MASS TO EXPAND C&A AREAS

August 7, 2003 - In July, the Fisheries & Wildlife Board voted on new fishing regulations concerning trout and the establishment of Catch and Release areas in the Berkshires and southeastern Massachusetts. These regulations will take effect in January of 2004. "The establishment of new Catch and Release areas diversifies recreational fishing opportunities in the state," says Fisheries Assistant Director Dr. Mark Tisa. "For the Berkshires, this is especially significant, as the closest Catch and Release areas were located in the Deerfield and Westfield River watersheds."

In the Berkshires, two Catch and Release areas were established on the Housatonic River. The first, in the town of Lee, runs from Route 20 downstream to the Willow Mill Dam. The total length is six miles. The second is located in the Glendale area of Stockbridge and runs from the Glendale Dam downstream one mile to the railroad crossing. Outside the Catch & Release boundaries on the entire stretch of the Housatonic River, a possession limit was set of one trout of 20 inches or larger. Additionally, fishing is prohibited from June 15 to August 31 at the following posted locations: 100 feet from mouths of Beartown Brook, Goose Pond Brook, Hop Brook, and Mohawk Brook and 100 feet both upstream and downstream on the Housatonic River where these brooks empty.

In southeastern Massachusetts, a new Catch & Release area was established on the entire length of Red Brook in Plymouth and Wareham. The Quashnet River Catch and Release area in Mashpee was extended to include the entire length of that river. Higgins Pond in Brewster was removed as a Catch and Release area. Anglers in Catch and Release areas are reminded that only artificial lures may be used and possession of live bait is prohibited.

Sea run brown trout regulations were also removed on eight coastal streams (Parker River, Jones River, Scorton Creek, Childs River, Coonamessett River, Santuit River, Mashpee River, and Quashnet River) and replaced with a three trout daily creel limit on each stream.

ON INTO AUGUST
With the prospects of ten consecutive days of precipitation in the offing the forecast is not good for area freestones. At best these rivers generally do not hold up very well during normal summers, however the increased flows will be a benefit in the long run. Prior to this last bevy of showers the Farmington's C&R area was enjoying some fantastic mid-summer fishing along with the Swift in Belchertown and the Deerfield River south of Fife Brook Dam. These "flow controlled" tailwaters may offer anglers the only option to enjoy reasonable fishing throughout the month of August.

Good fishing and safe wading,
JB