Conference wahoo::fishing

    I fished the Quabbin on Saturday and Monday.  The water level is
    just a bit lower than last fall.  You have to be very careful
    leaving the launch area's.  Lots of stumps and other structure
    just below the surface.
    The MDC was the PITS on Saturday.  it was pay back time for giving
    them so much grief over the rate increases.  I arrived at fishing
    area #2 at 5am, which was the legal opening, and it took three
    hours to get on the water.  They only had one person at the 
    check in shack, and he was just taking his time.  They could
    have very easily had two lines for check-in.  They also had two
    uniformed MDC policemen, checking for required safety equipment
    and making sure no one had alcohol.  The new parking area left a
    lot to be desired, you had to walk forever once you parked.
    Taking out was just as bad.  Most people had to wait over an
    hour.  I used the old ramp and got right out.  There was plenty
    of room to launch more than boat a time, but they had it limited
    by orange posts to one at a time.  I'm surprised that Mike Dukakis
    wasn't there taking the money himself.  As far a the fishing went,
    if you trolled shiners, you had a chance of catching fish, and a
    lot of fish were caught.  I didn't have shiners  :*(      
    
    Gone fishin
    

    
    
    A friend of mine was there Monday, and took a 3lb and a 7lb Laker,
    using shiners.

================================================================================
Note 1112.0                     Thurs. Report....                        1 reply
WMOIS::ROBERTSON                                     15 lines  21-APR-1989 09:28
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      Just hit Gate 8, for the first time, (ever)thursday. Saw some
    short Salmond taken and one legal salmond. We couldn't boat any
    though we had hits....The s. are on top in the first five feet
    5'-10' of water. I believe we fished to low. Instead if 5 lb.
    lead core or steel line we switched to straight 6lb. mono with
    a 4lb tippet.....that's when we got the hits. ...then waited
    but they didn't come back to take the bait...the story of my life.
     
      Lakers were another story. From 11:00 am till 2:30 pm I pulled
    in three small ones. Over 40 feet of water we boated 2.5 lb, and
    two 3.5 lbs. All were returned to the catch another day.
      
      Over-all a real good day, but that's it for gate 8 till I take
    the time to learn the territory. I'll be at Gate 43 Saturday bound
    for the "Gap" or Stone Isl......see ya there .......ken

    
    Fishing without a little alcohol.......alcohol ABUSE certainly DOES
    happen these days as more NON-Fisherman take to the water....
    ...But as far as Water Road Blocks.....We're Losing It!!!
    
    Let's clean up our environment...but in a Friendly and Thoughtful
    manner........All the Duke wants is YOUR MONEY.....he couldn't
    care less what enjoyment we working people get out of our leisure
    time......
    

    I fished the Quabbin yesterday and am happy to pass on that the
    water is up a number of feet.  All this rain in May that we've
    been cursing has really had a good effect up there.  But, best
    of all, the smallies were hitting.  I bet we brought 40 of them
    to the boat   :*)
    
    Gone fishin
    

    
      hi brian !!!
    
           any helpful hints on smallies would be appreciated. a few guys
      from mro1 will be heading up there friday including myself. we'll 
      be going out of gate 43 in hardwick, and will be fishing deep
      dropoffs. any hints on baits and colors....???
    
                                                        thanks
    
                                                            murph / kiver

    re:  1108.6
    
    Yo Kiver,
    
      I was last up to Quabbin a week and a half ago, and couldn't buy
    a smallie.  I was using the same bait, same areas, even the same
    time of day.  I figure they must have gone deeper.  For what it's
    worth, we were using silver rapalas and just about any color
    gitzit, although the more natural colors seemed to get more hits.
    If you have a fish finder, look for the islands with the steepest
    drop offs.  I also went out of Hardwick, and stuck mainly to the
    islands on the east side of the res.
    
