April 2021
2021 fishing & hunting season dates
April 1: Managing Wildlife in the Third Most Densely Populated State – MassWildlife restores, protects, and manages land for wildlife conservation and to provide wildlife based recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting and wildlife observation. The Tufts University Environmental Studies Program is hosting this presentation as part of a lecture series. The presentation is from Noon to 1p.m. and is open to the public. There is no fee, but registration is required. MassWildlife's Deputy Director, Dr. Jon Regosin, will explore current challenges in wildlife management in our densely populated state including deer and forest health, endangered species, and human-wildlife interactions. The talk will also address how MassWildlife is responding to long-term societal changes such as urbanization, increased ethnic and racial diversity, and changing wildlife values.
April 8: Turkey Hunting Tips Facebook Livestream Event – Join MassWildlife’s Turkey Biologist David Scarpitti and turkey experts from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to learn about turkey hunting, regulations, tips for scouting, calling, decoys, and gear. The livestream event will end with a Q&A session with the panelists. No registration required. Just tune in on Facebook.com/masswildlife from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. A recording will be available for viewing on MassWildlife's Facebook page following the event.
April 8: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting – The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee will hold its quarterly meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom. Click here to join the Zoom session using your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking this link with Passcode k92t3t, or you can join by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the Meeting ID: 891 0687 9198 and Passcode: 570810 when prompted.
April 13: Turkey Calling Basics Online Seminar – Join MassWildlife's Learn to Hunt Program and calling experts from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for an online class all about turkey calling! The class will be held on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. You will learn about the different types of turkey calls and when to use them. NWTF calling experts will demonstrate different calls and calling techniques. The seminar is free, but space is limited and registration is required. This class is full.
April 23: Fisheries and Wildlife Board Meeting – At 9 a.m., the Fisheries and Wildlife Board April business meeting will be held virtually via a Zoom video meeting. The public may join the Board members and MassWildlife staff via computer or phone line. Find the agenda and instructions on joining the Zoom meeting at this link.
April 23: Public Hearing on 2021–2022 Migratory Game Bird Regulations – At 9:30 a.m., MassWildlife and the Fisheries and Wildlife Board will hold a public hearing to establish rules and regulations relative to the 2021–2022 migratory game bird hunting seasons. Click here to join the Zoom session using your computer, tablet, or smartphone by clicking this link with Passcode Nf493y, or you can join by phone by calling 1-929-205-6099 and entering the Webinar ID: 824 8045 8458 and Passcode: 532851 when prompted. Click here to review the proposed regulations and learn how to submit public comment.
April 27: Fish Health, Cyanobacteria and Nutrient Management – Harmful algal blooms are causing beaches and lakes to close to recreation throughout the country, but how do cyanobacteria affect fishing and fish populations? As part of the 2021 Blue Space Angler Event Series, join MassWildlife, Indian Lake Watershed Association, and the City of Worcester for a virtual event at 6:30 p.m. to learn how harmful algal blooms can affect our fisheries, as well as some of the ways the City and other partners are looking to reduce their impact on local lakes and ponds. Event features MassWildlife Fisheries Biologist Jason Stolarski and Nancy Leland. Event contact: Indian Lake Board, Worcester.
May 2021
2021 fishing & hunting season dates
May 6: The Biology of Fly Fishing – In fly fishing, anglers use small lures called flies to imitate insects and other aquatic organisms to catch fish. Knowing about those food sources can greatly increase your success on the water. Aside from helping us catch fish, the organisms that live in lakes and streams can also tell us a lot about the health of water bodies. As part of the 2021 Blue Space Angler Event Series, join the City of Worcester and MassWildlife at 6 p.m. for a virtual event where you will learn about the aquatic organisms that fish eat. Discover what clues those organisms reveal about your waterbody and what fly patterns you can use to imitate them. If you are interested in fly fishing or just what lives in local waterbodies, this event is for you! Event contact: burmeisterj@worcesterma.gov.
May 13: Some Like It Hot, Trout Do Not; A Coldwater Monitoring Project Partnership – Imagine you're a fish that requires cold water temperatures even during the hot summer months; where do you go when seasonal drought conditions or longer term climate factors warm up your chilly stream habitat, lower water levels, and decrease flow rates? In this free webinar beginning at 7 p.m. and hosted by the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), learn how MassWildlife fisheries biologists partnering with NRWA and Trout Unlimited are monitoring stream temperatures to identify important coldwater patches (refugia) where fish and other aquatic life can retreat during warmer months. This information will help inform fish conservation efforts. The presentation “Climate change refugia and the protection of rivers and streams“ will be given on the Zoom platform by Rebecca Quiñones Ph. D., MassWildlife's Rivers and Streams Project Leader. This is part of a webinar series offered by NRWA on Dam Removals, RIver Herring, Mussels, and Climate Impacts. Program is free, but registration is required.
May 19: Learn To Fish! – Are you interested in giving fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? As part of the 2021 Blue Space Angler Event Series, join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program, Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association, and Shrewsbury Parks and Rec to learn the basics of fishing in a virtual session at 6:30 p.m. In this family friendly event, participants will be provided an overview of rod and reel fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy a day of fishing. Following this virtual event, participants will get the opportunity to give fishing a try and borrow equipment for the weekend. They are also welcome to participate in the "Fishapalooza - Caught on Camera" Virtual Fishing Event the following weekend. While no fishing license is required, online registration is, as space is limited. Event contact: info@libconcut.com.
June 2021
July 2021
2021 fishing & hunting season dates
July 8: Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee Meeting – The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Advisory Committee will hold its quarterly meeting at 1:30 p.m. Details to join the meeting will be posted closer to the meeting date.
July 19: Fish in Cold Waters – In this online event hosted by MassWildlife and the City of Worcester, participants will learn what defines coldwater fish resources, where are they located in Worcester, and how water quality impacts fishing opportunities in the region. This session begins at 6:30 p.m. and is part of the 2021 Blue Space Angler Event Series. Event contact: burmeisterj@worcesterma.gov.
August 2021
September 2021
2021 fishing & hunting season dates
September 18: Family Learn to Fish Event – Are you interested in giving fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? As part of the 2021 Blue Space Angler Event Series join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program and the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association to learn the basics of fishing at 9 a.m. Participants will be provided an overview of rod and reel fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy a day of fishing. Following this virtual event, participants will get the opportunity to give fishing a try at Coes Reservoir beach. All fishing equipment and materials will be provided at this event for people of all ages. While no fishing license is required, online registration is, as space is limited. Event contact: dangiza@hotmail.com