Western Massachusetts offers spectacular mountain views, miles of hiking trails and a plentiful population of black bears. That much is commonly known, but the region's bountiful fishing is something of a well-kept secret. In western Massachusetts, you can catch a wide range of fish, and better yet, the fish you catch can make a tasty and nutritious meal.
Species
Expect to encounter a variety of fish species in western Massachusetts. Brook, brown and rainbow trout swim in many streams as well as some stocked lakes and ponds. Smallmouth bass can be found in rivers and lakes, while largemouth bass prefer lakes and ponds. Pickerel, northern pike, catfish, perch and several species of sunfish can all be caught in the region.
Lakes and Ponds
You'll find access at dozens of lakes, ponds and reservoirs in western Massachusetts, most of which offer fishing for a variety of species. Ashfield Pond, Cheshire Lake and Plunkett reservoir are good places to start, as are Laurel Lake, Otis reservoir and Pontoosuc Lake. Onota is a popular lake in the region, known for its trout, bass, pike and panfish in spite of receiving considerable fishing pressure. Spring and early summer are the most productive times to visit lakes in western Massachusetts, though ice fishing is a popular winter pastime here.
Streams
A number of streams in western Massachusetts offer excellent trout fishing for fly fishermen and bait fishermen alike. Trout are stocked in spring and fall in many streams, but some offer holdover trout as well as native populations that can be caught year-round. Green River, Hoosic River and Beartown Brook offer trout fishing, as do Depot Brook, Kinderhook Creek and the aptly-named Trout Brook.
State Parks
You can find fishing access in 19 state parks and state forests in western Massachusetts. October Mountain State Park, Beartown State Forest and C.M. Gardner State Park are all potential destinations for fishermen. Western Massachusetts is known for its scenery, and most parks in the region offer camping and hiking trails in addition to the fishing. The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, passes through several of the region's parks.
Handicap Access
The Massachusetts Office of Boating and Fishing Access has built and maintains a number of barrier-free, handicap-accessible fishing facilities in the state. If you are looking for barrier-free fishing in western Massachusetts, try the Burbank Park fishing pier on Onota Lake in the town of Pittsfield, or the Cheshire Lake fishing platform, located on Farnham Road in the town of Cheshire.
Licenses and Regulations
Fishing for most game fish in Massachusetts is open year-round. Creel limits and minimum lengths vary by species, and a complete guide to the taking of certain fish is available on the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife web site. Be sure to have a fishing license before you drop a line in western Massachusetts. You can purchase a license at bait shops and other retailers all over the state, as well as online. As of 2010, annual licenses cost $27.50 for Massachusetts residents, and $37.50 for nonresidents.
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