Category Archives: Ice Fishing

State parks and forests have a new “Friend”

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According to Ryan Aylesworth, the founder & CEO the Western Massachusetts Public Lands Alliance (WMPLA), it was founded in July 2014.  WMPLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the Pittsfield area whose mission is to use philanthropy, volunteerism, education, and advocacy to sustain and enhance the quality of outdoor recreation, public access, infrastructure, environmental education, historical preservation, and natural resource conservation within the state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas of western Massachusetts.

 

Its primary purpose is to serve as a regional-scale “friends group” for public lands managed by the Commonwealth in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties.   According to Ryan, our state lands are chronically under-funded, resulting in crumbling infrastructure, reduced public access, inferior recreational and educational opportunities, and inadequate resource management.  WMPLA was founded to reverse this deeply troubling trend.

 

Before founding WMPLA, Ryan was the President & CEO of Audubon International (AI), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has been administering a wide range of rigorous environmental education and certification programs for over nearly 30 years.  Prior to that, he worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – first as a biologist in the Northeast, and later heading up the agency’s governmental affairs program in the Midwest Region.  These professional experiences, combined with a deep passion for the outdoors that began as a youth growing up in the mountains of northwestern Maine, have fostered Ryan’s belief that effectively conserving and enhancing public lands requires regional-scale collaboration involving diverse programs, organizations and stakeholder groups.

 

In addition to the professional skills that Ryan bring to the table, WMPLA benefits from the leadership of a Board of Directors comprised of individuals with extensive professional experience in areas such as education, natural resource management, business, communications, and government.  Members of WMPLA’s leadership also have close ties to the people and communities of the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley. This is especially true of Jonathan Butler, President of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and former Town Administrator in Adams, who recently joined WMPLA’s Board of Directors because he understands how substantially improving how public lands are managed will benefit the region’s tourism-based economy.

 

Of interesting note, one of WMPLA’s Board members recently learned that the Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) had roughly 100 pheasants die as a result of a predator (speculated to be a fisher cat) tunneling into its pen. (These pheasants had been acquired from the Austerlitz Club).   The LSA leadership told the WMPLA Board member that they were distressed because this meant that the club was not going to have the number of birds needed to continue stocking various public lands open to hunting for the duration of the upland bird season.

 

In response to this news, WMPLA generously offered to make a $1,500 donation to purchase an additional 100 birds from the Austerlitz Club in NY and provide the LSA what it needed to save the hunting season. As a result of this generosity, WMPLA is now well on its way to forming a valuable and lasting relationship with the LSA, which they plan to replicate with other clubs and outdoor recreational groups including hikers, anglers, campers, birders, Nordic skiers, snowshoers, bikers, etc., that use our state parks, forests and wildlife management areas.

 

They have an interesting web site (www.wmpla.org) where you can learn all about the organization, what it does, who serves on its Board, what’s on its priority list, etc.   Incidentally, the October Mountain State Forest is on its priority list.  Check them out. *****

 

The Onota Boat Livery is once again having its seasonal ice fishing contest.  Entrants must sign up by February 1 and the contest ends on March 15.  Participants must be at least 18 years old and purchase at least $25 worth of store merchandise.  They may fish anywhere in the Berkshires and all fish caught must be through the ice and brought to the Livery for measuring.  Contestants must have previously entered the contest.  In the event of a tie, the prize will be divided equally amongst winners.

The prizes are $50 Onota Boat Livery gift certificates for the largest pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, trout, pickerel, perch and crappie.   Atlantic salmon and tiger muskies have been discontinued from contest.   Check out the web site at Onotaboat.com for a listing of the derby rules.

To prevent needless killing of nice fish, may I suggest that before going out you check the Onota Boat Livery leader’s board, or call them (413-442-1724) to see what the leading fish are. Also bring a copy of the minimum weights which qualify for a State Sportfishing Award (page 22 of the Fish & Wildlife Guide).   Bring along a scale, too.  That way you know whether or not you caught a money/pin fish and if not, you can release it unharmed if you wish.

