With the weather getting warmer and the sun shining longer, the conditions are right for sitting back and casting a line in your local river, stream, pond or lake.
For those hoping to hook a trout, you're in luck as the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) has been restocking freshwater bodies of water across the Commonwealth with roughly 455,000 trout from four different species: Brook, Brown, Rainbow and Tiger.
The annual stocking, which began in March, is done with trout that are hatched and raised at the five MassWildlife hatcheries in Belchertown, Montague, Palmer, Sandwich and Sunderland. After roughly two years, the trout are then transported and placed in freshwater sources across the state (except Nantucket) every spring and fall. Last month, roughly 200 volunteers showed up in Worcester to help release 1,500 trout.
Before grabbing the pole and heading out, here are some things to know about trout fishing in Massachusetts.
Where can I find trout in Massachusetts?
MassWildlife has an interactive map on their website that displays waterways which have been stocked with trout. For those that have been stocked, a black pin marks the location and, when clicked on, displays the name and location of the body of water as well as when it was stocked and which species were placed there. Purple diamonds on the map represent waterways that have yet to be stocked, which will turn into black pin markers upon being stocked.
A searchable list of waterways that features the same information can be found below the map, where users can search by the body of water and town. A list of all of the waterways stocked by MassWildlife, broken down by district, can also be found on their website.
Do I need a fishing licence?
All anglers over the age of 15 must possess a freshwater fishing license that can be purchased online through MassFishHunt. Licenses for state residents aged 15-17 are free while its $33 for resident anglers aged 18-64, $16.50 for anglers aged 65-69 and free for anglers over the age of 70 or those with a disability. Out-of-state fishers can also purchase licenses, which are $7.40 for anglers aged 15-17 and $43 for anglers 18 and up. Additionally, a three-day temporary license can also be purchased at $15 for Mass. residents and $25.70 for those from outside the state.
None of the license prices include the $5 Wildlands Conservation Stamp applied to the first hunting or fishing license of the year bought by Mass. residents or any license bought by a non-Mass. resident. For those who hunt and fish, a combined sporting license, which includes both a hunting and freshwater fishing license as well as two antlered deer tags, can be purchased by Mass. residents for $61 for those 64 and under, $30.50 for those aged 65-69 and free for anyone over the age of 70. The sporting license is free for paraplegic hunters, both resident and non-resident.
What is the difference between each species of trout?
The Brook trout, also known as the Eastern brook trout, is the only species of trout indigenous to Massachusetts. Darker in color, they're known for their wormlike markings along their back and heads as well as yellow and red spots lighter than their body color surrounded by blue halos. Wild varieties typically measure under eight inches while those raised in MassWildlife fisheries are normally between 9-18 inches in length. Known as one of the easiest species of trout to hook, they will strike at nearly any style of lure and can be found in early every freshwater waterway. Take more caution with the wild variety, as they frighten easier.
The Brown trout, which is native to Europe and Asia, has been present in Mass. waters since the late 1800s. Named for its golden brown color, with splashes of silver on some fish, they have scattered, dark spots surrounded by silver halos and those stocked by MassWildlife are between 9-18 inches in length. Brown trout are noted as being one of the most difficult species to catch due to their easily frightened nature, skepticism of lures and tendency to be more nocturnal. MassWildlife recommends using minnow-imitating plugs, spoons, spinners and streamers and various moth imitations, particularly at night, as well as live shiners.
The Rainbow trout is one of the most famous species as well as the species most stocked by MassWildlife, accounting for over 60% of trout hatched by the organization. Native to the Pacific coast of North America, Rainbow trout are known for the reddish pink band that stretches from head to tail, small black spots and a wide, square tail. Popular among anglers not only for their looks but also their eagerness to bite, leaping abilities and for being one of the larger species of trout, with those stocked by MassWildlife measuring at least a foot in length. Like the Eastern brook trout, Rainbow trout will go after nearly any bait or lure, but MassWildlife most recommends using Berkley Fishing's PowerBait, specifically the marshmallow variety.
The Tiger trout is one of the rarest and most visually striking species, with its name coming from the species' distinctive stripe pattern. A sterile hybrid of a male Eastern brook trout and a female Brown trout, Tiger trout are raised at MassWildlife's Sandwich hatchery and only 2,500 are stocked per year, mainly in and around Cape Cod. Due to its rarer nature, it's one of the most sought-after species in Massachusetts as well as the largest, with those raised by MassWildlife measuring at least 14 inches at the time of release. The Tiger trout is known for using its large weight and size to its advantage when fighting off an angler, as well as for striking faster and harder than other trout. For best results in hooking one yourself, follow the same guidelines for catching a Brown trout and be ready for a bit of a battle.
Cameron Merritt is the Massachusetts Outdoors Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Primarily a sports reporter and photographer for the Taunton Daily Gazette, he can be reached at cmerritt@tauntongazette.com.
