“One person’s frustration over a frozen windshield is another’s reason to break into a happy dance”, an anonymous hardwater addict.
We who are afflicted with ACD – angling compulsive disorder – find it virtually impossible to pass a pond without taking at least a peek. Increasingly, those glances are revealing glazed-over surface water. The gods have spoken – exit open water, enter hardwater.
Massachusetts Fishing Report
Anticipating a season at least as good as last winter, shops all across the state are stocking up on ice fishing gear in preparation. Pete from Belsan’s Bait and Tackle in Scituate is no exception, as on the very day we talked, he was beginning the transition. If he had to hedge his bets regarding choice South Shore spots, he’d pick Lilly Pond in Cohasett as a favorite first freeze for crappie and bass. Tack Factory can be terrific for bass, as can be Old Oaken Bucket. After the first wave of freezes, look for Long and Little Pond in Plymouth to lock up with trout, the top target. Other promising Plymouth options are Little Flax Pond and Big Flax Pond, both of which are known to serve up the occasional lunker Larry.
Eric from Lunkers in Ashland told me that few have fished this fall in Ashland Reservoir and Hopkinton Reservoir, resulting in less pressure and potentially better fishing for trout once they lock up. Lake Cochituate is never to be discounted because of the nice mix of warm water species and trout stockings. Heard Pond and Fairhaven Bay are offshoots of the Sudbury River and are constantly infused with fish of all sorts, including pike. Winthrop Lake and Farm Pond are a few favorites of the shop as well.
Rick from Jerry’s Bait and Tackle in Milford mentioned South End Pond in Millis as another one of those prolific ponds that are connected to a river, in this case, the Charles River. As Rick put it, “it can’t be fished out” because of the ebb and flow of the mighty Charles, which ushers in not only a spectrum of warm water species but even trout! Stump Pond, also known as the A-1 Site, will always be tops on Rick’s list, and as proof, he offers up the 6-8 and 7-9 pound largemouth bass mounts, which are prominently displayed in his home. All the more amazing is that he caught them both out of the same hole on the same day in December! A few other hardwater hits in the area are Chauncy Lake, Little Chauncy, and Dudley Pond.
Rod from Arlington Bait and Tackle took a break from stocking the shop with tip-ups, augers, and other ice fishing goodies to highlight hardwater honey holes in the area. Spy Pond is noted for pike and tiger muskie due to legal stockings of the latter and not-so-legal stockings of the former. River herring, which wind their way up from the Mystic River, help keep those toothies hefty. In addition to offering a Greater Boston best bet opportunity to catch one of these apex predators, Spy grows some impressive largemouth bass as well. The pike and tigers cull out the herd with less competition, resulting in no emaciated, stunted, smaller fish but more hawgs instead. Fingers are crossed that the Mystic Lakes and Charles River coves will have adequate ice again, like last year. Rivers offer much more potential for fast-paced and multi-species fishing compared to “closed” water bodies.
So what does one do when the urge to fish bait hits when shops are not open? I was faced with just such a quandary the other day, but I found the remedy in front of Fishing FINatics in Everett, thanks to the storefront bait dispensers. I dropped a few bills into the cash slot and out came a dozen lively crawlers. That timely purchase resulted in a few feisty rainbows the next day. In this era of fewer shops and more restricted hours, it’s good to have such local convenience. Pete’s picks for ice fishing success for trout are Horn Pond, Walden Pond, and Whites Pond. Wright’s Pond is often a winner for warm water species, with some anglers finding the trip north to the sprawling Harold Parker Reservation worth the effort for its diversity of water bodies and species.
Not all are putting their casting prospects on hold until first ice, as apparently some are finding that Wachusett Reservoir lake trout fishing is just now hitting stride. It always comes down to the bait, and according to Eddie of B&A Bait and Tackle Co. in West Boylston, regulars are seeing smelt shoaling in close. Not surprisingly, this has resulted in a bump in the average size laker with several 4-5 pound, smelt-swollen lakers caught. As to where, Eddie listed the Causeway at first light as well as Gate 6 as two of the more productive locations. A few salmon are in the mix, and smallmouth are hanging in there. Blue/chrome Kastmasters and shiners are getting it done; that blue/chrome always seems to come into its own when the fish are on smelt.
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Gerry from Crack of Dawn Bait and Tackle in Phillipston opined that the reason so few have taken advantage of the prolonged Quabbin Reservoir shore season is that they are hitting the pause button before ice. Sheomet Lake is usually the first for safe ice in the Connecticut Valley Region and holds trout and warm water species. Lake Rohunta is among the region’s best black bass spots, with jumbo yellow perch and gills popular. Lake Mattawa is a frequent stop for the hatchery trucks and every year gives up big brown trout. While not numerous, slab Sallys and white perch also call this place their home. North and South Spectacle Ponds are renowned for killer crappie fishing.
While most ardent hardwater fans are hoping for safe ice by the end of the month, Josh from The Fishing Hole in South Hadley is betting on it within a week! A few buds and Josh expect to be creeping on big beautiful Berkshire black ice very, very soon. Please don’t give this a go until we pass along confirmation, but historically, Hilltown hardwater is the first to set up in the state. Trout are usually the top early targets with Plainfield Pond, North Pond, and Windsor Pond among the earliest to “ice in”. Not long after that, I’m sure Josh will be showcasing the big fish, big water potential of Cheshire Reservoir, Onota Lake, Pontoosuc Lake, and Lake Buel.
Massachusetts Fishing Forecast
While the open water door is slowly closing, the hardwater door looks as if it’ll soon be wide open. The trout triple threat – lakers, browns, and rainbows – are living up to their billing as cold water species as dropping temperatures bring them in close and hungry. You can still get in a few casting licks on Long Pond in Plymouth on the South Shore. Greater Boston open water options are Jamaica Pond, Houghton’s Pond, Walden Pond, Horn Pond, and Sluice Pond. For hardwater junkies, first up for first ice should be the sheltered ponds among the higher elevations of the Berkshires. A few to keep an eye on are Plainfield Pond, Windsor Pond, and North Pond. Sheomet Lake on the northern rim of the Connecticut Valley Region is another early freeze trout favorite.