Massachusetts Fishing Report – April 23, 2020

Odds are that right about now, you could use a bit of good news and boy do we have it for you! The first report of a successful flounder foray are in. As has a pretty legit report of South Shore schoolies. However, if you’d prefer to pass on the salt until next month then we have two interesting options to “Chu” on!

Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report

Great news regarding the Bay State’s premier freshwater fisheries – Wachusett And Quabbin Reservoirs – they both opened for fishing on Wednesday morning! I first heard about this from the shops out there and then I received verification from the DCR Rangers. While the Chu is exclusively a shore destination, Quabbin will be open to shore fishing only for the time being.

There’s more good news for those who would like to get their bait, gear and cheer at Wachusett, Eddie of B&A in West Boylston has been authorized to allow anglers into his shop. If patrons take all necessary COVID-19 precautions both in the shop and at the reservoir there should not be a problem. For a preview of the Chu, word has it that water levels are very high!

Regarding Quabbin Reservoir, I consulted the man from Orange – Rodney from Flagg’s Fly and Tackle in Orange. He listed his choice of gates for entry/fishing success at this mammoth water body. In order of preference, he gave the nod to Gates 35, 37, 16, 8, 31, 26, 27 and 43! Some of the better locations will require some serious hoofing but the views, pristine environment and hopefully, the fishing should make it all worthwhile!

Massachusetts South Shore Fishing Report

With April so far behaving like March’s lion, there hasn’t been a heck of a lot of anglers sampling the salt. But that may change thanks to a promising report of schoolies that I received from an experienced charter captain. Captain Mark Rowell of Legit Fish Charters was immersed in boat work between the Route 3A Bridge and Bridge Street on the North River but he couldn’t help but notice a feeding frenzy with cormorants bingeing on herring and the birds were not alone in the feast – he also saw schoolie stripers chasing the bait! The sheer volume of the gamesters seemed to indicate that these were fresh fish! Mark suggests that you follow the “green water” to find the fish! On the flood, the bait and bass will move upstream while on the ebb, it tends to be better closer to the mouth of the river.

Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said that with the spate of nasty weather few have been out enough to give much of a report. He was hopeful, however, after the recent report of fresh (possibly!) fish in the North River. There have been limited reports of haddock with the howling wind and rough seas keeping most at bay but if the South Shore reports shadow what is going on in the harbor, the fish should be in close! The same thing should apply to flounder with promising pre-season flounder reports trickling in from Boston.

Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Massachusetts

Greater Boston Fishing Report

After what seemed like light years since he last fished, Captain Jason Colby of Little Sister Charters was really in need of a flounder fix and on Saturday he got it, times four! It was hardly broadcast newsworthy stuff but for April and considering the severity of the times I bet it sure felt good in spite of the chill. While still in its infancy, the feeling is that just maybe we’ll catch a break with most of the draggers tethered to port and Massbay will have more life swimming in it. Not just flounder would get a boost but maybe even unsung species which we have occasionally in Massbay such as tautog, black sea bass and even fluke. It always comes down to fewer nets equaling more fish! Captain Colby found the flounder at Deer Island Flats which habitually warms up faster than other harbor habitats.

While Captain Brian Coombs of Get Tight Sportfishing didn’t have any present tense reports he was the first to give me good news which should pay dividends later. If you’ve been paying attention to fishery manager machinations, there was a proposal to open commercial fishing for striped bass in Massachusetts a full three weeks early on June 1st. For a stock which is already considered over-fished that move would have put the early summer Buzzards Bay biomass open to commercial slaughter. Many of us, including Captain Coombs, attended hearings and thankfully the DMF ruled in favor of the fish and those who appreciate the sport. Commercial fishing for striped bass will not be allowed until June 24th, amen!

Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy said that increasingly customers are putting away the Power Bait and picking up a couple of dozen seaworms and searching for that first flounder of the year. Other than Jason Colby, she hasn’t heard of any luck. There are whispers of fresh striped bass in the Weymouth Back River but this so far is merely conjecture. Odds are that proof of fresh striped bass is imminent.

Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett said that the haddock fishing from the outer harbor has been good for those catching a break in the weather. The humps, lumps and clumps between the B Buoy and Dumping Ground have been giving up a few as has Jeffrey’s Ledge and the 180’ contour line east of Stellwagen Bank.

Massachusetts North Shore Fishing Report

Jack from Tomo’s Tackle told me of a report of schoolie striped bass in the Bass River in Beverly.

Southern Jeffrey’s Ledge has been the sweet spot for spring haddock with 200’ of water the mark to look for. Jigs seem to be out-fishing bait with Shimano Butterfly Jigs, Nomad Jigs and Daiwa Rock Rovers all working well.

Rumor has it that mackerel are aggregating just outside of north shore harbors.

Whipping winds and chilly water temperatures have resulted in more misses than hits when it comes to shad according to Martha from Surfland. That’s not stopping anglers from trying. Until the weather normalizes the shop is not expected to stock seaworms so there is no word on flounder. Potential early season flounder spots to consider are the Plum Island River, Plum Island Sound and the mouth of the Essex River.

Matt from Three Lantern Marine in Gloucester said that a few anglers have been in search of flounder but no successes reported. There hasn’t been much to report on the haddock front either and as is the case with the other fisheries the fault lies with squarely with the weather and resulting lack of effort.

Want to get in on the bite? Find an OTW-approved Charter Fishing Captain for Massachusetts

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

For many of you, a hooked lake trout or landlocked salmon would be just the tonic needed in these times and for you folks, Wachusett and Quabbin Reservoirs awaits! Just be smart and stick to the established pandemic protocol to protect your fishing privileges around the commonwealth’s water supply. Stirring schoolies in the North River are hopefully the first wave of the spring run. Flounder can now be found off Deer Island flats and as water temperatures rise they will only get more active. Haddock have been caught at the outer harbor, the eastern edge of Stellwagen and right on top of southern Jeffrey’s Ledge!