    Have a good one
    Gone fishin
    

    Has anyone been to Quabbin recently ? We usually go out of Gate
    43 in Area 3. Any Luck ?  We generally hit the coves for Bass,
    Pickerill, etc.,,
    

    What does it cost to fish the Quabbin if you bring your own boat?
    How much to park, any use fees, etc.?  What's the best time to get 
    there if I want to launch right away? What's the best gate to launch 
    from for lakers, and salmon, and is it true that they aren't all 
    that safe to eat? And finally, is it worth it?
    
    I've never been, and I'm curious about what I'll be in for when
    I get there....
    
    Thanks for any info you can give me.
    
    Dave Poff

    I'm note sure how they break it down, but Its $8 for 2 people and boat.
    $2 per person after that. 
    
    Best time to get there? Depends on the time of year. They don't open
    until 6:00 am. If you dont want to wait too long you should get there
    a half hour early.
    
    Gate 8 is the best for lakers and salmon. 
    
    >And finally, is it worth it? 
    To me, yes. 
    
    Rich

I seconds gate 8 for lakers and salmon

    
    
        Well my friend's and were planning on going to Quabbin june 8th.
    We have fished there years ago and had a great time,but I have forgotten 
    how to get there from Salem N.H. Could someone refresh my memory...
      Thanks
                                                 ,gus
                                                 

       Does anyone know were you can get shinners at or near Quabbin???Well
    be heading for gate 8 and should be there at 6:30am tomorrow.Replies
    would be greatly appriciated.
    
    
                                           thanks
                                                 gus

    Right at the entrance of the gate. 
    
    Rich

    
        Thanks for the reply...

	My brother is visiting for the weekend and I wanted to take him
	out to Quabbin.  

	Anyone know if the Gate 43 Baitshop sells Mass Licenses ?  (noone
	is anwering the phone there)

	thanks,
	Ken

	I am trying to learn about quabbin resevior and was hoping that
	an experienced pro angler could relate his experience there.

	Is the water such that if one looked at it they would say they would
	eat fish out of it? It is not polluted and green no?

	Is it true that 40 lb lake trout have been pulled from there.

	Some say it is illegal to fish there... is this true? Canoeing??

	Where are the best spots to catch big lake trout and what might
	the strategy be.

	Are these lake trout good eatin?

	Where would be some places in New England to get some of these big
	lake trout.


	Mr. Projects
	Interested in big lake trout at quabbin

    Hi, I've spent the last 2 or 3 weekends fishing at the Q. This is
    really my first year fishing it so I am NOT an expert there. The water
    is not polluted and is VERY VERY clear. I think they must do some sort
    of weed control because I've fished out of all 3 public gates and saw
    NONE. There are gates all around the Q, gates: 43, 32 and 8 are open to
    the public. You can launch your boat there (no canoes, water is too
    big) or you can rent a row boat with or without a motor. You can only
    fish certain spots from shore. Gate 8 off or route 202 is the best
    trout gate and they do catch them in very large sizes. I caught 2 on
    Sunday a 14" brown (throw back too small) and an 18' brown (just keeper
    size). We were trolling w/ downriggers and keeping the ball about 10'
    from the bottom. It ranged from 30' to 130'. That section of the lake
    is 8 miles long and about a 1/2 mile wide. Hope this helps !
    
    Don

re:                    <<< Note 1108.17 by CREVAS::PROJECTS >>>
>                     -< Quabbin Resevior & big lake trout >-

I've been fishing Quabbin here and there for a few years now... I'm no expert
(nor a "an experienced pro angler" ;-)) but I can give you some info:

>	Is the water such that if one looked at it they would say they would
>	eat fish out of it? It is not polluted and green no?

Clean and clear water there.  However, a year ago there were concerns about
high levels of mercury found in some larger fish, and the advice was not to
eat too much fish.  I forget the exact guidelines, but I'd guess that eating
a little bit wouldn't hurt.

>	Is it true that 40 lb lake trout have been pulled from there.

I think the state record is about 32 lbs (from Wachusett ?), but I've never 
heard of anything near this size being pulled out of Q.  

>	Some say it is illegal to fish there... is this true? Canoeing??

It's illegal to fish the southern half; the northern half is legal to fish.
The boundry is clearly marked.

