Anyone who has quabbin,wachussett exp...

[Jimi]

Hey, Spring is fast approching and I need people who are familiar with these waters and how to fish them give me some pointers and or spots to start. I would really appreciate any info....

[Keepah]

Never fished quabin but, have fished my fair share of wachussett. Your best bet is to do some exploring. Take a couple of full days and try a few different spots. It is a really large body of water and you are limited to shore access only. Any area you find that has steep drop offs near shore are your best bets for smallies and lakers. Try where tributaries open into open water early in spring and don't be affraid to use live bait. Some days it is the only thing that will work from my experience. Go onto the state website and do some research on regulations too. I know lead is a big no no. Like I said before, you really want to walk around and try many spots to get a feel for it. In my opinion the chu is not a numbers place but, if you are willing to put the time in you could be rewarded with a prize fish no matter what the specie. Good Luck.

[sdcfisher]

cant give you hot spots there but be carefull theres lots of eyes there (fish and game)

[Keepah]

Also a lot depends on what species you are targeting. You should definitely stop at the bait shop there and get a map.

[e-sea-e]

jimi- pm me with a phone number and I'll give you some info on the quabbin. I lived out there for 5 years and know it very well. if you are looking for bass, I can help you, but if your looking for lake trout/salmon, I dont really know much about those fisheries.

[tjf02]

Jimi,

I fish wachusett quite a bit. If you don't like to walk then you will be dealing with crowds. Are you going after trout/salmon, bass or all the above. It is best to choose a different gate to explore each time you go out, but here are a couple that have been good to me. First gate off route 70 coming from 140 (16) leads to a cove area (short walk) that is good for bass. Gate 8 leads to a beach (decent walk) that has a couple of holes off of it. Then the typical 36 where it is a short walk to the celler holes and a long walk to the rook. The rook has limited shore line to fish the holes there, allthough it does have some nice rocky shallow water for the bass.

Here is a good link for the gates http://www.mass.gov/mdc/2003WachAccfig6.pdf. Drop me a pm if you want a guest to go there with you.

Tim

[Jimi]

Thanks for the info. What kind of rod do you guys favor for smallies?

[casual dress]

Look for the Quinapoxet and Still Rivers that feed into Wachusett. Its stocked very frequently and holds native Lakers and put-and -take holdover salmon. They are located in Boylston.

Roland---

[haguebrook]

What is the opening date for Wachusett this year?

[Jimi]

I think at Ice Out. Soon As all the ice is gone

[Jimi]

I went to the stillwater river last year. It gets real thin and shallow only 50 or so yards up from the railroad bridge. Doesnt look like it holds fish....

[haguebrook]

Go a bit further upstream to see why the leg hold trap ban has allowed beavers to flourish and is well on the way to ruining one of Massachusetts' most productive trout streams. :mad:

[Jimi]

I need some beaver pelts..... A nice beaver loin cloth would be great!

[tjf02]

There are a couple of guys who tend to "walk" stillwater and break up the dams, but they tend to be built fairly quickly so it is a constant battle.

Stillwater is a great walking river with lots of switchbacks, and a few "holes". I will be looking at getting on it by the end of the month. Hopefully a predicate to another good year on Wachussett.

[Bugmaster]

And how do you think stillwater got those switchbacks? most likely from beavers. THe dams also increase stream flow during the warm summer months.

[tclprin]

I fished Quabbin since I was a little one (now 56!). Gate 8 was out favorite. With no boat, the point to the left of the launching ramp was good. There are lots of rocks and stumps.

From a boat, the wind can crank up like the ocean. Trolling to the left with Mooselook type lures can produce salmon. Lake trout due cruise close to shore in the spring, but tend to be bottom dwellers quickly. Shiners on the bottom was a go-to bait.

To me, Quabbin was always overrated. We spent hours before catching fish. Of course, I am now 2 miles from Duxbury Bay and striper heaven!

[Jimi]

Part of the reason I want to fish there is probably the serenity. Its super quiet. Lots of wild life, great setting. I Know the point you speak of. Thats the first place im tryin! Thank you for the info...

[Doublebait]

Here's a couple of Lakers from gate 8 from a couple of years ago

[Jimi]

Is the fishing still that good? Those are some nice fish.... What were u using?

[Doublebait]

We were fishing on the bottom in 90 ft. of water with shiners. The trick is to use 2 anchors so you don't swing around and bother other anglers. Good luck and get there very early if your going to rent one of the MDC boats. Yes the fishing is THAT good there.