One article titled: Quabbin Bass’n Heating Up (Part 2) provided a chronicle of a couple of trips to the Big Lady earlier this season. The author discussed launching from Gate 43 and fishing rock piles and reed edges where they caught several superb largemouths ranging from 2 to 6 pounds on spinnerbaits and shiners. Later the duo traveled over to Hog Island catching some decent (1.5 to 2.5 pound) smallmouth bass mainly on spinnerbaits.

A little more than a week later another trip was made to the same area (Hog Island) where rainbow trout and quality smallies (one 5+ pound that got away) as well as several decent largies were very cooperative. These fish fell prey to spinnerbaits and floating Rapalas.

Another area of the page also provided fishing report from Flagg’s Flies in Orange about conditions around Gate 31.

Even though the magazine maybe named “Coastal Angler” it includes a freshwater section chock-full of helpful tips and info. Be sure to look for it in your local tackle shops and grab a copy (especially since it’s free!).

Quabbin Reservoir Bass Fishing Articles can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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After a very long, long winter hiatus, the folks at the Quabbin Reservoir Visitor Center announced last Friday (4/8), Quabbin fishing can commence on Saturday, April 16th!

Seems “Old Man Winter” finally released his frigid grip on Lady Q’s waters enabling DCR officials to make the call. The 2011 season will run from the 16th of this month through Saturday, October 15th …

Though boat launch areas are open 7 days per week during the season, specific hours of operation vary by season and can be found on DCR’s Quabbin Reservoir Fishing Guide Home Page <== clickable link directly to the page!

You can also download the 2011 fishing and boating guides and access up to date info on launch areas, boat and motor rentals and access fees from the page as well.

Quabbin Reservoir Fishing Season Opens: April 16 can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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I was pretty excited this morning when I received an alert about a fishing story running in the Boston Herald today (already suffering from cabin fever, how about you?) even though it was about trout.

(Trout are okay, I just happen to love bass, especially smallmouths!)

Anyways, the story was about an up and coming online businessman, Matt Lauzon of Gemvara, who expressed his love for the outdoors and fly fishing. This is something that definitely comes naturally to Matt since he was raised fishing the Saco River in Maine where he grew up.

Now that he lives in the Greater Boston area, he spends his available free time fly fishing around the Bay State but quickly notes his favorite trout fishing destination is the Swift River around Quabbin Reservoir.

Since there was a video accompanying the article, I decided to post it here so you could here what Matt says and not just my interpretation

Definitely brings up my thoughts of the Big Lady and the whole Swift River Valley area, how about yours?

Swift River Valley Fly Fishing can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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Many folks visit the Quabbin Valley area throughout the year to partake in all the region has to offer. When you stop and consider how great the fisheries of Quabbin Reservoir and the Swift River are combined with the numerous other outdoor recreational activities available, it is little wonder why the region is so popular.

Beyond fishing, one of the other magnets is the diversity of wildlife that is scattered through the hillsides of the valley and around the shores of the reservoir. Deer, turkeys, bald eagles, waterfowl, birds, varmints and yes even black bear might be seen around each bend or as you cross the hilltops …

As a matter of fact, here is a video showing a black bear swimming across one of Quabbin’s many coves just a few months ago …

Now that you’ve see this Quabbin Reservoir bear video, you’ll definitely know the answer to the question …

Are there really bears in the hills of the Quabbin Valley?

Absolutely!

Are There Bears Around Quabbin Valley? can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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Many of us, however, rarely stop and reflect upon the four towns and their inhabitants now resting beneath the glistening surface …

Here is a video I came across on You Tube where the both the lyrics and images tell the story of the Swift River valley area before the Big Lady was born …

Swift River Valley and Its Lullaby can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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Image via Wikipedia

Just when we think everything is looking up and starting to get better, a reality check often hits. After a warm and dry summer, fall has arrived often indicating an upswing in fish activity on Quabbin Reservoir.

Not many will argue with the premise that fishing on the Big Lady is great during the fall but in our case the reality is, the Quabbin fishing season closes on October 16th.

