Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    
              OCT. 12TH
    
                                     KIV

    
    
    
              How about "The Chu"???
    
    
    
                            The Keg

    
      HEY JIMMY SQUEEL !!!
    
             It's also Oct 12th. 
    
                                              your welcome
                                                            kiv

    
     Can somebody tell me what is the max horsepower motor that you
    are allowed to use on the Quabin reservoir??
    
     Thanks,
        Bill

    	Half the BIA rating or 20hp, which ever is LESS.
    
    		Example:  boat rated for 15hp...... Quabbin 7.5hp
    			   "     "    "  20hp......    "    10hp
    			   "     "    "  40hp......    "    20hp
    			   "     "    " 100hp......    "    20hp
    
    	You can bring a large boat with a big motor and a kicker, BUT
    they will make you pull the prop on the big motor.
    
    					B.C.

    
    Thanks for the fast reply. I don't really want to troll that fast,
    just have a possible good deal on a 20hp for my boat. It has a 35
    on it now, but if this pans out I will no longer be stuck with a
    motor that leaves few choices of places to go.:>) look out salmon!
    see you in the spring. If this works out it's gonna be a long winter.
    
     Thanks again,
    
        Bill

    
    Anyone got a copy of a map of the Quabbin I could have, or know
    where I could get one? 
    
    Walt

    
     B.C. don't "you" have a bunch of extras??  Walt what do you
     have in mind??? 
             
                                                   nosy

re:     <<< Note 68.7 by ESKIMO::BING "Politicians prefer unarmed peasents" >>>

>    Anyone got a copy of a map of the Quabbin I could have, or know
>    where I could get one? 
    
	A poor quality map is available from the Div of Fisheries + Wildlife
	in Westboro.  Good quality maps, with depths, regulations, etc,
	can be had at the Gate 43 Bait Shop.  I got mine at a coffee shop
	near the bend in the road just after you cross a river, on Rt 32A, 
	heading towards Hardwick/Gate 43 from Rt 9.  It's on the right before
	the bend, Cumberland Farms on the left.

	At this rate, I wonder if ice out will have occurred before the
	3rd week in April!

	Ken

    
    I already talked to B.C. he's just stingy is all 8')
    And what I have in mind is to catch some fish! Actually I've
    only fished the  Quabbin once and that was with someone who
    knew it only a little better than me which means he knew squat.
    So I'm jumping the gun a little and trying to prepare myself
    ahead of time. Kinda like getting all your stuff ready for hunting
    season 3 months early, ya know? As to what species of fish? I don't
    really care, I certainly don't plan on eating them thats for sure
    so any type will do. I'll be going with Gus Rinella and when I out fish
    him like I usually do he likes to catch kivers so if you know any good
    kiver spots let me know. We're probably going to go out of gate 8
    and see what happens from there. I just figured a map would come in
    handy. 
    
    
    Walt

    
    re .9
    
    Thanks for the info.
    
    Walt

    
    
         It's kibbies Walt not kivers??? If any one wants to go fishing at
    the Quabbin I have an empty seat on my boat, since Wally will be fishing 
    from shore :')...
    
    
   Gus

    
    I'll still catch more fish than you! 8')
    
    Walt

    There's a good one out, that I picked up at Eastern Mountain Sports.
    Or you can try to find the topo maps that cover it.

    
    
    		Gus,
    
    		I'll take first dibs on that empty seat....since you
    		stiffed me last year! Walt may catch more fish from
    		shore but, are they quality fish?
    
    		DR

    
    	2 years ago I got a very good map of Quabbin from one of the towns
    	near by ( may have been Pelham )from their chamber of commerce. It
    	cost $3.00 and I had it a week after I called. ( they even sent the
    	map before I sent the money ). This was a good size 3' x 3' map.
    
    	Dave C.
     

    
    I saw a GREAT map of the big Q several years ago that showed what the Q
    looked like befor it was the Q and then the lake itself.
    
    Maybe Some local historical society could help
    
    TQW
    

    The scheduled opening date for Quabbin of April 17, may be pushed to 
    April 24 because of the amount of ice that is still on the lake. The
    decision will be made today. Fishing information can be obtained by
    writing to;
               Quabbin Visitors Information Center
               P.O. Box 628
               Belchertown, Mass. 01007 
                     or call
               413-323-7221

    Jim

    
     Thanks Jim!
    