Incidentally, the Onota Boat Livery will be preparing a list of upcoming ice fishing derbies when the information is received from the derby organizers. I will list it as soon as completed.   *****

The Berkshire Beagle Club, on Sleepy Hollow Road in Richmond, will be holding its Annual Rabbit Hunt next Saturday.  Entrance fee is $10 per person and that includes a dinner.  Weigh-in by 4:00 PM.  Contact John Demary if you wish to enter and/or donate some raffle prizes.  Prizes go for the largest cottontail and snowshoe rabbit.  No hunting is allowed on the Beagle Club grounds. *****

The Lee Sportsmen’s Association (LSA) adult archery league starts on Thursday, January 15 at 6:00 PM and runs for 8 weeks.  For additional information call Mary Smith (413) 243-2710.  The LSA’s next pistol course will be held on Monday, January 12 and Monday, January 19 from 5:30 to 9:30 PM.  For additional information call Larry Karlquist (413) 442-7807.

To Old Man Winter: Give it up!

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Even though there was over 18 inches of ice on our lakes on Wednesday (March 26), ice fishermen should be careful from here on. Ice fishermen love winters like this as they get in an extra week or two of ice fishing. They will find a way onto the ice, even if they have to lay boards from the shore over the open water to the ice. If you are one of them, be careful. There were times when my friends and I did that in the morning, but got wet feet getting off, due to the thawing during the day.

The Onota Boat Livery 2014 Ice Fishing Contest ended on March 16. Congratulations to the following winners who won $50 prizes: Largest pike – 22 lbs 13 oz, 45 ½ inch out of Onota Lake, caught by Rich Rando of Cheshire; Largemouth Bass – 5 lbs 6 oz, 22 inch out of Pontoosuc Lake caught by Austin Dufur of Adams; Smallmouth Bass – 3 lbs 1 oz, 18 inch out of Onota Lake by George Hess of Pittsfield; Perch – 1 lb 10 oz, 15 inch out of Pontoosuc Lake by Charlene Michon of Shaftsbury, VT; Crappie – 1 lb 8 oz, 15 inch out of Pontoosuc Lake by Joe Schwartz of Stephentown, NY; Pickerel – 5 lbs 3 oz, 28 inch out of Stockbridge Bowl, by Joe Chague (nephew) of Pittsfield and Trout – 5 lb 8 oz, 25 inch, out of Onota Lake caught by Roy Harvender of Stephentown, NY. *****

Say, remember that youngster mentioned in this column a few weeks back who caught all of those large pike? Dylan Crea, who recently turned 13 years old, had caught and released pike weighing 14.2 lbs, 15 lbs, 18.9 lbs and 19.8 lbs. Well he did it again! On March 13 he caught a 13.8 lb Tiger Muskie out of Pontoosuc Lake which was 40 inches long with a 15 inch girth. That in and of itself was a remarkable feat, but consider this: tiger muskies, which are a cross between a muskellunge and pike, have not been stocked into our waters since 2006. Furthermore, being hybrids they cannot reproduce.

According to information obtained from Google, their average life span is 8 to 10 years. It is quite possible that we will never see another one caught out of our waters, unless someone catches it again. You see, Dylan released that fish back into Pontoosuc Lake after measuring and weighing it. To see a picture of Dylan holding that fish, click onto www.berkshireoutdoorsman.com, then subcategory “ice fishing”.*****

