As the hatchery trucks continue to roll forward there are now brown trout, tiger trout and brook trout to supplement the thousands of rainbows which have already been stocked in most districts. For the bass brigade, they’re looking for sunny, shallow coves, warmer water and hot fishing for “hawgs!”
Fishing Report for Massachusetts
Mark from Monahan Marine in Weymouth said patrons are pleased with the panoply of possibilities in Plymouth. Foremost of those options are rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout in Lout Pond and Fresh Pond to go along with the frequently stocked Little and Long ponds. Reports are that the rainbows this year are extra special. While most will be using bait, spoons, spinners and flies for a chance at something better, perhaps even a holdover, Mark suggests a Yo-Zuri Pins Minnow.
Lisa and Maria from Fore River have survived the winter in fine form and are raring for the saltwater game to kick into gear but meanwhile customers are warming up with freshly stocked trout! Many are making the haul to the Cape where multiple stockings have increased their chances of catching. Peters, Spectacle, Cliff, and Sheep Ponds all have their fans! While anglers patiently await the hatchery trucks to make the rounds closer to Greater Boston, some are soaking shiners and catching bass and pickerel at Whitman’s Pond and Ponkapoag Pond. For those not wanting to make the trip to the Cape, you can find closer trout fishing in Tack Factory Pond, Parson’s Pond, and Norris Reservation Pond and these spots have brook trout!
Eric from Lunkers in Ashland said that most customers are taking advantage of the trout recently stocked in Ashland and Hopkinton Reservoirs as well as Dug Pond. A few are hawg hunting for pre-spawn largemouths in Farm Pond and Winthrop Lake. Slowly crawled crankbaits will do the trick, but with water temperatures well below the preferred level for black bass, it’s hard to top a live shiner!
Rod from Arlington Bait and Tackle said that crappie, white perch, and largemouth bass are shaking free of their winter slumber and are cooperating among the Charles and Mystic Rivers. Find an inlet or tributary and odds are, you’ll find warmer water and a hotter bite. Until Walden and White Ponds are stocked, Horn Pond has the best possibilities for trout. Anglers are boasting about the new “scale” Powerbait. If Rod had to pick one lure, he’d opt for the Thomas Colorado spoon.
Eddie of B&A in West Boylston said that anglers looking for fresh trout are catching at Lake Quinsigamond and Comet Pond. Regarding the ‘Chu, the late March sun is doing its job and melting the ice nicely, making many optimistic that opening day—Saturday, April 6—should be a go. The rub is that the reservoir is awfully high at the moment as is Quabbin. That high water at Quabbin Reservoir has paid pleasant dividends according to Rod from Flagg’s in Orange. A steady stream of landlocked salmon and lake trout have spilled over into the Swift River, making for some amazing trophy salmon fishing. Rod is not given to hyperbole and he said he saw a photo of a monster landlocked which looked to be well over 10 pounds! That fish was caught and released at the Y Pool, but downstream pools all the way out towards the boat ramp by the Belchertown Hatchery are chock full of salmon also and many are big! Not surprisingly, Rodney who is a master fly-tier has been doubling down on tying streamers to meet the demand.
When asked if he’s been in on the Swift salmon sweepstakes, Patrick Barone of Charter the Berkshires Outfitters said he’s too busy chasing walleye and pike throughout the South Hadley section of the Connecticut River. When he’s not chasing these unique fish, he’s been rafting the Westfield and Deerfield Rivers in pursuit of trout.
Pike potential does not begin and end out west according to Dave from Merrimack Sports. Just upstream of the Lawrence Dam and all the way through the Haverhill section of the Merrimack River folks remain focused on pike! While most shops have no need for big bait once the ice is gone, there is no let up here where their customers insist on suckers and big shiners! If live bait isn’t doing the trick, consider a “squished” dead bait on the bottom. For trout in northern Massachusetts, current best bets are Lake Saltonstall, Forest Lake, Baldpate Pond, Pleasant Pond and Sluice Pond.
Fishing Forecast for Massachusetts
On the South Shore, if you’re looking to catch your first trout of the year, you could do worse than snoop around the handful of ponds in Plymouth where not just rainbows swim, but brook trout and brown trout as well. For a more exotic salmonids, some of the pools in the West Branch of the Swift River are harboring some very impressive landlocked salmon! In the Northeast it’s hard to ignore northern pike in the Merrimack River. Ice fisherman had a heck of a year there through the ice and thanks to catch and release practices those pike are still swimming!