          Thats going to push smallie action out to the 1st week
     of June!  Fine with me.
    
                                                 murph

    Also, both Quabbin and Wachusett are full to capacity. We'll be
    putting out 20 colors of lead core on the Quabbin this summer.

    Jim

	I called the Quabbin this morning, and they said opening day
	is rescheduled to 4/24.   I'm not complaining - the weather
	for saturday sounds pretty bad!

	Ken

    
    Not having been out to Quabbin for 20+ years, and just recently getting 
    a boat/motor that meets the lake requirements, I'm looking for 
    recommendations as to where to launch. I'll be driving out from the
    Marlboro area, if that makes any difference. 
    
    Any thoughts/directions to the ramp(s?) would be greatly appreciated.
    
    thanks,
    
    Jack

    I usually go to gate 8, but that's because we usually rent a boat
    and put our 4hp motor on it. With the small engine we can't travel
    far in short enough time, and there is less wind in that area, so
    trolling isn't as tough. However, many people prefer gate 31 if you
    got a boat with some speed so that you can get out to the barrels
    in  a short enough time. 


    Jim

    	What do you want to fish for???  Trout/Salmon most people like
    Gate 8...  Rt. 9 west to 202 north, Gate 8 on the right.
    Bass or mixed Bass/Trout/Salmon try Gate 31.  Go into Worcester and
    take Rt. 122 north.  Watch for Gate 31 on your left after you enter 
    Petersham.
    	My favorite is Gate 43.  A little harder to find though. Rt. 122
    north to left on Old Turnpike Rd. in Rutland (?).  It will cross Rt. 67
    then cross Rt. 32 in Old Furnace, then Rt. 32A in Hardwick center. 
    In Hardwick center look for the sign that says Fishing Area #3 Gate 43.
    	After you turn off 122 it's really just a matter of keeping your
    wits and going straight at every intersection.  This road is actually
    shown on the Rand McNally maps, but without rt. # or name...
    
    						B.C.

    
    Sorry - didn't think to mention that. We would be fishing for bass casting 
    artificials. The kids are 7 and 10, and they do ok with spinnerbaits and 
    crankbaits. 
    
    On occasion, when the fishing is slow or the kids are getting bored, we 
    have been known to troll for whatever hits... ;-)
    
    
    Thanks for the help!
    
    Jack

    	Still just a little early for Quabbin Bass, but that doesn't mean
    you won't have a great day!  Might want to try the Pottapaug Pond area
    at Gate 43.  It's probably 600-700 acres and mostly shallow.  Lots of
    weeds, stumps etc.  It's supposed to be great early season!
    	Myself?  I'd do the main lake and look for Smallies!
    
    						B.C.

    I am looking for basic advice on techniques for fishing the Quabbin.  I
    am a beginner at Lake fishing.  I am planning to spend alot of time out
    of Gate 8 early in the season.  I have a 16' boat, 20HP engine and a
    downrigger.  I would like to hook-up with both Lakers and Salmon.
    
    All suggestions are welcome, i.e. where to fish, lure vs. live, depth
    vs. temperature, etc.
    
    I am planning to go out on opening day.  What time is recommended to
    arrive at the Gate to get a reasonable launch?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Emil

	   I'd suggest getting there about 24 hours early...  And don't
	drink anything as there will be State Police crawling over, under,
	around and through everything there.

	   Seriously though, I don't do Quabbin on -any- weekend, let alone
	opening day there!  But that's me, and I've been called unsociable
	once or twice...

	   I can't help you with depth or lures early season, but most
	people fish right by the barrel line, within sight of the launch.
	All you have to do is be compatible, get in line and ride around
	in big circles... Kind of like a wagon train...

	   					B.C.

    I've done a bit of laker fishing in the spring at the Quabbin.
    I'd say get to at least 50' deep before you even think about
    putting the downrigger down.  We used to troll Davis spinners
    followed by a live shinner, just off the bottom.  The salmon will
    be on the surface early in the morning.  Long lining lures that
    run about 5' down would be a good bet.  3am is not too early, some
    guys will sleep in their cars all night.  And yes, the MDC police
    (now State) will be there the 1st couple weekends looking for beer.
    They can, and will, go through your boat and cooler.  Dress warm  :*)
    Myself, I'll wait until May for some smallie action.
    
