CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Whether fishing recreationally or for dinner, every angler has their favorite spot to go, but what if you are just starting?
Do you need a license to fish in Massachusetts? As summer continues, more and more fishermen will be casting their lines, and Massachusetts has lots of fresh-water fishing locations. Some top spots to fish in western Massachusetts, according to Visit Massachusetts , are:
Located in Charlemont, you can fish for trout over 18 miles of rivers and streams. This park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. You can also camp there from May until mid-October.
At this state forest in East Otis, anglers can trout and bass fish deep in the Otis Reservoir. A boat launch is available for boats up to 24 feet in length, and no boats with bathrooms are allowed on the Otis Reservoir.
Hampton Ponds State Park is located near Westfield where you can fish, canoe and kayak, swim, and more. If you are interested in having a picnic, they offer grill-equipped picnic areas.
Savoy Mountain State Forest in Flordia offers more than 50 miles of trails where you can fish for rainbow, brook, and brown trout, among other species, from a canoe or shore at North and South Ponds.
This 25-acre warm water pond is located just northeast of the Massachusetts Pike and Route 21 intersection. The fish population was last sampled in the 1980 summer survey and the species that were found were largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, killifish, and white perch. Trout are stocked annually to create a put-and-take urban fishery.
Chesterfield Gorge is a rock canyon forming the entrance to a natural recreation area along the Westfield River which is a popular spot for catch-and-release fly fishing.
You can either fish at Dean Pond, Dearth Hill Pond, or Woodman Pond, as well as any brooks you may come across. This forest has over 20 miles of roads and trails for hiking, walking, and horseback riding.
This lake is said to be a source of “trophy” trout for fishermen, as the state stocks that lake with trout every spring. Many other species also are found here, such as Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, White Sucker, Golden Shiner, Rainbow Smelt, and Banded Killifish.
In Massachusetts, it is required to have a fishing license. Freshwater fishing license costs vary on whether you are a resident, non-resident, or just looking for a three-day pass.
Local News
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.
Local Massachusetts State
Most Popular
Comments / 0