MassWildlife Monthly March 2025

News from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

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Spring trout stocking begins soon

Get ready, anglers—trout stocking season is just around the corner! This spring, MassWildlife will stock hundreds of thousands of beautiful brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout into 458 lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 264 Massachusetts cities and towns. Stocking in set to begin the second week of March in the southeast; other regions of the state will begin as soon as weather conditions allow. Visit Mass.gov/trout to get daily stocking updates and find a fishing spot near you.

MassWildlife raises trout that are both fun to catch and delicious to eat at its five hatcheries in Sandwich, Palmer, Belchertown, Sunderland, and Montague. Whether you're a seasoned angler or new to the sport, now is the perfect time to grab your gear and license, find a stocked waterbody near you, and experience the thrill of reeling in a fresh catch.

This year’s fish are bigger and better than ever. While the quantity of stocked trout (measured in total pounds) has remained about the same for the last decade, MassWildlife has been steadily producing larger trout by adjusting hatchery growing techniques. Just ten years ago, less than 60% of stocked trout were over 12 inches—now, over 80% measure over a foot!

Don't forget your 2025 freshwater fishing license—buy online at MassFishHunt or by visiting a license vendor location.

Black bears are active and searching for food: take precautions

MassWildlife officials are reminding the public that March is when hungry bears emerge from their winter dens and seek out food. If you live in northern Middlesex County, Worcester County, western Massachusetts, or other areas where bears have been spotted, take these steps to prevent conflicts with black bears:

1. Take down your bird feeders. Bears will often ignore seasonally available natural foods, like skunk cabbage, acorns, and nuts, in favor of an easy meal at a backyard bird feeder. Other species, including wild turkeys and coyotes, may also frequent bird feeders which can lead to more human-wildlife conflict. If you enjoy watching birds in your yard, MassWildlife suggests adding a water feature or growing native plants, shrubs, and trees to attract birds. 
2. Secure other human-associated food sources on your property. Store garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding and put it by the roadside the morning of pick up. Individuals should also secure bee hives, chickens, and livestock.  Coops and chicken wire provide inadequate protection from black bears. Properly installed and maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or bee hives from bears.
3. Protect your pets. The presence of a dog could trigger a bear to be aggressive. Check your yard for bears before letting your dog outside. Keep dogs leashed when they’re outdoors and never let dogs chase or interact with bears.

Black bears in Massachusetts

There are at least 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts and their range is expanding eastward. Take action by educating yourself and your neighbors about proactive measures to avoid conflicts with bears. For more information about black bears in Massachusetts, visit mass.gov/bears. 

Watch for amphibians on the road

For many Massachusetts residents, spring rain is a reminder of the changing seasons. For smaller Massachusetts natives, like amphibians, spring rains signal it’s time to emerge from winter retreats and migrate to breeding sites or disperse to new areas. Unfortunately, many of those animals will face the daunting task of having to cross roads to reach their destinations. Spotted salamanders, wood frogs, blue-spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, American toads, spring peepers, four-toed salamanders, northern leopard frogs, and eastern red-backed salamanders are frequently encountered on roads during early spring rains. With little to no snow cover and the ground thawed in many areas, we expect migrations in milder, lower-elevation parts of Massachusetts to commence with the next warm, rainy night.

These animals can be difficult to see, as they are generally small-bodied and move under the cover of dark. This spring, please be mindful of our amphibians and our natural heritage.

How you can help:

• Please drive cautiously and carefully.
• Whenever possible, please consider not driving on rainy nights when air temperatures are 40°F or higher to protect amphibians who are on the move.
• Travel on larger highways rather than small, wooded roads if possible. Plan routes that minimize the number of wetlands or vernal pools passed.
• If observing amphibian migrations, consider arriving at your destination prior to sunset, and then conduct your monitoring on foot.
• If assisting amphibians across roadways or handling them for other reasons, be sure your hands are free of lotions, bug repellent, or other chemicals.
• If you encounter any of our state-listed rare amphibian species (eastern spadefoot, blue-spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, and marbled salamander), please take a clear photograph of the animal, carefully record the location, and submit an observation report to MassWildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.
• Go the extra mile to help preserve amphibian habitat by certifying vernal pools on your property. The data you collect is used to help MassWildlife and local conservation organizations better understand habitat resources for our native amphibians.

MassWildlife March Madness Photo Contest

We want to see your best wildlife photos! To celebrate our own kind of March Madness, we are having a showdown of photos that best highlight the diverse wildlife found in Massachusetts.

Wildlife photographers: Enter your photo of Massachusetts wildlife by March 11 to compete. Get rules and upload today!

Wildlife lovers: The public will vote on winning photos throughout March. To cast your vote and follow the photo contest bracket, like and follow @MassWildlife on Facebook and follow @Mass.wildlife on Instagram.

Dance of the American woodcock

March in New England often feels like an extension of winter. But if you look (and listen) closely, you may observe the subtle, but unmistakable signs of spring—like the mating flight of the American woodcock. This courtship display, also known as the “sky dance,” is a remarkable aerial performance conducted during the woodcock breeding season which begins in March.

Meet the sky dancers

The American woodcock (Scolopax minor)—also known as timberdoodle, bogsucker, and Labrador twister—is a plump, short-legged bird with a long straight bill. The unique physical features and behaviors of this forest-dwelling sandpiper have earned the woodcock a rather quirky reputation and certainly inspire wonder in those who see them.

