Fishing Report For Wachusett Reservoir, MA

Current Report: air To Good

Wachusett Reservoir is considered a good, smallmouth bass fishery and is home to the state record of over 8 pounds. Since anglers are limited to fishing from specific sections of the shoreline, many bass never see a lure. Tube baits in crawfish colors continue to fool smallmouth here. Typically, long casts are in order. In cooler months, the fishing is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

WINTER. The reservoir is closed to all fishing from December 31, through the first Saturday in April. Access for fishing is limited to the following areas: Route 70 via Gates 6 to 16, Route 140 via Gates 17 to 24, Route 12/110 via Gates 25 to 35 and West Boylston via Thomas Basin.

APRIL & MAY. After ice out, when water temperatures rise into the 50's, smallmouth move from deep wintering spots to shallower water, just outside spawning areas. They feed heavily in 8 to 20 feet of water at this time, and are typically caught on jerkbaits, crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, and crayfish imitating plastics. Once water warms into the high 50's, they move into shallower water, and create nests in gravel or sand areas, then lay their eggs. The shoreline where Route 110 contours the north section of the lake, the Scar Hill area, and the northeast section along Boylston Street, are some common spawning areas. Females then move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move into 15 to 20 feet deep, and feed aggressively.

SUMMER. Smallmouth bass are currently feeding shallow early and late in the day in 8 to 15 feet of water. They are being caught on topwater, crankbaits, swimbaits, Ned rigs and tube baits. Smallmouth bass here feed on crawfish and small sunfish. They prefer rocky or gravel bottom areas, as this is where crayfish live. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught deeper, around 20 feet deep.

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER. Fall is in full swing and smallmouth have followed schools of baitfish into coves and bays 12 to 20 feet deep. They thrive in this cold, clean water, which is an ideal environment for them. Locals report that tube jigs, and drop shot rigs with small worms or shad shaped plastics, are popular. Worms, jigs, deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits, are also successful, when bass are shallow to mid depth. Later in Fall, smallies move to slightly deeper water. Fishing shallow for smallmouth is often good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

Current Report: Good

MassWildlife reports a 39" laker being caught recently from Wachusett Reservoir, and 20" late trout are quite common. Lake trout prefer deep water, nearby even deeper water. This is where they cruise and feed on small fish. Lures imitating baitfish, sunfish or small trout are catching nice lakers here. Flashy spoons can be fished at any depth, making long casts and slow, steady retrieves. Long rods and heavy lures are important, and most successful anglers us a minimum of 7' rods and lure weights in the 3/4 oz to 1 oz range.

WINTER. The reservoir is closed to all fishing from December 31, through the first Saturday in April.

APRIL & MAY. Prime laker fishing season is during Spring. Spring weather finds lake trout, along with baitfish, into 20 to 60 feet of water. Early Spring is a prime time to catch big lakers. Lakers are caught in areas of the lake which have deep water next to shallower, feeding spots. Jigs and heavy spoons are catching the majority of them. Later in Spring they typically drop into 60 to 70 feet of water.

SUMMER. Summer heat drives lake trout deeper, generally below the thermocline in 60 to 80 feet deep. Early and late in the day, lakers may feed slightly shallower. Generally, lake trout prefer to stay deep, below the thermocline, throughout Summer. They look for depth variations like ditches, channels, humps and ledges, but are being caught in the deeper water around this structure. Heavy spoons and jigs produce many of the lakers being caught during Summer.

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER. Lake trout are returning to relatively shallow water, as Fall weather cools the lake. They spawn in the Fall, and for a few weeks can typically be found 20 to 50 feet deep on points, flats and humps that have a rocky bottom. The shoreline near Old Stone Church, and from the Route 140 Bridge through the channel in the Thomas Basin, is a popular area during the Fall. Lake trout feed on small fish, so lures imitating baitfish, sunfish, perch or small trout are good choices. This is the best season for catching lakers from shore, as they are feeding in shallow water. Cloudy days, early mornings and early evenings are the best time to catch a big laker. Later in Fall they return to deeper water. For big lakers, use larger baits.

Current Report: Good To Very Good

This is home to the state record white perch weighing 3 1/2 pounds. They grow fat and sassy here, as they get limited fishing pressure. Jigs tipped with nightcrawlers, grubs or prepared bait catch perch here year after year.

WINTER. The reservoir is closed to all fishing from December 31, through the first Saturday in April.

APRIL & MAY. Perch spawn in Spring when the water temperature warms to the mid 50's and mid 60's. Docks, bridges, vegetation, trees and brush all attract white perch in search of a meal. Anglers catch them 4 to 18 feet of water, using spinnerbaits, spinners, mealworms, maggots, and nightcrawlers. Late Spring finds perch in 8 to 18 feet of water, on flats and points.

SUMMER. Fat white perch here feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates. Spinners, underspins, small crankbaits, mealworms, nightcrawlers and maggots are catching perch in 6 to 20 feet of water. The Narrows, around Scar Hill, the causeway and points off the main basins are all popular areas during Summer. Seek them out around drop-offs and areas with submerged vegetation. Later in Summer they tend to stay suspended in schools along the main channel edges, and near structure breaks.

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER. Early Fall finds white perch feeding in 5 to 15 feet of water. Later in the season, they begin to migrate deeper, toward Winter holding areas. Spoons, ice jigs, and jigs tipped with bait are catching quality white perch, according to reports by locals. These perch are growing to good size due to fertile water and plenty of vegetation and cover.