    Gone fishin
    Gaff

    	Is the beer check just a Quabbin thing ? If I was a passenger on
    someone's boat and they were driving, I can't bring beer with me ?
    
    	RAYJ

    > Is the beer check just a Quabbin thing ? If I was a passenger on
    
    I think the law is no alchol on any MDC property (water or land)
    
    Bob

	   No possession of alcohol on MDC property, $500 dollar fine.

					B.C.

    Thanks for all the information about beer and the MDC, can I turn this
    back to my origianl question???  How do you fish the Quabbin for Lakers
    and Salmon, early in the season out of Gate 8.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Emil

	RE: .33

	   You could start by re-reading .28 and .29...  You've got a
	location, a depth, and a bait.  It's more than a lot of people
	have their first time there.  You could also call the bait shop
	that's right at the gate.  Just so we're not redundant, where else
	have you looked for info?  Are you looking for a complete course on
	Lake Trout/Salmon or do you already have some basic knowledge about
	them?  

	   The alcohol information was supplied as a simple warning due
	to the fact that -many- people who go to Quabbin for the first
	time manage to get themselves in trouble by dropping a a beer or
	two for the afternoon in their cooler.

						B.C.

	I don't know if it makes a difference, but for salmon, try
	trolling streamers, orange (broken back) rapala's, spoons -
	again, orange seems to work great.

	I've also used the above behind a Davis spinner with pretty good
	results for salmon, just trolling without a downrigger.  I've also
	caught lakers that way.   Try fishing around brooks where the
	lakers hang out looking for baitfish (smelt).

	Other options besides using a downrigger (I've yet to get the hang
	of these!) is to bottom fish for the elusive laker using shiners.
	
	Laker fishing is tough - they're smart fish.  Use light line.
	And have lots of time.

	/Ken

I used to use a streamer back about 10-15' feet in the prop wash using a 
fly rod.  The salmon are curious about the motor and come up to investigate.

When a salmon hits, the fun starts.  My favorite streamers were Gray and Green
goasts.

keith

re:                      <<< Note 68.37 by MSBCS::MERCIER >>>

>        Is it a mad house worth avoiding opening day? I have heard that it
>    is better to show up around 7:00 and avoid the wait. Is this true?

Opening day is an experience at the Q, but it gets really crowded.
I've done the opening at gate 43 a couple of times.

If the gates open on a saturday at 5:00 am, then there will be say, 
a dozen cars already in line by mid-afternoon on friday.  By dinner 
time there are probably *dozens* of vehicles in line and increasing
throughout the night.  It's a good time - lots of people talking 
fishing all day and night, card games, etc - if the weather is good
that is.   No camping, camp fires, or tents, so you sleep in the vehicle
or the boat.

If you don't get in line by dinner time or even earlier, you won't get in 
by 7 am on saturday regardless if you wait in line, which moves pretty slow.
If you like to avoid lines, crowds, and the wait, I wouldn't recommend
opening day.  

Probably the best setup I saw was a pickup with a camping trailer towing
their boat...

/Ken

    Today's Worc. T& G reports that Quabbin will officially open for '96
    fishing this Saturday from boats, rentals and shore. The earlier
    opening will result in an earlier closing (~ 1week).
    If tomorrow's snowstorm materializes (forecast is for 8-12") shore
    fishing could prove interesting.... may need to wear ice crimps on
    shore to keep from sliding in 8^o-[-<
    

Oakham is about 18 minutes from gate 43. There are two campgrounds in Oakham,
Lake Dean Campground, 508 882-3125, and Pine Acres Campground, 508 882-9509.

-kg

    Bob,
    
    Go  down rt. 202 toward gate 8 in Pelham, you should see a sign
    for a camping area on the right. Sorry though, I can't remember the
    name of the campground. It is however, about equal distance from gates
    8 and 31. Gate 8 has a boat landing and a livery to rent boats as
    well.
    
    Hope this helps,
    
    Don