With one eye on a less-than-frosty future forecast, hardwater junkies have been playing hooky and striking out on ice that heretofore hadn’t been safe. Nostradamus would have a hard time predicting what the next week will bring but for Friday and Saturday morning at least and especially out west, there’s plenty of ice.
Massachusetts Fishing Report
Despite my attempts, there hasn’t been a whole lot to report from Eric and Lunkers in Ashland. However, he did tell me that shop fanatics pounced on flash-frozen water and found fish from Little Chauncey Pond, Nonesuch Pond and Dug Pond. It’s always a good idea to incessantly spot check the ice on your route out but never more than this year. Moreover, ensure that you take the same exact route back and always give it a go with a buddy.
Even though I can’t fish it, I can’t help but vicariously take a peek at Wachusett Reservoir through the eyes of Eddie of B&A in West Boylston when we talk. According to Eddie, the Chu’ is wide open save for the Stone Church area. If you’re grappling with winter, think pleasant thoughts of Wachusett in April. Surprisingly the shop is doing a brisk business as some are finding nearby ice. Some patrons are poking holes through the sheltered southern coves of Comet Pond where there are trout. Eddie’s also hearing of decent hardwater at Chapin Pond in Ludlow.
David of Merrimack Sports on Tuesday spot-checked Lake Attitash in Amesbury and found 4 inches of solid ice and with favorable conditions the lake should have added more. There’s much more ice upstream of the Lawrence Dam on the Merrimack River where anglers are also catching pike. Other spots where anglers are venturing out are Country Pond in Southern New Hampshire which flows into the Merrimack River, meaning that most anything could be swimming around in there. Artichoke Reservoir is also getting angling attention.
If Rod’s report from Flagg’s Fly and Tackle in Orange is any indication, the Connecticut River Valley Region is the Bay State’s best bet! Barton Cove has been giving up steady catches of walleye with one specimen a beautiful 7-pound female! The conservationist who caught the fish took a quick picture and released the egg-laden female back to make more walleye! Two anglers fishing Lake Mattawa had a banner day recently which included 27 13-14” yellow perch, a couple 16” largemouth bass and a few gorgeous brown trout. It’s looking like an ice fisherman’s Nirvana out there right now.
There is no substitute for hands-on experience and Patrick Barone of Charter The Berkshires has plenty of that thanks to his guide service which keeps him out there. His pick of the week is Buckley Dutton Reservoir in Beckett which is a good size water body loaded with warm water species.
Regarding western Massachusetts warm water species water bodies, Jim from JCB in Cheshire gave the nod to Crooked Pond in Plainfield. Lake Pontoosuc in Pittsfield will be the site of the annual Lanesborough Volunteer Fire Department Fishing Derby this Saturday. As a sign of the times, the derby had to be postponed a week due to questionable ice. By all accounts, this event is a fun way to spend a day with a lot of participation and prizes. Jim’s been a supporter of this derby for years!
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Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
Barton Cove on the Connecticut River offers the rare chance of not only catching a Bay State walleye but a trophy to boot! Lake Mattawa is the pick for a real variety. If the questionable conditions by the coast got you down, there is also relief north of the border. In fact “ice in” has officially been declared in Lake Winnipesaukee and I have word that folks are even getting out on Sebago Lake. If Andy Nabreski’s piece on the On The Water website about Maine smelt camp has you salivating to try it for yourself, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the camps are now open for business and I have heard that the bite is hot!