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Lakes & Reservoirs

Quabbin Reservoir Fishing Guide

Massachusetts

A huge water supply reservoir with lake trout and smallmouth bass.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Quabbin Reservoir for lake trout and smallmouth bass. The best months overall are Apr to Feb. In October, lake trout and smallmouth bass are in season, and Ned Rig, Suspending Jerkbait and Paddle-Tail Swimbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is K & S Bait Shop in Barre, 11 mi away. Swift River is 7 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Apr to Feb

In October

Lake Trout, Smallmouth Bass

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Quabbin Reservoir Species

Lake Trout

Prime Now
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Best: May to Jun, Oct to Feb

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Oct

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

5 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Lake Trout · Jigged deep.

    Shop This Lure

  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Casting Spoon 1/4 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Spoon · Lake Trout · Shallow after ice-out.

    Shop This Lure

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Lake Trout

Fly 8 to 9 wt rod with a full-sink line when fish are shallow after ice-out.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod, 20 to 30 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or downrigger trolling gear.

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Quabbin Reservoir

Rods

Ugly Stik Bigwater Trolling Rod

A long, forgiving trolling rod for downriggers and planer boards.

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Soft Plastics

Yamamoto Senko 5 in

The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Quabbin Reservoir

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Massachusetts · 7 mi

Swift River

A small, cold tailwater below Quabbin Reservoir with selective trout and year-round fishing.

Rainbow Trout · Brook Trout

Rivers & Streams · Massachusetts · 34 mi

Deerfield River

A Berkshire tailwater with catch-and-release trout water and wild browns.

Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout

Rivers & Streams · Connecticut · 45 mi

Farmington River

A cold tailwater with a catch-and-release trout management area and wild brown trout.

Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout

Rivers & Streams · Connecticut · 66 mi

Housatonic River

A big Litchfield Hills river with trout in the cold reaches and smallmouth bass in summer.

Brown Trout · Smallmouth Bass

Rivers & Streams · Vermont · 66 mi

Battenkill River

A classic Vermont trout stream near Manchester, home of the American Museum of Fly Fishing.

Brook Trout · Brown Trout

Rivers & Streams · Rhode Island · 68 mi

Wood River

One of Rhode Island's top trout streams, with wild brookies and stocked trout.

Brook Trout · Brown Trout · Rainbow Trout