Pond can be among the best local spots. It’s “sister” water body, South Spectacle is tougher to fish but some feel it’s worth the effort. Just watch out for marshy sections which are slower to freeze.
Jim from JCB in Cheshire told me of a 27-pound pike which was taken from one of the prolific Pittsfield pike factories of which there are at least two I know of—Onota and Pontoosuc. Could Cheshire Reservoir be ready to give up a toothy to top that? For those who want to find out, JCB is now carrying suckers and big shiners!
One of the main reasons Pontoosuc is such a hot producer of pike, brown trout and bass is due to the healthy smelt forage base. No one knows that better than Patrick Barone of Charter The Berkshires outfitter. He’s been pulling nighttime shifts, loading up on this prime bait for patrons who want to tackle trophies. For a strictly cold-water species Berkshires gem which has smelt, Patrick suggests Goose Pond. According to David from Merrimack Sports, Round Pond in Haverhill is one of the better northeastern Mass big brown trout water bodies. Bump up your shiner selection if you want to focus exclusively on larger brown trout.
Pike enthusiasts are keeping Merrimack Sports hustling to keep big bait in stock as the bite is on throughout coves of the Merrimack River. Odds are that the Concord River has some corkers also. In addition to suckers the shop is carrying extra large shiners and they are going fast. Donnie said he was out by last Monday, but the tanks were reloaded with major league minnows on Thursday morning.
Reports are also favorable regarding nice largemouth bass from Millvale Reservoir. For crappie try Big Island Pond which is just across state lines.
Fishing Forecast for Massachusetts
It might have taken to mid-January to finally have decent ice across most of the state but it might just be a case of “better late than never”! Many ponds and lakes are sporting first ice and the bite is often best at first ice! With less demand for big bait earlier, the shops have are loaded with the big stuff now. This weekend pull for the Pats and pull in a few fish while you’re at it!