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Quabbin Reservoir

Lake fishing  Massachusetts · 06:26 - 16:39

Quabbin Reservoir is a lake in Massachusetts. Anglers here fish mainly for Striped Bass, Lake Trout and Northern Pike.

Prime 80% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
85%
63°
Best day
Fri
81%
66°
Sat
81%
62°
Sun
84%
51°
Mon
78%
51°
Tue
85%
56°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Partly cloudy
Water temp (est.)
53°F
Air temp
51°F
Wind
6 mph
Pressure
30.15 inHg → stable
Clouds
41.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:41–07:41 Day 07:41–15:24 Dusk 15:24–17:24

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 06:58–08:58 Major period 18:58–20:58 Minor period 00:53–02:23 Minor period 13:33–15:03

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

04:00
51°
05:00
50°
06:00
50°
07:00
51°
08:00
54°
09:00
58°
10:00
61°
11:00
64°
12:00
66°
13:00
67°
14:00
67°
15:00
66°

Likely catch now (17 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
80%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
65%
Water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season.
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Northern Pike
Esox lucius
62%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 11 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Walleye
Sander vitreus
62%
Water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
61%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 11 degrees.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
56%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, a fishy ripple on the water.
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About the fishing here

Quabbin Reservoir is a huge man-made lake in central Massachusetts built to supply Boston's drinking water, and its size and controlled access have made it a well-regarded fishery for lake trout and smallmouth bass. Fishing is allowed only from permitted boats launched at designated gates, which keeps pressure low compared with most lakes this size. Because it's a working water supply, rules around boats, bait and access are stricter than at a typical lake, so check current regulations before you go.

Popular catches here include Striped Bass, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rainbow Trout and Muskellunge.

Striped Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for striped bass at dawn. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, yellow and glow for striped bass.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Quabbin Reservoir is the largest inland body of water in Massachusetts. Along with Wachusett Reservoir, it is the primary water supply for Boston, 65 miles (105 km) to the east, and 40 other cities and towns in Greater Boston. The Quabbin also supplies water to three towns west of the reservoir and serves as a backup supply for three others. By 1989, it supplied water for 2.5 million people, about 40% of the state's population at the time. It has an aggregate capacity of 412 billion US gallons and an area of 38.6 square miles (100 km2).

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Quabbin Reservoir?

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rainbow Trout, Muskellunge, Brook Trout and Black Crappie.

Do you need a fishing license at Quabbin Reservoir?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Quabbin Reservoir?

Striped Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Quabbin Reservoir right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 32%.