MassWildlife will stock over 500,000 brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout across Massachusetts this year.  About 455,000 will be stocked this spring and about 60,000 this fall.

According to MassWildlife officials, each year their hatcheries maximize trout production. They measure this as pounds of fish produced within the limits of the facilities. MassWildlife intentionally grows large trout to provide the best possible fishing for anglers. Their hatcheries raise the trout in five hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague

They have been very successful at getting outstanding growth rates so the fish have been heavier over time. Pounds of fish produced has less meaning to anglers, so MassWildlife describes the hatchery production in numbers of fish based on weight samples. When the individual fish weighs more, the total number is lower. Production by weight within the hatcheries has stayed relatively consistent over time. You may also see them providing annual totals on the website or social media where they combine both the spring and fall numbers to say they’re stocking over 500,000 trout this year.

This year, 75% of the trout will be over 12 inches, and 40% will be over 14 inches.  Some 800 retired brood brown trout 18”+ inches and 600 retired brood brook trout will be stocked.  About 2,900 tiger trout will be over 14 inches.

The Western District usually gets about 20% of them.  Stocking has already begun in our district with the following waters scheduled to be stocked last week: Deerfield River in Buckland, Charlemont and Florida; Farmington River in Otis, Sandisfield and Tolland; Lake Buel, Onota Lake and Stockbridge Bowl.  Please note: The stocking report is subject to change depending on staffing, equipment, and weather conditions.

MassWildlife has a map with all the fish stocking locations on its website.  There are red dots on the map indicating waters that will be stocked this spring. When stocking begins, the red dots will turn to black push-pins to show where trout have been stocked.

If you are looking for stocking information for a particular waterbody or town, use the table. Type the name of the waterbody or town into the search window to find all stocking reports for that location. You can also sort based on an attribute including town, waterbody, or type of fish.

If you prefer, you can get a list of all 2024 stocked waters.

The waters are cold this time of year.

If you fish from a boat and capsize or fall overboard, you can develop hypothermia within minutes. Hypothermia, the lowering of your internal body temperature, can make it difficult for you to swim, paddle, or stay afloat. A sudden, unexpected fall into cold water can also cause you to involuntarily gasp and ingest water, which can lead to death by drowning. Your life jacket may not prevent hypothermia, but it will help you stay afloat, and it can save your life. Boating fatality victims were often not wearing life jackets.

Safety advocates recommend all boaters and passengers have a life jacket and wear it at all times while boating, especially youths under 12 years old.

In Massachusetts, life jackets must be worn by canoeists and kayakers from September 15 to May 15

Black bears are here

MasssWildlife is warning residents that black bears are waking up this month and they’re hungry.  They urge people to take down bird feeders, secure trash bins, and watch out for their pets.

While we are on the subject of bears, Governor Maura Healey recently accompanied MassWildlife biologists during a visit to a black bear den that is part of ongoing research. Each winter, state biologists visit the dens of female black bears (sows) with radio tracking collars to assess the health and number of new cubs. The study provides critical information about the growing bear population in Massachusetts.

Governor Healey, First Partner Joanna Lydgate, Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, Department of Fish & Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea, and MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa were able to get an up-close look at the sow and her three cubs located at a den after trained staff immobilized the adult animal.

“We had a great time learning from our wildlife experts and getting to know our bear neighbors,” said Governor Healey. “Massachusetts is home to an impressive variety of habitats and wildlife. We are committed to using the best possible science to conserve biodiversity in Massachusetts. This black bear research is a great example of how we are making that happen.”

“MassWildlife’s black bear research program is the longest of its kind in New England,” said Secretary Tepper. “The goal is to understand bear behavior, population size, and movements across Massachusetts. We’re grateful to our skilled guides and experts who showed us how we care for our bear population.”

“It was an honor to have Governor Maura Healey join us to highlight MassWildlife’s important black bear research program,” said Department of Fish & Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Despite Massachusetts being the third most densely populated state in the country, black bear populations are thriving and have expanded their range as far east as the Rte. 495 corridor. Collecting this vital data helps MassWildlife understand populations, educate the public, and minimize conflicts with these important creatures.”

“We know that bears will frequent neighborhoods where they find human-associated foods,” said MassWildlife’s Black Bear Project Leader Dave Wattles. “Our goal is to keep these impressive animals wild by understanding their movements and by encouraging people to take actions like removing bird feeders and securing trash in their yards.”

While at the den, biologists checked the health of the cubs and mother and replaced the sow’s GPS tracking collar. Signals from the collar are used throughout the year to see whether bears are using natural areas or developed, residential areas. After all the data was collected from the sow and cubs, biologists carefully returned the bears to their den and left the area. Many black bears are becoming more active during this time of year, but sows with cubs remain in their dens for several more weeks. Learn more about black bears in Massachusetts at www.mass.gov/bears.

Fly Fishing Film Tour

 

On Sunday, March 24 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be presenting the 2024 Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Images Cinema, 50 Spring Street, Williamstown. Tickets which cost $15.00 can be purchased at (https://www.imagescinema.org/movie/2024-international-fly-fishing-film-festival).

 

Last year they filled the Cinema, so make sure you get your tickets early.  Also, get to the theater early to participate in the auctions and raffles.  The film starts at 2:00 pm.

 

Proceeds from this event help Taconic TU focus on conservation of our Berkshire County cold-water fisheries. This year they plan to monitor temperatures in the Hoosic River, add woody debris to strategic locations to encourage fish spawning and life, and joining the Hoosic River Watershed Association in continued bacteria sampling.

 

Following the film, there will be a Pizza Party sponsored by Cheeky Fly Fishing of North Adams.

 

Questions about the upcoming events:  taconictu@gmail.com.

 

Culverts and free flowing waterways

 

Free-flowing waterways provide better habitat for many wildlife species, especially cold-water fish species.  Culverts can be a detriment and obstacle to fish and other aquatic animals, often preventing them from freely moving upstream or downstream. A major problem with many culverts is that they were not designed with wildlife in mind or as a priority. They are often too small, restricting nutrient flow and causing flooding; other times, they might be “perched,” (elevated above the water’s surface), making fish migration difficult at best and sometimes impossible.

 

For this reason, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT has been working to survey stream crossings in Berkshire County using the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocol. This spring BEAT will offer training to anyone interested in conducting volunteer fieldwork by surveying culverts and road-stream crossings throughout the County. These surveys help determine what culverts and crossings need attention and prioritize those that need to be fixed sooner rather than later.

On Tuesday, March 19 at 6:00 pm BEAT and UMass Extension Professor Scott Jackson will host an online public info session dealing with hands-on volunteer fieldwork and why the NAACC was formed, the importance of doing this work, and what the training will entail. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/NAACC-info-session