This should be my last column dealing with ice fishing this year. It has been a great ice fishing season with a lot of big fish being caught. Seriously, I could have featured a picture of a big fish in every column. Some of the delegates of the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen recently commented on the number of large fish caught in the Berkshires through the ice this season and they asked Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Western District Manager Andrew Madden why. With tongue in cheek he quickly responded “good management”. *****
Keeping with ice fishing, last weekend, Joe Chague had an ice fishing class on Onota Lake for Sacred Heart Church’s Pack #20 Cub Scouts. He was assisted by his friend Dan Miraglia. The youngsters were taught how to cut holes through the ice, sound the holes, set up and bait tip-ups, how to jig for fish, etc. The kids made their own jig sticks. Midway through the class, they were provided with cups of hot chocolate.
They had a great time even though the fish were not biting and it started to rain. Each kid went home with a prize. The Onota Boat Livery donated much of the equipment such as bait, jigging sticks, sounders, etc. Perhaps we will see them out ice fishing with their parents next year.
Incidentally, DFW’s Madden reports that due to the delayed spring thaw, trout stocking will likely begin later this year, around the last week of March or the first week in April in many areas around the state. To find out what water bodies are stocked, click onto the MassWildlife Trout Stocked Waters page. Once stocking has begun, check the stocking schedules which will be updated by Friday of each week. For you folks who don’t use those new fangled computer gadgets, I will list the stocked waters in this column *****
The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club had it club elections a while back and here are its 2014 officers: President – Tom Ferguson of Pittsfield, VP- Mark Jester of Pittsfield, Secretary – Brady Kerr of Dalton and Treasurer – Bernie Abramson of Pittsfield.
The officers for the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited are President – Allen Gray of Pittsfield, VP – Ron Wojcik of Windsor, Treasurer – Richard Bordeau of Pittsfield and Secretary – Marc Hoechstetter of Cummington.
Many thanks for your dedication and hard work.

Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413) 637-1818..

Hi Matt

The kids in the picture are from Pack #20 Cub scouts. They are l to r: Brandon Todriff, Fritz Sanders, Josh Bartolotta and Joey Roccabruna.

Hunters are asked to complete MassWildlife Survey

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Biologists with Mass DFW are conducting an annual survey of Massachusetts hunters to better understand their preferences and efforts in Massachusetts and to receive important “on-the-ground” information to aid in the management of game species they hunt. The survey takes around 10-20 minutes to complete. It is set up so all responses remain anonymous.
If your email address is not listed in the MassFishHunt electric license system, you can go online and enter it if you want to participate in future hunter surveys.
Within the next few weeks, all sporting or hunting license holders with email addresses in the MassFishHunt system should receive an email invitation from Novi Survey with a link to the survey. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder for any emails from Novi Survey in case it is flagged by your security system. The link you are provided is assigned to each email address, therefore you should not forward the invitation to others as the survey can only be filled out once. A reminder will be emailed to those license holders who have not responded within a week.
Accompanying the survey is a link to see a brief summary of last year’s survey and for answers to common questions from the survey. Last year over 8,900 hunters took the survey and provided valuable information. DFW encourages all hunters to take this survey so that there is a larger data base and theoretically more accurate information. *****
Here are the results of some ice fishing derbies which were recently held: 9th Annual Thomas Wren Derby held on Pontoosuc Lake on February 16, 1st place Shawn Burbank, 3 lbs 8 oz pickerel, 2nd place went to Keter Ostrander with a 3 lb 1 oz largemouth bass, 3rd place went to Austin Consolati with a 2 lb 14 oz largemouth bass.

The 1st Annual Megan Babcock Memorial was held on Pontoosuc Lake on February 22. 1st place went to Jeff Kuka with a 16 lbs 6 oz northern pike, 2nd place went to Bob Thornburg with a 1 lb 5 oz perch and 3rd went to E. Sagendorph with a 10 oz perch.

According to spokesman Ed Carmel, approximately 65 fishermen participated in spite of difficult walking conditions. On the 16th, there was over a foot of snow on top of 6 inches of slush. On the 22nd, there was over 2 feet of snow.