Woodcocks can be found in forest edges, young forests, and overgrown fields in poorly drained areas with moist soil. The mottled brown, tan, and gray of their feathers provide excellent camouflage to these birds as they move along the leaf-covered ground searching for food. Their long, flexible bill helps the woodcock probe soft soil for earthworms and other invertebrates. While searching for food, woodcocks sometimes rock from front to back shifting their weight from foot to foot while their head stays still. This peculiar-looking “boogie walk” is thought to create vibrations that help the woodcock locate earthworms. Their large eyes are set relatively far back on the head and help the woodcock keep watch for predators while probing the ground for a meal.

The big show

The American woodcock is native to eastern US and Canada and migrate relatively short distances seasonally. They can be found throughout Massachusetts from early spring through the fall; mating season begins in early or mid-March and lasts through May.

To attract females and establish their territory, males perform a complex set of vocal and physical maneuvers to show their fitness:

• In an open or semi-open field near a forested area, the American woodcock claims a section of the ground and repetitively make a nasal “peent” call. This sound helps attract females and alerts rival males of their presence.
• After a series of peent calls, the woodcock suddenly takes to the air in a wide spiraling flight pattern. As they fly to heights of about 200-300 feet, males beat specialized wing feathers to produce a steady twittering or whistling sound.
• At the height of their flight, the woodcock hovers in preparation for the descent. The twittering pulses get shorter and may include a few louder sharp chirps.
• During the descent, the woodcock flies in a zigzagging, fluttering motion. They may also produce a series of liquid chirping sounds (that could be made by vocalizations or wing beats—biologists are still debating!).
• Finally, the male woodcock lands silently near its original position and waits to see if a female has noticed. This performance may be repeated several times while the glow of twilight lasts.

How to view

The American woodcock breeds in all counties of the Commonwealth. If you’d like to witness the sky dance, here are some tips to increase your chances for seeing or hearing the woodcock mating display:

• Time of year: Woodcock typically arrive in Massachusetts by mid-March and breed from then through late May.
• Time of day: Males perform their mating flight during twilight, when there is some light in the sky after sunset or before sunrise. If you venture out at dusk, find a spot to sit on the eastern edge of the signing grounds so that you can see the birds with the remaining light in the west.
• Habitat: While American woodcocks spend majority of their time in forested areas, mating displays occur in open habitats including overgrown pastures and orchards, brushy fields, or bogs. Displays may even take place in utility rights of way or city parks that are near forests.

When viewing woodcock displays or any wildlife, make sure to give these birds plenty of space so you don’t disrupt their natural behavior. Stay at the edge of the singing grounds and position yourself lower to the ground using vegetation to disguise your presence.

If you miss out on seeing a woodcock display this spring, check out one of the many online videos. Do you have footage of a sky dance? Send it to MassWildlife on Facebook, Instagram, or by email. 

2025 Youth Turkey Hunt Program

The Youth Turkey Hunt Program introduces youth (ages 12-17) to the world of hunting. This safe and fun program is offered by MassWildlife, the Massachusetts State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, and participating Sportsmen's Clubs. After completing program requirements, youth hunters can hunt on a special day with a licensed adult hunter. This year, the mentored hunt will be on April 26, 2025.

All first-time participants must complete a seminar before the day of the hunt. You can choose to complete the seminar in-person or at your own pace through online learning. Learn about all the Youth Turkey Hunt Program requirements and get started.

Report winter fish kills

This year's cold winter created more ice cover on ponds, decreasing oxygen levels and potentially causing natural fish kills. Make sure to report fish kills as the temperatures rise.

During winter, thick ice and heavy snow cover can result in low dissolved oxygen levels in ponds. With increasing ice and snow packs, there is less light penetration through the water column. This alters chemical and biological processes, often resulting in a winter fish kill. 

The vast majority of fish kills turn out to be caused by a natural event. However, it’s important for biologists to rule out other causes including pollution. Natural fish kills are generally the result of low dissolved oxygen levels (anoxia), spawning stress or fish diseases. Dissolved oxygen depletion is one of the most common causes of natural fish kills. Weedy ponds that are less than 15 feet deep are particularly vulnerable. This can be the case at any time of the year but generally occurs during severe winters or late spring/early summer.

Ice anglers may encounter signs of a low oxygen environment when they drill through the ice and notice the smell of rotten egg or observe sluggish or dying shiners. The odor is hydrogen sulfide gas which is a natural byproduct of low dissolved oxygen environments, and is not likely the result of pollution. Oxygen levels will be return to normal shortly after the ice melts in the spring.

If you observe dead fish, contact the Environmental Police's 24-hour radio room at 1 [phone]. A MassWildlife biologist will review each situation to determine whether the kill is natural or requires a site investigation.  

Support endangered species at tax time

More than 430 plants and animals are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. These rare species play an important role in keeping the Commonwealth's natural communities thriving. You can make a difference by supporting endangered species conservation while filing your taxes this year. Simply look for Line 33A for Endangered Wildlife Conservation on your state tax form and write in any amount. Your meaningful donation will go to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Fund which is dedicated specifically to the conservation of rare species in the Commonwealth.

Already filed your taxes, but still want to donate? There are a few other ways you can donate:

• Online with a credit card or electronic check*
• Through your MassFishHunt account
• By check made payable to "Comm. of MA—NHESP" and mailed to: MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough, MA 01581

_{*You will be redirected to our payment portal with nCourt, LLC.}

Public hearing announcements

• The public comment period for proposed bear hunting regulations has been extended. All comments must be received by 4 p.m. on March 17, 2025. Learn more.
• A public hearing is scheduled for March 20, 2025 at 1 p.m. on proposed amendments to wildlife sanctuary regulations related to posting against improper use. The current posting procedure is not changing; it is being codified in the regulation. Learn more.

Date published:	March 7, 2024