Massachusetts Fishing Report – February 13, 2020

With ice fishing opportunities in the Bay State shrinking faster than an ice cube in a cup of coffee, some are scurrying to get their hardwater fix in before it’s all gone. Others however are embracing open water with one of the better open water possibilities being a late winter big bass.

Massachusetts Fishing Report

When I talked to Pete of Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate this week we began reminiscing about big early season largemouth bass. Pete likened most years to a way to celebrate Saint Paddy’s Day – kind of like green beer, without the hangover! That mid-March anticipation was based on the time ice would usually be out, which certainly is not the case this year. The upside to a lack of ice is a potentially early season Larry bite. With no ice fishing pressure this year, it should be especially good! Pete also said that for much of the year most ponds in the area are ensnared in so much growth that open water fishing is difficult at best. A few best bets from Mr. Belsan are Oldham Pond in Pembroke, Aaron River Reservoir and Old Oaken/ Greenbush Pond, which is in the vicinity of Pete’s old shop. But the list doesn’t stop there, the South Shore is dotted with a number of potential big bass producers. One of the triggers which brings in big largemouth this time of they year is the yellow perch spawn. If you’re thinking that you have to wait for the first round of “truck trout” before you consider open water fishing – think again.

Nuno from Lunkers in Ashland said that ever-so-slowly open water opportunities are opening up. In addition to holdover trout from Ashland Reservor and Hopkinton Reservoir some are fishing for bass. Rivers are the first water bodies to shake free of all ice making the coves of the Charles River in the Waltham area prime for floating a shiner. Nuno also mentioned the Sudbury River and Heard Pond. Lake Cochituate should be next on the list. Closer to Boston check out Whitman Pond, Jamaica Pond, the Charles and Mystic Rivers. You never know when a non-descript little place such as the Brookline Reservoir will deliver a big bass surprise.

Donny from Merrimack Sports said that there was just enough ice to thwart any serious attempts to open water fish, save the rivers such as the Shawsheen, Concord and Merrimack. However there are a few exploring those rivers where black bass, white perch and pike prowl. The shop has plenty of outsized bait for a major fish looking for a large meal.

Once again the Connecticut Valley Region offers refuge for hardwater junkies who just can’t quit it. From the perspective of Rodney Flagg of Flagg’s Fly and Tackle in Orange, all seems to be just ducky! Lake Mattawa appears to offer an inexhaustible volume of big yellow perch. A few guys who intimately know the lake continue to pound jumbos. The key is to skip on the small stuff and offer those big yellows a big shiner! Mixed in with the big perch are some impressive smallies, Larrys and brown trout. Barton Cove is still offering up a mixed bag of everything from bass to walleye to pike, just be cognizant and cautious since this is the Connecticut River. Being on the doorstep of Lake Rohunta, you would expect Rod to know it really well and you’d be right. Apparently others fishing it aren’t as familiar since according to Rod, the best spots – especially for bull ‘gills – have been largely untouched. I’d say that the remedy to that is as simple as asking Rodney the next to you gear up and grab your grubs in the shop. Patrick Barone of Charter The Berkshires said that he is experiencing an uptick in activity among largemouth bass and bluegills among the Hilltowns he is familiar with. The bass are coming in close in pursuit of perch and the gills are moving out of the weeds. As long as the ice holds out there is the real possibility of catching a trophy among both species right now and pictures of his patrons are proof.

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Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

More than a few of you probably fished the ice fishing tournament centered on Lake Winnipesaukee last weekend. While that event had many merits, peace and quiet weren’t part of the program. A little secret is that if you fish this weekend you’ll often have it all to yourself. However something can be said about sticking a slab Larry on the South Shore in mid-February. Hang a hawg this week and you’ll be thinking that the hatchery trucks can wait!