Club spokesman Fred Ostrander reported that the following individuals won the Lenox Sportsmen’s Club ice fishing derby on February 16: Adult division: 1st place – Brian Vincent, 2nd place – Jim Miller and 3rd place – Rick Saldo. Winners in the junior division: 1st place winner – Zack Mielke, 2nd place – Jordan Mielke and 3rd place – Hadley Mielke. *****

Gary Johnston, Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club (SSC) Newsletter Editor reports that over 80 youngsters have signed up for its Youth Archery Program, which will run until March 15. Other Archery Shoots at the SSC include the Berkshire County “300” Round Championships on March 15 and 16.There will be a “450” shoot on the 16th. Call John Mange for more information at (518) 794-7868. *****

Ryan Livernois, who works at Crea’s Bait Shop on West Street in Pittsfield told me about Dylan Crea, a 12 year older from Pittsfield, who is an avid fisherman with lots of passion for the sport. Fishing Pontoosuc Lake, he already has weighed in 4 huge Northern Pike this year.
He caught a 14.2 lb, 26 ½ inch length and 17 inch girth monster pike on January 27. The very next day Dylan landed another pike only this time it weighed 15 lbs. Then on February 16 he caught an 18.9 lb pike. But wait, there’s more! On February 28 he caught another one weighing 19 lbs 8 oz. He caught that one in the dark at 8:50 PM in 10 below zero weather. The picture of that fish did not come out so too well as it was taken in the dark. You might be able to see it on the Crea Bait Shop web page. The fish pictured above is a smaller one.
“It is nice to know that ice fishing provides something (for youths) to do out here in the Berkshire’s”, says Livefnois. Dylan’s parents are very proud of him. “He is so deeply passionate about fishing. He’s an A class sportsman and he is an angler to watch as he continues his awesome fish catching skills.” said his mother Dianna.
He releases all of the fish using a live well to keep them alive in order to weigh them in at the bait shop. Once the fish arrives they move as fast as they can with the fish out of the water to weigh and measure it. Then it is put back into the live well, transported back to the lake and released back into the water.
Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413) 637-1818).

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Successful anglers to be honored
In the Freshwater Sport Fishing Awards Programs, anglers receive bronze pins for catching fish of certain minimum weight requirements for 22 species. They must have their catch weighed at a certified weigh station and submit an affidavit and photo of their catch to the Sportfishing Awards Coordinator. Beginning in 2005, a youth category was added to recognize anglers 17 years and younger for their accomplishments.
Anglers who catch the largest fish in each category in a calendar year receive a gold pin and plaque commemorating their accomplishment. During 2013, Berkshire waters yielded four trophy fish
In the Adult Division, Richard Garhartt, of Berlin, NY, took the largest brown trout. It came out of Onota Lake in Pittsfield weighing11 lbs 4 oz. In the Youth Division, Nathan Luczynski, of Cheshire caught the largest bullhead out of Cheshire Lake weighing 6 lbs 1 oz. (You may recall seeing a picture of that fish and the 6 year older in my March 3, 2013 column). Tauri Adamczyk, of Taunton, MA caught the largest carp weighing 23 lb 2 oz out of Woods Pond (Housatonic River) in Lenox Dale/Lee. The largest northern pike, one weighing 21 lbs 4 oz was caught out of Lake Buel by Hunter Kempf, of Sullivan, NH.
It is interesting how so many out-of-area fishermen are focusing on our waters. I hope the Chamber of Commerce is paying attention.
Since 2002, the Angler of the Year Award has been given to the person who weighs in the largest number of species that meet minimum weight requirements for the previous calendar year. The award promotes awareness of the Commonwealth’s underutilized fish species and recognizes an angler’s ability to catch a wide variety of trophy species. Beginning in 2013, the Angler of the Year is now awarded in two categories: Youth and Adult.
The 2013 Adult Angler of the Year was Mark Mohan Jr., of Pembroke, MA. He caught 16 bronze pin fish. They were: 1 smallmouth bass, 2 bullhead, 1 crappie, 2 white perch, 1 yellow perch, 6 sunfish, 1 brown trout, and 2 rainbow trout.
The 2013 Youth Angler of the Year was Jake Souza of Berkley, MA. He was also Angler of the Year in 2012. Last year he caught 21 bronze pin fish. They were: 2 largemouth bass, 1 smallmouth bass, 2 bullhead, 1 white catfish, 1 crappie, 2 white perch, 2 yellow perch, 1 chain pickerel, 4 sunfish, 2 brown trout, 1 rainbow trout and 2 tiger trout.
None of the above fish were caught in Berkshire waters but rather down east or on Cape Cod. *****
Hard water anglers (ice fishermen) will be able to take advantage of an early February stocking of broodstock Atlantic salmon. Each district received a limited number of them ranging in size from 3-11 pounds from the Nashua National Fish Hatchery in Nashua, New Hampshire. Last week, DFW personnel stocked an undisclosed number in Windsor Pond in Windsor and Stockbridge Bowl. *****.
John Burns will be the guest speaker at the Taconic Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s monthly meeting at the Bass Water Grill in Cheshire this Thursday evening. He is a River Steward, botanist, and TU Crooked Staff winner. He has been involved in watershed associations in VT and MA., while also working with state fisheries in electro-sampling, stocking, shoreline surveys, and macro-invertebrate inventories. He will be presenting a watershed approach to fishing and conservation efforts focusing primarily on the Housatonic, Westfield, Deerfield, and Hoosic Rivers. The event is free and open to the public. Social hour starts at 5 PM, the presentation at 6 PM and dinner off of the menu (if you so choose) to follow at 7 PM. For more information, contact Ron Wojcik at (413) 684-4141 or rwojcik@bcn.net. *****