After the 16th we’ll still be able to avail ourselves to other resources Quabbin Valley offers us (apples, pumpkins and turning leaves for instance) of course but …

Take this as fair warning, pack up your tackle and take advantage of the fantastic trout, salmon and bass fishing days still left on the open season calendar!

Quabbin Fishing Season Winds Down can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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If you’re fortunate enough to be on the Big Lady and searching for lakers, think deep since they prefer cooler water (<55 degrees). During the early spring (right after Quabbin opens) lake trout can be found somewhat shallower when the water is still fairly cool. Favorite lake trout lures include minnow baits (Rapala minnows & Shad Raps) and spoons when trolling or jigs when fishing for concentrated, deep-water fish during the summer…

Quabbin Reservoir definitely yields some pretty nice specimens are shown in the following video …Enjoy!

Quabbin Reservoir Lake Trout Fishing can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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Image by noktulo via Flickr

This quick post may seem just a tad out of place since it does not have a direct relationship to Quabbin (except many of the anglers have likely been here), but this is the week of the BASS Federation Eastern Divisional Fish-off on Candlewood Lake down in Connecticut. This is definitely a non-Quabbin fishing event!

The dates run from 9/20 through 9/24.

Candlewood is another of the older regional reservoirs constructed over 80 years ago. Teams from each state in the Federation Nation’s Eastern Division have descended on the Danbury, CT area to compete for positions in the National Championship later this year. The anglers will find most fish relating to weed beds, offshore humps, and rock-piles or chasing schools of alewives that are gearing up for their trek back to the sea …

Good luck to all who made it to the Candlewood Lake Divisional!

A Non-Quabbin Bass Fishing Event at Candlewood Lake can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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Image via Wikipedia

Fall has arrived with both the air and water temperatures starting to cool. Not only do we get the benefit of more comfortable conditions but so will all fish species in Quabbin Reservoir, especially the bass family!

Changing environments cause bass to alter their behavior as well. Knowing how these changes impact Quabbin’s bass locations and actions can definitely help improve your bass fishing success on the Big Lady.

Here is a peak at five fall bass fishing tips to use on your next Quabbin Reservoir trip:

1. With the summer heat waning, both largemouth and smallmouth bass start drifting back to the shallows from their deeper water haunts; focus much of your time on the deep to shallow water transition areas …
2. Fish deep diving crankbaits, heavier jigs and carolina rigs or drop shots when targeting deep points by starting deep and working shallow during mid-day hours …
3. If fishing rocky shallow tapering points or flats, use suspending jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits or a swim jig for covering the water quickly …
4. Both species of bass are often roaming to feed on scattered pods of baitfish so stay mobile unless you locate a concentration of bass on structure It’s always a great idea to keep one rod rigged with a heavy metal spoon so you’re ready for schooling baitfish …
5. When fishing shallower bays with healthy vegetation, a weedless frog can be a killer but keep another weedless sinking bait (sinking worms like the Senko work great for this) for the bass that strike but miss …

And one last super-secret tip for the Quabbin …

Don’t forget to check out the areas around old submerged structures (roadbeds, foundations, etc.) as these can be fish magnets during the fall season!

Five Fall Bass Fishing Tips for Quabbin Reservoir can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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Image via Wikipedia

As part of the DOCR’s mandate to protect the waters and lands of Quabbin Reservoir and Reservation, controlled deer hunts are held each your to manage the herd thriving throughout the reservation area.

Initiated in 1991, the MDC (now DOCR) determined the size of the herd had grown (3 to 5 times state average) in several areas as to threaten Quabbin’s natural resources and therefore needed to be controlled.

Over time the size of the areas open for the hunt are changed depending on the deer densities present during any one season. This practice is meant as a conservation measure to protect both the herd and watershed.

More than 1200 permits were selected from 1850 eligible submissions with the hunters being assigned to one of the four segments identified for the 2010 deer hunt.

Successful hunters will be informed via regular mail within the next few weeks but a list of the selected license numbers can be obtained by clicking the following link:

2010 Quabbin Reservoir Deer Lottery Results

Annual Quabbin Reservoir Deer Permits Drawn can be found at: Quabbin Reservoir

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