Quabbin Reservoir
Quabbin Reservoir is the largest body of water in Massachusetts, in the central part of the state. It is known for lake trout, landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass, and it has produced state records.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Lake Trout
Troll with downriggers at or below the thermocline in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Fish rocky shores around Snell, Nelson and Hamilton islands.
Landlocked Salmon
Right after ice-out, trolled streamers and smelt imitations near the surface.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Chain Pickerel
Weedy coves. Spinners, spoons and live shiners, all year.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Landlocked Salmon | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth Bass |
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1Gate 8 Fishing Area (Area 1)FeeDCR launch off Route 202, Pelham; parking fee, boat rentals, Quabbin boat seal requiredDirections ↗
- 2Gate 31 Fishing Area (Area 2)FeeDCR launch off Route 122, New Salem; parking fee, boat rentals, Quabbin boat seal requiredDirections ↗
- 3Gate 43 Fishing Area (Area 3)FeeDCR launch off Greenwich Road, Hardwick; parking fee, boat rentals, Quabbin boat seal requiredDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee MassWildlife or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Trout | 18 in | 2 / day |
| Landlocked Salmon | 15 in | 2 / day |
| Chain Pickerel | 15 in | 5 / day |
| Largemouth Bass Bass combined | 12 in | 5 / day combined |
| Smallmouth Bass Bass combined | 12 in | 5 / day combined |
| Rainbow Trout Trout combined; season ~3rd Sat Apr to 3rd Sat Oct (DCR) | See Massachusetts rules book ↗ | 3 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at MassWildlife (MA Division of Fisheries & Wildlife) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Gate 8 Boat & Bait CoNearby200 Packardville Rd, Belchertown, MA(413) 323-7117Directions ↗
Local tips
- Boat fishing runs from mid April to mid October, and shore fishing lasts to December 31.
- Private boats need a Quabbin boat seal, and lead sinkers under 1 ounce are banned.
- Launch at Gate 8 for trout and salmon or Gates 31 and 43 for bass in the north end.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Quabbin Reservoir.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.