>	Where are the best spots to catch big lake trout and what might
>	the strategy be.

I've only gone out of gate 43 in Hardwick.  The area west of "The Pass" and
Mt Zion seem to be the best area in this part.    Lots of people troll with
live shiners, mostly on downriggers.   Otherwise, bottom fishing with live
shiners and egg weights (and lots of time) works OK too.  But it is time
consuming.   

But there are other areas I've heard like out of Gate 8 mentioned in -.1.
This area is on the west end of the Q, and is totally separate from the
area you can access from gate 43.  You either fish one area or the other.

According to Gate 43, the laker fishing has been very slow this year.

>	Are these lake trout good eatin?

I've heard no...

>	Where would be some places in New England to get some of these big
>	lake trout.

Wachusett (which is connected to the Quabbin via aquaduct), but no boats
are allowed.   I heard they netted a 32'lber doing research there a year
or 2 ago.

The best time to fish here or Quabbin for lakers is in the spring, after
opening day (around April 15-19).  They are near the top and bite better.
Same with the salmon.

Ken

    Just a couple o' notes on the Quab...

    There is no weed control practiced there that I know of.

    It's been published that an average of 60hrs. on the water is required
for every lake trout caught. - They can be taken from shore early in the
season.

    There is a three mile long 'pond' at gate 43 that you can use a canoe
on. Two man minimum - good bassin'.

    The visitors center should have for sale a copy of a very good topo-type
map of the Quab... watershead - it was done as a graduate thesis (or something)
by a U. Mass. student a couple o' years ago.

    Gate 43 bait shop (Harwick?) is a good source of info. on current
conditions - check the phone book.

JW

    In case anyone is interested, this is the last weekend for Quabbin.
    It closes to fishing after Sunday.
    From what I hear there are plenty of 20 pound salmon on top,
    and 8 pound smallies off every point   :*)
    
    Seriously now, I wish it had been a little cooler this week.
    The heat isn't doing much to bring the fish back up.
    
    I'll be there
    Gaff

    
      YO BRIAN
    
          I think you've playied to many football games with out a helmit.
      ha ha ha !!!  8 pound smallies off "every point". Hey all kiddin
      aside how has the smallmouth fishin been??? I have'nt been down there 
      (gate 43) since early September. 
    
                                                            kiv

    
    
    	There is a bill in the Mass Senate [?] to create a $15.00 permit
    	to fish the Quabbin and Wachusett.   
    
    	Gitzit'  left_the_article_at_home...details don't know

    	Ya Gitzit, I read that. From memory it will be just a fee to
    	discourage people from littering. They claimed when they had one at
    	the Chue there wasn't a problem with littering, now there is since
        there is no fee.  Makes 0 sense to me, but their reasoning has
    	never impressed me. I dont think they said what would happen to
        the funds, most likely they will send it to the general fund.
       
    	Rich

        P.S. I heard that they will be charging an extra $5 for people with
    	stupid nicknames like: "Gitzit". :-)

    
    
    	I'll over look that last remark...patch baby....:-)
    
    	That bites that it is going into the General Fund....kiss that
    	money good bye.....why don't they just call it a tax.
    
    	Gitzit'
    

    	Well thats speculation on my part, they didn't say what the cash
     	was to be used for. As far as I am concerned, anyone, fisherman or
    	non that shows should have to PAY!. That includes bird watchers
    	Beaver sniffers, photographer's or what ever. 

    	As for the nick names, you created your own pal! One more patch
        comment and you will feel the wrath.

    	Rich

    	Years ago (that's right, I'm that old) they charged 25 cents for a
    permit.  Then they upped it to $1.00.  In my opinion it was a whole lot
    cleaner when you had to pay.  A few years after it turned to open
    fishing there was a marked increase in litter.  It seemed as though the
    same people who are too lazy to take out their trash were also too lazy
    to bother getting permits.  It took about the same amount of effort.
    	I doubt that the problem will just turn around by making it permit
    only access!  The real problen is just enforcing the present
    regulations!  Go up by the Stone Church any weekend or sunny afternoon
    and you'll see about a hundred people sunbathing and picnicing right
    beside the signs that prohibit BOTH activities!
    	As the last few said, probably just another way to get revenue and
    the litter and lack of enforcement will continue... A real shame...
    
