May 2018
May 2018 MassWildlife Monthly newsletter
2018 fishing and hunting season summary
May 4: Montague Plains Birding and Ecology, Montague – MassWildlife’s Habitat Planning Coordinator, Brian Hawthorn, will lead a walk through the Montague Plains Wildlife Management Area from 6:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. Montague Plains is a unique area created by glaciers that includes natural pitch pine and scrub oak communities, unusually found this far inland. The management area is also home to several rare plant, reptile, and bird species, including whip-poor-wills. Join MassWildlife staff to learn about this unique area, and how fire and timber harvesting are used as habitat management tools. We'll look for birds such as prairie warbler, eastern towhee, and field sparrow. As the sun sets, we'll listen for the dusk chorus of whip-poor-wills and woodcocks. Meet on Old Northfield Road in Montague between Turners Falls Road and Lake Pleasant Road beneath the large powerline that crosses Old Northfield Road. Get directions.
May 5: Needham Recreation Family Fishing Festival, Needham – This is a family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Needham Reservior (470 Dedham Ave), 9 a.m.–12 p.m. This event is in cooperation with Needham Park and Recreation Commission. *Open to the public. Please contact the Needham Park and Recreation Commission at (781) 455-7550 for more information.
May 5: Snows Pond Family Fishing Festival, Charlton – This is a family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Fay Mountain Farm in Charlton (12 Cemetery Rd), 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Charlton Conservation Department. *Open to the public. Please contact Todd Girard at (508) 248-2247 or todd.girard@townofcharlton.net for more information.
May 6: Brookline Reservoir Family Fishing Festival, Brookline – This is a non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event at Brookline Reservoir (located along Route 9 between Lee and Warren Streets in Brookline) 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Brookline Recreation Department; there will be a charge of $7 per family for this event which is payable online, by phone, or in person the day of the event to the Brookline Recreation Department. *Open to the public. For more information, contact Stephanie Springer at sspringer@brooklinema.gov or Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
May 10: Family Fishing Clinic, Littleton – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Long Pond Beach in Littleton (22 Town Rd.), 6–8 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Littleton Recreation Department. Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact the Littleton Recreation Office at https://littletonprce.recdesk.com/Community/Home or (978) 540-2490 for more information.
May 10: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough – The meeting will take place at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters Office located at 1 Rabbit Hill Road in Westborough from 1:30–4:30 p.m. in the Southwest Meeting Room, Room #103. Please note: If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations, please contact Susan Sacco at 508-389-6342.
May 12: Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children, Sudbury – GUW is an early childhood education activity guide that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills. Workshop participants will receive a copy of the guide and a certificate of completion. Click here to learn about this workshop. To register contact Pam Landry, MassWildlife, pam.landry@state.ma.us. Registration deadline is May 1, 2018.
May 12: Coes Pond Family Fishing Event, Worcester – This is both a derby and a fishing education event sponsored by the Worcester Fish and Game Association at Coes Pond in Worcester (John Binienda Beach area), 8–11 a.m. *Open to the public. Please contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
May 12: Westborough Civic Club Family Fishing Festival, Westborough – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Sandra Pond (Upton Rd. Westborough), 9 a.m.–1 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Westborough Civic Club. *Open to the public. Please contact Gerry Knall at dacoach50@verizon.net for more information.
May 15: Family Fishing Clinic, Shrewsbury – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Dean Park Pond (805 Main St. in Shrewsbury) from 5:30–7:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Shrewsbury Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; please contact the Shrewsbury Recreation Office after March 7th at (508) 841-8503 for more information.
May 16: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting, Dalton – The May meeting of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Stationery Factory (63 Flansburg Avenue, Dalton, MA). If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations, please contact Susan Sacco at (508) 389-6342. Anyone wishing to be placed on the agenda to speak must notify the Board 2 weeks prior to the Board meeting; for more detailed information, contact Susan Sacco at (508) 389-6342.
May 17: Family Fishing Clinic, Wellesley – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Morses Pond Beach in Wellesley (Morses access road) from 5–7 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Wellesley Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required, please contact Brandon Fitts at bfitts@wellesleyma.gov or (781) 235-2370.
May 19: Cops And Bobbers Family Fishing Festival, Granby – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event at Dufresne Park Pond in Granby from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Amherst Police and Fire Departments and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. *Open to the public. Please contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
May 19: Veterans Family Fishing Festival, Marlborough – This is a family friendly fishing event open to all veterans and their families at the Marlborough Fish and Game Club (1 Muddy Lane, Marlborough) from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Marlboro Fish and Game Club. Please contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
May 19: Spec Pond Family Fishing Derby, Wilbraham – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Wilbraham Parks and Recreation Department, and United Bank at Spec Pond (2540 Boston Rd (Rt. 20), Wilbraham), 9 a.m.–12 p.m. *Open to the public. Please contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
May 19: Family Fishing Festival, Burlington – This is non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event at Mill Pond Reservoir in Burlington from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (Park and walk in from the Water Treatment Plant on Winter Street.) Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Burlington Recreation Department. There will be a charge of $25 per family for this event (which includes food and one raffle ticket for each member of the family) payable prior to the event online, www.burlingtonrecreation.org or in person at the Burlington Recreation Department. *Open to the public. Pre-registration required. For more information contact the Burlington Rec. Dept. at www.burlingtonrecreation.org, or (781) 270-1695.
May 20: Whitman’s Pond Family Fishing Festival, Weymouth – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Whitman’s Pond in Weymouth (boat launch area off of Middle St.) 10 a.m.–1 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Whitman’s Pond Association. *Open to the public. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
May 21: Family Fishing Clinic, Concord – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Walden Pond (915 Walden St. in Concord) from 4:30–6:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Concord Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; please contact the Concord Recreation Department at www.concordrec.com or (978) 287-1057 for more information.
