In a bygone era, New England sportsmen divided species into two categories: trout and junk fish. While in retrospect that was foolish, it underscores how lucky we are in the northeast to have at our disposal salmonoids of many different persuasions. That appreciation is all the more timely as saltwater options dry up.
Massachusetts Freshwater Fishing Report
Pete from Belsan Bait and Tackle in Scituate said that Plymouth’s Long Pond is tops for those targeting trout. While Power Bait is working well for stocked rainbows, those who are inflating worms off the bottom are catching some impressive brown trout. A few are also toting pails of shiners and hitting Old Oaken Bucket Pond, Pitts Pond, and the Scituate Reservoir and doing well on largemouth bass. Some of the more productive water for Larry can be found in Duxbury water bodies, but details as to the exact “where” is closely guarded among the faithful, but those doing their homework should be able to find a few. As for the salt, anglers who still have their boats in the water or on a trailer are finding tog up to 21” among South Shore ledge.
Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Milford told me that most of the angling activity is taking place in trout water, such as Ashland and Hopkinton Reservoirs. While rainbows are the most common catch there, those fishing Comet Pond are finding browns as well. The other noted brown trout spot is South Pond in the East Brookfield/Sturbridge area, which is one of the few Bay State designated “trophy” trout waters. There’s little wonder why that’s the case with the forage base consisting of landlocked alewives. South Pond can get a little wild with residents of the water body remarking how, in summer, when the windows are open, they can hear big browns pummeling the prey on the surface. Shiners trolled over humps are very effective here. Elsewhere, bass and pike are being targeted in the Oxbow.
Eddie from B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston said that female salmon have joined the smaller males throughout the Stillwater River. There is still silence on what effect, if any, the removal of the Quinapoxet Dam has had on the river and how it is expected to impact Wachusett Reservoir. I’ll see if I can get a perspective on that from local biologists. I’ve been out a bit with a few pals, and we’re finding perch-patterned/firetiger Kastmasters are working really well right now for lakers. That’s not surprising because ordinarily perch fry are swarming the shoreline about now. While off-the-shelf lures certainly work, check out Eddie’s embellished versions with color-matched tail dressing. Anglers who try them swear that that extra flash makes a difference. A blown-up crawler will do the trick for rainbows up to 3 pounds, as well as black bass and white perch.
Gerry from Crack of Dawn Bait and Tackle in Phillipston told me that Lake Dennison and Mattawa have been fishing well for rainbow trout as well as holdover brown trout. Lake Rohunta has been good for Larry, while the South and North Spectacle Ponds are the pick for crappie. While not a stampede, anglers are getting out to the Quabbin to take advantage of this rare opportunity to shore-fish it until the end of the year. He suggests that those who long for Lakers should check out the Gate 35 area.
Shawn from Merrimack Sports said that some large Larrys have been taken on big shiners from Artichoke Reservoir and Powwow Pond. Lake Attitash has given up a few respectable Sallys as well. As water temperatures dip, the pike bite in the Merrimack should only improve. The shop’s suggestions are at the confluence of the main river with the Spicket and Shawsheen Rivers; Kimball Island and Stanley Island are two interesting options as well. For most, however, it’s trout time with Plugs Pond, Round Pond, and Forest Lake being a few of the favorites. As for Plug’s, the area by the cemetery has been especially productive.
Massachusetts Saltwater Fishing Report
When there is a break in the blow, the Buzzards Bay blackfish bite has been booming aboard the Little Sister. During a recent trip, Patrick McEachen from Quincy put on a clinic as he tallied 9 keepers to the boat’s total of 21! Additionally, he even out-fished Captain Colby by a wide margin, which, believe me, is no easy task! When asked how he became such a high hook, he referenced his learning years at Jamaica Pond while developing the right touch with brood stock salmon as well as big brown trout. While not there yet, the season is winding down for the Little Sister. The eventual wrap-up will be extensive with cod, tog, black sea bass, winter flounder, fluke, bonito, mahi mahi, hake, scup, bluefish, and striped bass all part of the catch. If you know of another charter captain who fishes for such a diversity of species, I suggest you get a witness. While nostalgia is nice, catching in the present is better, and if you hurry, you can still book a trip!
Lisa from Fore River Fishing Tackle in Quincy told me that anglers are still catching striped bass (remember them?) in the Weir and Weymouth Back Rivers. Smelt continue to be successfully targeted off piers throughout Hull, Quincy, and South Boston. A sabiki rig jigged off Pemberton Pier or Nut Island Pier is likely to come tight to a rack of mackerel and just maybe a harbor pollock or two. Elsewhere, freshwater fishing is the focus for most, with Whitman Pond, Cushing Pond, and Lilly Pond all giving up Larrys. Trout also have their fans with Jamaica Pond, Houghton’s Pond, and a plethora of ponds throughout the Southeast, drawing interest.
Pete Santini of Fishing FINatics in Everett told me that he still has a few eels left, with anglers putting them to good effect while fishing under the Alford Street Bridge as well as the North Washington Street Bridge. Late-inning linesiders are having a hard time leaving those places as herring fry continue to trickle out. Small to medium shiners are getting it done for crappie throughout the Charles River, Mystic River, and Malden River. Larger shiners and blue Kelly Worms are doing the trick in the same water for largemouth bass. Chartreuse Power Bait is in hot demand thanks to willing Walden Pond and Horn Pond trout.
“Mackerel!”, so said Marty from Tomo’s Tackle when asked what was biting! Piers throughout the North Shore are holding macks as well as the occasional tommycod and harbor pollock. Salem Willows Pier does have nondescript, smaller, thinner forage; smelt, possibly? Other piers that have possibilities are the Lynn Pier, Heritage Park, Fisherman’s Beach in Swampscott, the commercial pier in Marblehead Harbor, the Beverly Pier, Gloucester’s State Pier, and the Granite Pier.
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
Anglers shaking off the November chill are keeping busy with South Shore and South Coast tautog. If fishing to you begins and ends with seven stripes, take it to the river with the Weir, Weymouth Back, Charles, and Mystic still holding fish. Trout remain the top target with Long Pond in Plymouth chock full of rainbows as well as the occasional big brown trout. Closer to the Hub, Jamaica Pond, Walden Pond, as well as Horn and Houghton’s remain hot for trout. Farther out west, Wachusett Reservoir, Quabbin Reservoir, Lake Dennison, and South Pond are all receiving rave reviews. Not to be ignored is what awaits north shore anglers with northern pike in the Merrimack and Powwow Pond largemouth being two of the top choices.