Massachusetts Fishing Report
Surely snowfall amounts have run inverse of angling opportunities. A sorry combination of skim ice close to the coast along with smothering snow out west has left us in a fishing limbo and there’s not a lot to love about that.
Usually when I play phone tag with Pete Belsan from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate, the normally garrulous proprietor returns the call. The curt text summed it up – there’s not much going on at all. Believe it or not, a few giant bluefin tuna have actually been caught over the last few days in response to fishery managers freeing up some quota. You can definitely file those folks under – hardcore! In spite of some searching for smelt there hasn’t been any finding to speak of. A better bet for something that will tug on the line is trout in Plymouth and throughout the Cape. Lisa from Fore River Bait and Tackle also had patrons pursing pelagics over the last few days. For “normal” folks, trout in Houghton’s Pond, Jamaica Pond, Walden Pond and White Pond are a best bet. Not all have given up on stripers however as at least one angler has been catching Weymouth Fore River holdovers on mackerel chunk under the Fore River Bridge.
Far and away the most interesting report this past week came courtesy of the Charter The Berkshires captain himself, Patrick Barone. Not only is he catching walleye throughout the Connecticut River but some pretty impressive ones at that. According to Patrick, this fishery is getting better to boot! Much like rivers closer to Boston, the cleanup of the Connecticut as well as it’s tributaries is paying handsome dividends. Benthic benefits along with a more prolific food chain are resulting in a more diverse environment which in the case of walleye is resulting in more fish as well as trophies! As proof a buddy of Patrick’s not long ago set the Bay State catch and release record with a 35-inch, 10-pound-plus beauty! Higher water and more current draw the fish in close among structure putting them within casting distance. Another river worth considering is the Swift. Patrick also has been spending some time wading the Swift River and he reports that wild brook trout remain scattered, be it Cady Lane, the Y Pool or wherever you may find them. Until the brookies set up on redds, rainbow trout – which follow and feed on the eggs – will be more random. He’s hoping that the big breeders begin the task of spawning soon which will be the trigger for better fishing.
While Massachusetts may be a few weeks off before lakes and ponds “catch” and form safe ice, there is a place not far from the border where anglers are already reveling in fine frozen water fishing – Maine! Scotty from Dag’s in Auburn Maine sent me a picture of a pig of a pike which he just landed from a cove in the Androscoggin River. The hardwater game is on there and the best part is that it is only the beginning!
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
While the frozen water fraternity awaits safe ice, open water trout universally remain the current best bet. That is unless you are familiar with river walleye hangouts in the South Hadley section of the Connecticut River! The other option for those who just can’t wait is a road trip across the border where Downeast pike are making short work of inattentive bait fish.
we got 30 and the next night 50 smelt last week in Boston area…I went again after the storm and everything disappeared! It was just starting to heat up… I give it another shot this week or just wait until smelt shacks open in Maine.
Jason, it’s awesome to hear that someone is still catching smelt. A generation ago, many an old salt preferred fishing for them over most everything else that swam in these parts. Historically they were always the antidote for cabin fever and offered anglers who didn’t mind a little chill the opportunity to catch something in the salt from late fall through winter. Sadly, smelt along with the eel grass they are so dependent on, have fallen on hard times. However, efforts to reintroduce eel grass to much of the harbor is ongoing and that just might help. If you strike out again try upstream of where you caught them last, they should be moving up in preparation to spawn. Good luck!