Quabbin Reservoir, Massachusetts - Reports, Lake Info, Pictures

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Lake Buel - Fished for 30 minutes with a rubber worm from my canoe, caught 4 largemouth , largest was jsut over 5lb witht he others 12-14 inches. was a hot s... Continued

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Description:

Quabbin Reservoir is a Reservoir in Hampshire, Massachusetts.

Have you fished Quabbin Reservoir? Help your fellow anglers out by giving a fishing report, some fishing tips or general information about Quabbin Reservoir.

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The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest body of water in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was built between 1930 and 1939. Today along with the Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, some 65 miles to the east, as well as 40 other communities in Greater Boston and the MetroWest area. It also supplies water to three towns west of the reservoir and acts as backup supply for 3 others. It has an aggregate capacity of 412 billion U.S. gallons (1.56 km³) and an area of 38.6 square miles (99.9 km²). Quabbin Reservoir water flows to the Wachusett Reservoir using the Quabbin Aqueduct. The Quabbin watershed is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, while the water supply system is operated by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. The Winsor Dam and the Goodnough Dike form the reservoir from impoundments of the three branches of the Swift River. The Quabbin Reservoir is part of the Chicopee River Watershed.

Fishing Description:

The reservoir supports 27 species of fish, 17 of which are sought by anglers. Lake trout fishing is best during the first month of the season, declining slowly until mid September, when it improves till the end of the season. This species can be caught anywhere in April and early May, but gradually moves deeper and south as the season progresses. By mid July the only lake trout harvest occurs near the barrels on the Gate 8 side.

Landlocked salmon fishing is best in early May, declining quickly by late June. Some large individuals are taken in the fall, near stream mouths.

The next spring species is the smallmouth bass. The good fishing begins in mid May as the adults "stake out" spawning sites. Action declines quick by the end of June, when the young leave the nest. Overall, anglers catch between 35 and 50,000 smallmouths per year, with the catch being spread throughout the reservoir.

The other major fishery involves ½ to 1½ lb white perch. As the white perch move south in late June, serious anglers switch to Mepps spinners tipped with a piece of worm. Skilled anglers can harvest 50 to 100 of these large, white perch in a good day.

The DCR and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health have issued a health advisory for persons consuming Quabbin fish. The advisory recommends limiting or eliminating consumption of certain species of fish due to elevated levels of mercury found in fish samples.

Directions to Lake:

FROM BOSTON: Take the Mass. Turnpike to Exit 8 (Palmer). At the end of the Exit Ramp turn left onto Route 32 North and proceed for 8 miles. In Ware turn left at the green sign "Route 9 West" (just past McDonalds). Go 2/10ths of a mile to a stop sign. Turn left onto Route 9 and proceed west for 7 miles. Turn right at the green sign marked "Quabbin Reservoir - Winsor Dam" (Note: This will be the second green sign on your right. The first sign, located at the 5.3 mile mark, provides access to the main Quabbin Park area, including the Enfield Lookout and Quabbin Observation Tower). Turn right at this entrance and proceed 1/2 mile to DCR Quabbin Administration Building, the large brick building on the right.
FROM SPRINGFIELD: Take the Mass. Turnpike to Exit 7 (Ludlow). Turn right on Route 21 heading north towards Belchertown. Continue on Route 21 through Belchertown Center to Route 9. Turn right at the stop sign onto Route 9 east and proceed 2 miles to the green sign marked "Quabbin Reservoir - Winsor Dam". Turn left at the sign and go 1/2 mile to the large brick building which overlooks the reservoir.
FROM AMHERST: Take Route 9 east towards Belchertown. The entrance to Quabbin is 3 miles east of the intersection with Route 202 and is marked with a sign "Quabbin Reservoir - Winsor Dam". Turn left at the sign and go 1/2 mile to the large brick building which overlooks the reservoir.
FROM THE NORTH: Take Route 2 to Route 202 south. Proceed 21 miles to the traffic light at the intersection with Route 9. Turn left onto Route 9 east and proceed 3 miles to the green sign marked "Quabbin Reservoir - Winsor Dam". Turn left and proceed 1/2 mile to the large brick building which overlooks the reservoir.

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