Massachusetts Fishing Report- January 18, 2024

Massachusetts Fishing Report

It’s been a long time coming but all across the state shop owners and patrons alike are talking of – ice! During the infancy of the season smaller water is the safest and best choice but if you don’t mind pointing your ride out west there’s bigger all around including a species of fish which is fond of – whole mackerel!

From my perspective it’s a refreshing change to call shops and find that they are actually open and have a report to offer! Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate told me that smaller ponds are beginning to catch and there’s optimism that this weekend will be a go for local ice! In preparation for that plausibility the shop will have on hand everything from trout /panfish goodies to offerings that will draw love from a bucketmouth Larry. Among the first to freeze for warm water species is the Widow’s Walk golf course pond, Old Oaken Bucket Pond, Lilly Pond and Jacobs Pond. Further up the road, Nuno from Lunkers in Ashland listed Dudley Pond, Ponkapoag Pond, Heard Pond, Farm Pond and Winthrop Lake as habitually early hardwater producers. There’s also a chance for Cochituate trout as well as Sudbury River pike. Expect things to move quickly over the next few days as favorable conditions persist for the ‘ice in” call! Rod from Arlington Bait and Tackle as well as Bruce Round from Rounds Hardware in Stoneham all told me that bait orders are coming in fast and furiously now! While there’s no word on safe ice in Greater Boston yet check in with these guys for the latest by this weekend.

Thanks to my friends out west ice fishing prospects have moved from conjecture to solid ice underfoot! Condolences to Josh from The Fishing Hole in South Hadley as he had to mind the shop on Thursday while friends of his were fishing over 3-4” of solid ice on Cheshire Reservoir. Something tells me he couldn’t take his eyes of his phone as he anticipated torturous texts! His buds are packing big goldens, suckers and – whole mackerel. Don’t laugh at the last one. I recall fishing with pike sharpie Dan Southwick who, along with every packing every conceivable Esox essential, brought along a flat of sea herring. To sustain that bulk pike need a lot of calories and seldom pass up a big meal be it dead, alive or apparently salty. Josh also tipped me off to good ice on Lake Onota, while Pontoosuc was still a work in progress.

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Any discussion regarding ice out west has to include Martin Farrell of B&R Bait Shop on Cheshire Reservoir! His shop is stacked and stocked with every imaginable type of gear and bait including suckers. While no word on the toothy bite, Martin did say that guys were out on the middle basin of Cheshire Reservoir. Additionally the fishing has been good at Windsor Pond and Newton Pond with the former giving up trout. Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston told me that on Thursday morning anglers were already coming through the door looking for bait: a sure indication that there’s central Mass ice. As to the where, Eddie listed Comet, South Meadow, East Waushacum and Maple Springs as first ice prospects. As for the northeast consider Lake Attitash for pike and smallmouth as well as the coves/oxbows of the Merrimack River in the Lawrence/Haverhill area for the same species.

Massachusetts Fishing Forecast

After what seems like years without, we’re all pumped to revel in that first flying flag but please proceed with caution when you get out there. Bring along ice picks, rope and buddy up for safety. Sample the ice with a spud/ice chisel as you creep out to your destination. The season is anew and hopefully it will have longevity. Enjoy but be careful out there!