May 22: Family Fishing Clinic, Raynham – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Johnsons Pond (North Main St. Raynham), 5–7 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Raynham Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact the Raynham Recreation Department at https://www.raynhamrec.com/info/default.aspx to pre-register.
May 23: Family Fishing Clinic, Lexington – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Old Reservoir in Lexington (Parking area off of Rt. 2A), 4–6 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Lexington Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact the Lexington Recreation Department at https://www.lexingtonma.gov/recreation-community-programs or (781) 698-4800 for more information.
May 29: Family Fishing Clinic, Stoneham – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Spot Pond in Stoneham (Straw Point Parking area at the corner of South St. and Main St.), 5:30–7:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Stoneham Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; please contact the Stoneham Recreation Department at www.stonehamrec.com or (781) 279-2609 for more information.
May 30: Family Fishing Clinic, Andover – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Pomps Pond in Andover (147 Abbot St.), 4–6 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Andover Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact the Andover Recreation Dept. at http://andoverrec.com/landing/index or 978-623-8340 for more information.
June 2018
June 2-3: FREE FISHING WEEKEND – Take a friend or family member fishing - you won't need a fishing license to fish any public freshwater lake, pond, reservoir, river or stream statewide from 12 a.m. Saturday June 2 until 11:59 p.m. Sunday June 3.
While you can fish for free on June 2-3, a license is required at all other times if you're 15 or older. If you're 15-17, your license is free. Learn more about license purchases and fees.
June 2: Great Falls Discovery Center Family Fishing Festival, Turners Falls – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at the Great Falls Discovery Center on the Connecticut River in Turners Falls (2 Avenue A), 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. *Open to the public. Contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
June 2: Get Up and Get Outdoors Family Fishing Festival, Charlton – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Buffumville Lake Park (229 Oxford Rd., Charlton), 10 a.m–1 p.m. *Open to the public. Please contact Nicole Giles at Nicole.C.Giles@usace.army.mil for more information.
June 3: Carbuncle Pond Family Fishing Festival, Oxford – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Oxford Conservation Department at the beach area off of Main Street in Oxford from 10 a.m.–1 pm. *Open to the public. Please contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
June 5: Family Fishing Clinic, Wakefield – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Lake Quannapowit (Playground area off of Lake Ave.) 3:30–5:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Reading Recreation Department.*Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact Reading Recreation at https://readingma.myrec.com/info/default.aspx to pre-register.
June 6: Family Fishing Clinic, Canton – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic at Reservoir Pond 5–7 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Canton Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required; contact Canton Recreation at https://www.cantonrec.com/info/activities/ to pre-register.
June 7: Family Fishing Clinic, Swansea – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the Swansea Public Library at Lewin Brook Pond (corner of Main Street and Hortonville Road, Swansea) from 6–8 pm. *Open to the public, pre-registration required. Please contact Carol Gafford at carol.gafford@sailsinc.org or (508) 674-9609 for more information.
June 9: Adult "Learn to Fly Fish", Marlborough – This is clinic designed for adults (18+) interested in learning how to fly fish at the Marlborough Fish and Game Club (1 Muddy Lane, Marlborough 01752) 10 a.m.–2 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Marlborough Fish and Game Club. Open to the public, pre-registration required, contact Jim Lagacy at jim.lagacy@state.ma.us or (508) 389-6309.
June 12: Adult “Learn to Fish”, Westborough – This is learn to fish clinic designed for adult beginners at Sandra Pond in Westborough (Upton Rd.) 5:30–8:30 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Westborough Recreation Department. *Open to the public, pre-registration required. Please contact Alan Grady at agrady@town.westborough.ma.us or (508) 366-3066 for more information.
June 13: Family Fishing Clinic, Brewster – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic in cooperation with the Brewster Recreation Department at Cliff Pond in Nickerson State Park, from 4–6 p.m. *Open to the public, pre-registration required. Please contact Michael Gradone at mgradone@brewster-ma.gov for more information.
June 14: Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting, Westborough – The meeting will take place at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters Office located at 1 Rabbit Hill Road in Westborough from 1:30–4:30 p.m. in the Southwest Meeting Room, Room #103. Please note: If you have a disability or medical condition and would like to request special accommodations, please contact Susan Sacco at 508-389-6342.
June 14: Family Fishing Clinic, Rochester – This is a family friendly, learn to fish clinic in cooperation with The Buzzards Bay Coalition at Mary’s Pond in Rochester (boat launch area off Perry’s Lane) from 5:30–7:30 p.m. *Open to the public, pre-registration required. Please contact Cassie Lawson of the Buzzards Bay Coalition at lawson@savebuzzardsbay.org or (508) 999-6363 x224 for more information.
June 16: Spot Pond Family Fishing Festival, Stoneham – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided at Spot Pond in Stoneham (located at the Straw Point area on the north end of Spot Pond off of New South Street) from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Stoneham Police. *Open to the public. Please contact Jim Lagacy at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us for more information.
June 16: Great Meadows Family Fishing Festival, Sudbury – This is a free, non-competitive, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. This event is in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Great Meadows) at 73 Weir Hill Rd., Sudbury, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. *Open to the public. Please contact Jared Green at (978) 440-0280 or jared_green@fws.gov for more information.
June 30: Jamaica Pond Family Fishing Festival, Jamaica Plain Boston – This is a free, family friendly, learn to fish event. Bring your fishing equipment, or borrow ours; limited equipment and bait will be provided. Meet at the beach area along Pond Street 9 a.m.–1 p.m. This event is in cooperation with the Boston Police Department. *Open to the public. Please contact Michael Aziz at michael.aziz@pd.boston.gov for more information.