Community Corner

Hopkinton Family Fishing Follows Trout Stocking

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife release a half-million trout into waters on state Division of Conservation and Recreation properties, including Hopkinton State Park.

Hopkinton Reservoir at Hopkinton State Park, Whitehall Reservoir, and the Hopkinton section of the Sudbury River are among the sites where the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is stocking more than 529,800 brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout this spring. Seventy-one percent of the fish average 12 inches or longer. 

“We have some high-quality fish this spring,” Massachusetts Chief Fish Culturist Dr. Ken Simmons said. “We had to deal with severe drought conditions last summer and early fall.”

 “The hatchery crews did an excellent job with the fish,” Simmons said.

Find out what's happening in Holliston-Hopkintonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Stocking in some parts of the state began in late March. Stocking statewide begins today. 

With larger water bodies receiving the larger fish,the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife this spring will release:

Find out what's happening in Holliston-Hopkintonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

217,000 rainbow trout averaging at least 14 inches;

86,000 rainbows from 9 to 13 inches;

51,400 12-inch brown trout;

 92,000 6- to12-inch browns;

51,000 9- to 12-inch rainbows;

26,400 rainbows at least 12 inches long;

6,000 tiger trout, all topping 14 inches.

Tiger trout are a cross between a female brown trout and a male brook trout. They have become popular with folks lucky enough to hook and land one.

Would you like to meet some of these fish? The Hopkinton Reservoir Family Fishing Festival sponsored by the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will be held at Hopkinton Reservoir Wednesday, April 20 (school vacation week) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anyone under age 15 does not need a fishing license. Adults who wish to fish can click here to get a fishing license online. Licenses cost $27.50 for adults, $11.50 for teens ages 15 to 17, $16.25 for people ages 65 to 69 and are free for people age 70 and older, parapalegics, people who are blind or have intellectual disabilities.

The Hopkinton Reservoir Family Fishing Festival at Hopkinton State Park is free and  family-friendly. Angler Education Program volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. Contact Jim Lagacy at at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

Click on this link for a complete list of trout-stocked waters and trout-stocking activities or call the Northeast–Ayer office of Fisheries and Wildlife at (978) 772-2145. For more free fishing events for families click here.

Check HopkintonPatch.com for more outdoor news. And check the state's Great Outdoors blog dedicated to Massachusetts outdoor activities, events, wildlife, state parks and local agriculture that features a calendar of Massachusetts outdoor events.

 

 


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