STOCKING, CLOSINGS AND OTHER STUFF

September 25, 2001 - The news originating from the Massachusetts District Commission and Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is bleak concerning public access to the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoir impoundments. Due to the tragic events of September 11^th, as of 1 p.m., September 24^th the decision was made to suspend public access to both resources for the foreseeable future.

This closure includes fishermen’s access Gates 8, 31 and 43 of the Quabbin, but it is our understanding that the Swift River tailwater will continue to remain open to angling below Windsor Dam. In a statement released by, John Scannell, acting Wachusett superintendent, public access to the Wachusett reservation, reservoir proper and consequent dam has been indefinitely suspended as a precautionary measure. Until clarified, we believe that this mandate includes the Thomas Basin, along River Road, and the Stillwater River tailout thus ending any notion of pursuing landlocked salmon during their fall spawning run. Please be advised of these changes.

FALL STOCKING
Hatchery trunks have begun to roll in the Central Wildlife District of Massachusetts and will continue their chore until the initial week of October. This years bounty of approximately 11,000 salmonoids include rainbow trout in the 9-14 inch bracket and brown trout in the 12 inch range. Watersheds due to receive new residents are the Swift, Westfield, Quaboag and Millers Rivers. Due to temporary low water levels it is still unclear if this year’s stocking will include the Ware River and tributaries as was the case in 2000 when angler’s enjoyed some exceptional autumn angling throughout the watershed.

OVERCROWDED STREAMS?
We can speculate, assume, draw conclusions, offer theories, but we simply can’t argue with cold, hard facts. The US Fish & Wildlife Service recently released their annual license statistics report and the data was found to be quite interesting.

In the year 2000, the State of Massachusetts issued 181,790 fishing licenses which was 6.3% below the previous five year average (1996-2000) and well in arrears of the high water mark of 193,299 set back in 1996. The southern New England states of Rhode Island (-5.5%) and Connecticut (-4.6%) suffered a similar fate.

To our north this was simply not the case as Maine (+5.7%), New Hampshire (+2.3%) and Vermont (+4.0%) issued modest increases.

North Dakota (+23.6%) led the league in gainers, while Maryland (an amazing -38.1%) brought up the losers bracket. License sales nationwide dropped to 29.6 million, down from 29.7 million in 1999 which translates to 127,394 fewer anglers. While this fluctuation should be no cause for concern (2000 vs. 1999), when the 2000 figures are compared to 1996 sales a 1.2% decrease is realized (349,804 fewer anglers nationwide).

Good fishing and safe wading,

JB