The current gulf between safe ice and sketchy ice belies the relatively small size of our state. East of Worcester anglers are resorting to planks and other unsafe ad hoc means to cross eroded shorelines – never a good idea – but farther west they’re taking trucks out onto the ice!
Fishing Report for Massachusetts
Ordinarily the talk in shops such as Arlington B&T and Lunkers in Ashland revolves around bait and tackle. But lately according to the owners, the subject is more appropriate to what you’d find in a hardware store as patrons debate the merits of planks verses ladders in order to span broken shorelines for solid ice. No fish is worth taking a plunge into 32 degree water, especially when there are safe alternatives less than a tank of gas away!
When asked for an ice depth status regarding the Connecticut Valley Region Rod, from Flaggs in Orange, said that there is “plenty of ice!”. Most weeks I hear of trout taken at perennial hardware favorite, Lake Mattawa, but Rod said that those opting for larger shiners do quite well on warm water species on the shallow, weedier backside of the lake. There have been some nice pickerel, bass and even white perch taken there. The Spectacle Ponds remain a favorite for crappie but according to Rod there’s an untapped “calico” fishery right on Lake Rohunta. Owing to the species nocturnal stirrings, Rod used to make a crappie killing fishing over fresh auger holes after work. It was the ultimate lazy/smart approach as the anglers who put in the elbow grease to cut those holes would no sooner leave than Rod would jump in and clean up, knowing that crappie flip the switch come dark. One look at the relative size of a crappie’s eye says it all – these fish can see really well at night! Rod’s favorite offering was always a copper Swedish pimple with a grub. Just make sure you swap out the treble for a single hook.
Pike are hitting well among the oxbows of the Connecticut River in both Massachusetts and the Hinsdale New Hampshire area.
Regarding pike, things have gotten quiet in Cheshire Reservoir according to Jim from JCB in Chesire, who just returned from a trip on the reservoir with his truck! Jim did say that his son Justyn placed first with a 10.9 pounder in a recent derby! One theory being floated is that this is just a pre-spawn lull and the fish should begin feeding ravenously soon. Lake Onota has given up at least one upper 20 pound monster pike!
Be patient if you call Patrick Barone of Charter The Berkshires Outfitter, he’ll be going flat out over the next couple weeks as he milks the most he can out of the last few weeks of the ice fishing season. He’s beginning to shift gears to the higher elevation water bodies of the Berkshires where the season should last well into March.
Pond and lake inlets are worth targeting now as inlets of any kind not only bring in nutrients and bait but warmer water temperatures. In an ice-capped water body, a degree or two can make all the difference in the world. As the thaws increase in frequency and duration these effluences will increasingly become attractive to both cold water and warm water species. Anyone who knows Patrick knows full well his appreciation for rivers. To further facilitate his ability to float fish and guide the Housatonic and Deerfield Rivers, he’s ready to take possession of a guide-capable raft!
Fishing Forecast for Massachusetts
The recurring rain/thaw weather rut has not been friendly for those who were hoping to push their hardwater passion into March. While there is a glimmer of hope that next week’s chilly forecast may resuscitate what is a rapidly dwindling ice cover east of Worcester, the western/higher elevation areas of the Bay State remain your best bet. For crappie in the Connecticut Valley Region the Spectacle Ponds and even Lake Rohunta are good choices, especially at dusk and dawn. Lake Onota has already given up trophy toothies and along with Cheshire Reservoir should be tops on your list if you’d like a knockout of a northern. The other option remains a peak away at the New Hampshire/Maine portion of the Forecast where ice fishing is taken to the next level.