Sportsman’s Corner: Spring means trout

Tuesday’s weather impacted everyone and was more than welcome! People were outdoors washing cars, clearing snowbanks, riding bikes and motorcycles and digging out clothes they have not worn since September.

The birds were singing and suddenly it seems like spring may actually happen after this brutal winter weather of the last few months. One thing that happens in the spring is trout stocking, and the stocking trucks are ready once conditions change.

So anglers, get ready! The trout stocking season is close and this spring, MassWildlife will stock hundreds of thousands of beautiful brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout in over 450 lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in 264 towns across Massachusetts. Stocking in set to begin mid-March as weather and ice conditions allow. Fishermen can visit Mass.gov/trout to get daily stocking updates and find a fishing spot near where you live.

MassWildlife raises trout that are as good as you will find anywhere. They provide anglers with great fun catching them and are delicious to eat. With five state-of-the-art hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague, the MassWildlife trout program is productive and efficient. Whether you are a fly fisherman, a spin fisherman, or a bait fisherman the game will soon be on.

If you are a seasoned fisherman or new to the sport, now is the perfect time to grab your gear and license, find a stocked body of water near you, and experience the thrill of reeling in a fresh catch. That license is easy to acquire by going online to MassFishHunt, or if you prefer in-person shopping, you can go to a retailer who sells licenses or visit any MassWildlife installation.

MassWildlife reports that this year’s fish are bigger and better than ever. While the quantity of stocked trout (measured in total pounds) has remained about the same for the last decade, MassWildlife has been steadily producing larger trout by adjusting hatchery growing techniques.

Just 10 years ago, less than 60% of stocked trout were over 12 inches—now, over 82% measure over a foot! Fishermen clearly prefer to catch bigger trout and that is what they will find again this year. The stocking schedule is driven by weather and eastern Massachusetts always will be ready earlier for trout stocking. Given the ice still remaining on local trout stocking targets, it may be a while before we see local spots show up on the website. However, take this as fair warning – dig out your gear and get it ready.

That preparation should always include respooling with fresh line. You don’t want to find out your line is too old when the fish of a lifetime snaps it. Get out the tackle box and do an inventory of needed accessories and lures. Quabbin fishermen have a lot of preparation ahead, with both the boat and specialized tackle requiring some attention. Quabbin boat fishermen can get a Quabbin Reservoir Boater ID Card online that makes the decontamination process easier. You can schedule a decontamination for your boat by calling the MDC at (413) 323-7221.

Ice fishing is not over. There is still ice on the local ponds and lakes, but use caution, as melting can create weak spots. As always, it is a good idea to have someone with you and you should have something to rescue yourself with, such as ice picks. They should always be around your neck, just in case. Some really like late ice fishing, as you may see underwater activity like bugs hatching and appearing in your hole. That almost guarantees feeding activity under the ice. Be careful and have fun!

My phone holds images taken the first week of March both of the last two years that show the dogs pointing returning woodcock. Each year some of the birds are early and show up in February. They will seek out seeps where they can probe for worms. Males usually are first as they seek to locate places to set up for the mating ritual that is so fascinating. The melting opens up more suitable habitat, and the birds will be filtering in over the next few weeks.

Turkeys are also moving about as the snow melts. Toms are gobbling and also trying to establish territory for attracting hens, but it may be a while before the hens get interested. Deer will also begin to show up in mowings and openings and they often appear disheveled. Part of that is related to the harsh snowy winter that covered the primary food supplies for a long period, but it is also due to the fact that they are shedding the outer winter layer of long guard hairs, and the summer coat will grow in.

Waterfowl are also arriving in numbers as the migration of ducks and geese is underway. Local waters are already showing greenhead mallard males who are either moving through or looking to establish areas to attract mates. There are ducks flying the Miller’s River, which has open water, while the ponds and lakes lag behind.

This writer was shocked when he went to book a flight to Kansas for my annual “visit sister”/turkey hunt. The Iran war has driven up fares almost double already. It took me a lot of time and ultimately one of the many “cheap airfare” sites produced an affordable, but not cheap, reservation.

The new practice of making you pay a second fee for choosing a seat is more than irksome! My timing had been delayed when my Kansas application for a non-resident permit did not get selected. That means traveling to Missouri and the Missouri season starts a week later. That does not leave me much time before the Massachusetts turkey season opens, but it is what it is!

So many choices once spring arrives. Looking to do more trout fishing and less chasing gobblers this spring. We will see how that pans out.

Mike Roche is a retired teacher who has been involved in conservation and wildlife issues his entire life. He has written the Sportsman’s Corner since 1984 and has served as advisor to the Mahar Fish’N Game Club, counselor and director of the Massachusetts Conservation Camp, former Connecticut Valley District representative on the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board, a Massachusetts Hunter Education Instructor and is a licensed New York hunting guide. He can be reached at mikeroche3@msn.com.