Action at Quabbin

[MBullism]

Tuesday, August 19, 2003

Outdoors

By Joe Michniewicz
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE COLUMNIST

Action at Quabbin

Both the east and west sides of the Quabbin Reservoir continue to offer very good action on salmon, lake trout and holdover rainbow trout. The salmon are being taken at 40-60 feet on the west side and 35-45 on the east side. Lakers are being caught at 30 feet on the west side. Both fish are hitting small lures and size six streamer flies and are chasing young-of-the-year white perch. But remember, game fish can't stay at these depths very long. After feeding, they return to the depths. Smallmouth bass fishing is good on both sides.

 

[JRH]

Hi
I fish at Quabbin every spring and fall in my boat. What a great, great place. I have a pair of Big Jon downriggers and usually fish for lake trout down deep near the bottom trolling. Most of the other guys who fish there also use downriggers coordinated with a fish finder. It's the way to catch lakers. Most of my trolling is in the 60' - 90' depth and within 10' of the bottom.
I catch alot of "slot fish" in the 20"-23" range and you have to throw them back because they are the breeders. You can keep 4 lakers under 20" and one over 23". You can usually catch one over 23" down deep. Once in a while I fish for salmon up at much shallower levels also.
What I like most about Quabbin is it is a wilderness area and I often see bald eagles, loons, hawks, turkey and deer. Also because of the motor restrictions to 25 h.p. 4 stroke and 20 h.p. 2 stroke engine and fishing only it is a nice quiet place with no speeding boats or jet ski's !!!