    					B.C. 

    If charging a fee is all it takes to prevent litter, then I say "go for
    it!" But $15 is a little steep - $5 maybe, but not $15.
    
    And if they go to a fee, they should have 1 day or 3 day permits available
    for those who don't go so often...
    
    Ed
    

    	I hate the idea of charging a fee for a permit, because I know that
    the state will gouge us on the price in a big way. But... I have to
    agree with the last few replies, if you're going to charge fishermen to
    fish there, charge EVERYONE who uses it. People picnic there, sunbathe
    there and I've even seen little kids wading and playing in the water
    while their parents watch. Hell, about 6 weeks ago while I was fishing
    there, this kid in a diaper was playing in the water, after a while I
    guess he went and messed his diaper, and his father took the diaper off
    of him, brought him into the water and washed the kids bottom off in
    the water. 
    	Anyway, whatever revenues are raised by permits should be put back
    toward keeping the area around the reservoir clean. 
    
    Barry

>If they gotta do it, don't single out fishermen

 Exactly. It's not like fishermen are the only ones who litter. If littering
is the real reason behind the fee, of course...

    
    
    	Agree that the permit fee should be for everyone who uses the area.
    	BUT.....if the money DOES go into the general fund...then there
    	will NOT be any increase in patrolling...so the littering, etc
    	will still go on....it will just cost us more to see it.
    
    	Gitzit'
    	
    

    make the permit $15 redeemable with a bag of trash taken out with you.
    Let the litterers pay for their our trash.
    
    This problem is everywhere and is the main reason why fisherman cannot
    get access to private ponds, streams and ocena beaches.
    
    There used to be a sign on the Plum Island reservation "your only fee
    is a bag of trash taken out with you.  Now it costs $5 per day to
    enter.  We really know how to screw up a good thing.
    My 2 cents
    
    Gordon
    

    Read the first line carefully! BUDGET- does that tell you anything?
    Call your Rep, I know I will be so, and I'll him a letter too.
    As is is now, it will cost 2 people $8 each time you launch your
    boat! It breaks down to $4 to park, and $2 per person. Thats not
    enough?????????? These jerks are just dipping their hands into your
    pocket!


    Quoted from the Telegram & Gazette:

    BOSTON - An amendment to the 1992 budget would require fishermen to buy
    $15 permits besides their $17.50 state fishing licenses to fish the
    Quabbin and Wachusetts reservoirs and the Ware River watershed.

    State Rep. William Constantino JR., R-Clinton, pushed to have the 
    amendment attached to the budget. He said yesterday the Metropolitan 
    District Commission, which owns the reservoirs and watershed, could use
    the permits to control littering on the lands it controls in Central
    Massachusetts.

    "The MDC used to require a permit to fish the Wachusetts Reservoir,
    and it worked," he said. "The people with permits behaved responsibly. 
    But they dropped the permits, and the place is a mess now." "The
    reservoir is an important resource," Constantino said, "and not just 
    for fishing. It needs to be protected."

    	I don't even live in Mass. but the mentality behind the fee still
    pisses me off.
    
    	Basically, EVERYONE is paying the penalty for the actions of a few.	
    Littering is against the law. So rather than enforce the existing law,
    they (legislators) take the easy way out and just punish everone. I
    doubt anyone in here would mind terribly if revenue was generated
    through stiff littering fines.
    
    	The other thing is, if the fee is to "clean up this area", is there
    a specific fund set-up for this, and ONLY this, purpose ? Why do I
    doubt the existance of such a fund ?
    
    	Lastly, as others have pointed out, why just the fisherman ? Why
    not EVERYONE that uses the place.
    
    	Mass. legislators spell "relief" R-I-P-O-F-F !!!!
    
    	RAYJ