The Springfield Sportsmen’s Show is taking place on February 20-23, 2014 at the Big E, West Springfield, Massachusetts. The show includes the best of hunting, fishing, boating and adventure recreation that the outdoor world has to offer all bundled together in one great event. For those interested in purchasing 2014 MA hunting and fishing licenses, MassWildlife staff will be on hand to assist; however, those purchasing licenses must use a credit or debit card for the transaction. Cash or checks will not be accepted. Click onto http://www.osegsportsmens.com for more information. *****
There have been some big fish caught through the ice this winter. Usually, I show those caught by youngsters. Lest people think we old timers can’t catch big fish any more, take a look at the 18 lb, 40 ½ inch northern pike caught out of Pontoosuc Lake recently by grandpa Tom Tatro of Dalton.

Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413)-637-1818.

2013 Preliminary deer season results are in

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Recently, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) reported that the preliminary deer harvest for 2013 (excluding Quabbin and any data not yet received) was 11,413. Although preliminary, this figure is up 4% from last year’s total harvest. The harvest figures for the previous four years beginning with year 2009 were as follows: 10,381, 10,699, 11,081 and 10,938. In the Western District (WD), which includes all areas west of the Connecticut River (Zones 1 – 4) some 1,664 deer were taken. For the previous four years beginning with year 2009 the figures were 1,667, 1,568, 3,417 and 1,626. Interestingly, Zones 10 and 11 in eastern Massachusetts yielded over 5,000 deer in 2013.
The statewide archery season harvest was 4,474, up 15% from last year. Harvest figures for the previous 4 years beginning with year 2009 were as follows: 3,492, 3,778, 3,765 and 3903. In the WD, 577 were taken with the bow last year. The WD archery harvests for the previous four years, beginning with year 2009, were as follows: 449, 466, 522 and 453. Zones 10 and 11 yielded 2,321 in 2013.
The statewide shotgun season harvest was 4,625, down 7% from last year. For the previous 4 years beginning with year 2009 the harvests were as follows: 4,927, 4,846, 5,349 and 4,950. The WD shotgunners checked in 739 in 2013, which compares with the previous 4 years beginning with year 2009: 857, 815, 904 and 842. Zones 10 and 11 yielded 1,661 in 2013. Some 660 more deer were taken with the bow out there last year than with shotgun.
The statewide primitive season harvest was 2,314, up 11% from last year. The previous 4 years beginning with year 2009 were: 1,958, 2,068, 1,959 and 1,958. In the WD, muzzleloaders checked in 350, which compares with the previous 4 years as follows: 360, 285, 251 and 301. Zone 10 and 11 muzzleloaders checked in 1,020 deer in 2013.
Online reporting was available during deer season for the first time during the 2013 archery and primitive arms seasons. Over 70% of the deer taken during those seasons were reported by hunters through the MassFishHunt system.
Not only is the online reporting system convenient for hunters, DFW claims it allows them to provide preliminary harvest totals much earlier than in previous years. It also allows them to break down the preliminary harvest information by Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ). While total harvest by zone can be informative, it doesn’t provide the complete picture for monitoring trends in deer density because total harvest is influenced by antlerless deer permit allocations in each zone.
The DFW Deer Project Leader analyzes harvest, biological, and hunter effort data, along with hunter success rates, female versus male harvest, and other factors to manage deer populations in each zone. A complete harvest summary will be posted on the DFW website shortly after the annual deer review. Hunters who included their e-mail addresses in their MassFishHunt profile will receive a hunter survey by email in February. *****
The Lenox Sportsmen’s Club will be having its annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance next Saturday evening at 7PM at the clubhouse on New Lenox Road. Tickets costing $25 pp are available from all board members. There will be a roast beef dinner catered by That’s Amore Fine Catering and dancing to DJ Russ Davis. BYOB.

Members should be in great shape for the 6AM registration for their annual Hard Water Open, ice fishing derby on Stockbridge Bowl the next morning.

If that isn’t enough, on the following day (President’s Day) the LSC will be having its 32nd annual rabbit hunt. Pre-registration is required, (Ron Carr at (413)442-5122). The entry fee is $10 with prizes for the heaviest dressed hare and cottontail. Weigh-in deadline is 4 PM followed by a venison goulash dinner. *****

Starting next Friday and running through Sunday, the 17 annual Northeast Fishing and Hunting Show will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center at 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT. Click onto http://www.fishinghuntingshow.com for more information. *****

Congratulations to 12-year old Dylan Sondrini of Pittsfield who caught the above pictured largemouth bass last weekend and winning the Stockbridge Sportsmen’s Club Ice Fishing Derby on Echo Lake. It weighed 6 pounds, was 22 inches long and had a girth of 17 inches. Although he was ice fishing with his dad, Nathan, he set up his own tip-ups and figured out how to catch that big fish. Thanks to his proud mom, Nina, for sending in the picture.

Questions/comments: Berkwoodsandwaters@roadrunner.com. Phone/fax: (413) 637-1818.

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2014 ICE FISHING DERBIES
Cost
Day(s) Date(s) Organization’s Name Lake Time Adult Child Notes:

Sat 02/08/14 Great Barrington Fish & Game Mercers Pond 7AM – 2PM $15 $5 All kids win something! Includes spaghetti dinner
Sat 02/08/14 Ashfield Rod & Gun Club (Kid’s Derby) Ashfield 8AM – 12PM N/A Free Prizes for kids only & spagehetti dinner ($5 for adult)
Sun 02/09/14 Jimmy Fund Onota 6AM – 2PM $15 $5 Free food with ticket!
Sun 02/09/14 Lee Sportsmens Association Goose Pond 6AM – 2PM $10 $6 Includes dinner @ Club House (565 Fairview St, Lee)
Sun 02/16/14 Cheshire Rod & Gun Club Cheshire Daybreak-4PM $10 Free 1st & 2nd lakes only
Sun 02/16/14 Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Stockbridge 6AM – 2PM $10 Free Kids under 12 free with registered adult
Sun 02/16/14 Tom Wren 9th Annual Memorial Pontoosuc 5AM – 3PM $10 $5 100% of fees paid out
Sat 02/22/14 Megan Babcock 1st Memorial Pontoosuc 6AM – 3PM $10 $5
Sun 02/23/14 Onota Fishing Club (Gelaznik Derby) Onota 6AM – 12PM $10 $5 Includes breakfast, lunch and prizes @ Pavillion
Sun 02/23/14 The Locker Room (Lee Youth Football) Laurel Dawn – 2PM $10 $5 All kids win something! Includes pasta dinner.
Sat 03/01/14 Wayne Mickle Memorial Pontoosuc 6AM – 5PM $10 $5 100% of fees paid out