MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Northeast => Massachusetts => Topic started by: Baitbucket on Apr 02, 2018, 01:45 PM
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Found out recently that the 2018 Quabbin Night Pass has been suspended.
I called the Quabbin Visitor Center to find out more details. There is a meeting tonight to discuss the changes they plan to make. One of them is the removal of the night pass.. The reason for that is due to wanting to restrict the access at night. Which makes no sense.. You would think they would want more fisherman in there at night, at the very least you got people out there keeping an eye on things.. If someone wanted to do something nefarious, they arent going to apply for a night pass (i told the guy on the phone this as well).
They are planning for a huge crowd at the meeting tonight.
(413) 323-7221
If you fish the Q at all or ever plan to, i implore you to call the visitor center and express your concerns.
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I can't make it tonight, but I left a message on the visitor center phone for what it is worth...
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This state is ridiculous. There's so many great places to fish but they manage to screw up a lot of them. There are great fishing opportunities on many of the other reservoirs out west, most of which are reserve water supplies, yet the state doesn't allow any fishing on them. There are also plenty of rivers that could be managed 100% better. If MA wanted to they could have controlled releases out of littleville and have a fishery similar to that of the Farmington on the Westfield (or Deerfield, Ware, Millers, etc). Granted they would need to create management areas that would allow trout to holdover and would also need to keep water at knightville in order to feed littleville during drought conditions, similar to that of Colebrook and Hogsback. The state just doesnt have any interest in managing ANY fishery and would rather just dump trout in places where they can be taken to eat. This is exactly why I have a CT and NY license. If CT got consistent ice I prob wouldn't even bother buying a MA license.
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CT and mass both suck... Few more years im gone......
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This state is ridiculous. There's so many great places to fish but they manage to screw up a lot of them. There are great fishing opportunities on many of the other reservoirs out west, most of which are reserve water supplies, yet the state doesn't allow any fishing on them. There are also plenty of rivers that could be managed 100% better. If MA wanted to they could have controlled releases out of littleville and have a fishery similar to that of the Farmington on the Westfield (or Deerfield, Ware, Millers, etc). Granted they would need to create management areas that would allow trout to holdover and would also need to keep water at knightville in order to feed littleville during drought conditions, similar to that of Colebrook and Hogsback. The state just doesnt have any interest in managing ANY fishery and would rather just dump trout in places where they can be taken to eat. This is exactly why I have a CT and NY license. If CT got consistent ice I prob wouldn't even bother buying a MA license.
Funny we have the same problem in my state. Could manage for some very interesting put and grow but the state takes the easy way out and just dumps trout in the inlands lakes for put and take.
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Did anyone make it and hear any of the reasoning behind considering closing nights?
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CT and mass both suck... Few more years im gone......
This.
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Good read here
http://www.telegram.com/news/20180402/talk-of-quabbin-access-restrictions-meets-resistance-from-hunters-anglers (http://www.telegram.com/news/20180402/talk-of-quabbin-access-restrictions-meets-resistance-from-hunters-anglers)
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Good read here
http://www.telegram.com/news/20180402/talk-of-quabbin-access-restrictions-meets-resistance-from-hunters-anglers (http://www.telegram.com/news/20180402/talk-of-quabbin-access-restrictions-meets-resistance-from-hunters-anglers)
Excellent read. Love the line "some regulations were not “perfectly logical,” explaining that over time they were the result of pressure from different groups with different interests." They clearly made changes to access/regulations without public consent in the past in order to placate various interest groups.
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Does one have to subscribe to read the article? I was not able to see more than a couple of pictures.
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Does one have to subscribe to read the article? I was not able to see more than a couple of pictures.
Dont think so. But here is the whole article:
BELCHERTOWN – Speculation about proposed changes to the Quabbin Public Access Management Plan, several more restrictive, drew a crowd of more than 60 to the Quabbin Visitor Center Monday night.
DCR proposals include ending night fishing on the reservoir, ending the one-day fishing license, ending geocaching and changing hunting regulations for off-reservation watershed land. Changes also are proposed for regulations for “walking on designated routes.”
Leo P. Roy, commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, told the crowd that some of the changes were proposed for the purposes of clarification, admitting he was unaware of the reasons for some current practices and was looking for answers.
Many of those present, anglers who fish the reservoir and those who hunt the Quabbin watershed beyond the gated boundaries of the reservation, questioned whether an attempt was being made to establish additional access restrictions without benefit of public comment.
Tony Brighenti, who represents the North Worcester County Quabbin Anglers Association on the advisory committee, told the commissioner the updated public access plan that the Quabbin Watershed Access Committee approved in October might need tweaking, but was acceptable as is.
“If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it,” he said.
State Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, said the crowd showed up on a Monday night because of fears that established rights were about to be taken away.
“You’re looking for an answer to a problem that doesn’t exist,” the senator told the commissioner.
She added, “We want people to come to Quabbin, people who enjoy it and respect it.”
Rob Roy of Hardwick told the commissioner there was a concern that DCR had already made changes without the benefit of comment from those who know the resource the best.
Mr. Roy said at the start of his remarks that there would be no changes to existing fishing and hunting access, and said DCR would take into account the comments made at the meeting as well as written comments submitted to DCR by the end of April.
“I’m here for an exchange of ideas, to find out why things are done and not done,” he said, deferring to explanations from advisory committee members and others present.
Bill Pula, retired Quabbin and Ware River Watershed regional director, and now a advisory committee, acknowledged that some regulations were not “perfectly logical,” explaining that over time they were the result of pressure from different groups with different interests.
Mr. Roy said his intent was to “get it right,” based on what he learned at the meeting, and to present any suggestions for changes to the updated access plan to the advisory committee at its June meeting.
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Sounds like by having representation at the meeting including a state senator the powers to be might be hesitant to make changes behind people's backs. Kudos to those of you that showed up! As twice past president of a nonprofit aquaculture association one thing I've learned is you need representation, and you need to be heard. And the more of you the better. As soon as you sit back and let things happen you may find things are done you're not happy with.
OTOH I don't know how many times I've been to federal meetings of alleged shareholders when it was obvious the feds had their minds made up and the open meetings were just protocol to get out of the way.
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Thank you Bait bucket for posting that. I'll be at Quabbin sometime in June. Maybe I'll see you there andI can say hello. I'll be looking for a guy in white! :D
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CT and mass both suck... Few more years im gone......
Yup. Same here.
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Yup. Same here.
Where to? If I had a choice it would be NH and still plan on moving there some day when the wife and I are ready. The only thing holding me back is the awesome salt fishery here in RI.
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Where to? If I had a choice it would be NH and still plan on moving there some day when the wife and I are ready. The only thing holding me back is the awesome salt fishery here in RI.
Vermont baby. The only state in the country where I can legally defend my weed crop with my guns - as it should be. Also Lake Champlain fishing. And their state fishing awards program blows every other one I’ve seen out of the water. Also, I personally dislike the general congestion of MA. I’m gonna get me a patch of land up in them there Vermont hills.
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Youll need the guns to defend against VT's drug problem. Highest useage per capita of any of the 50 states. The problem with heroine up there is noticeable everytime Ive visted. No state is perfect though...
Mike I am leaning towards Alaska personally. Maine is cool too. I was smart and avoided the societal pressure of home ownership so once my daughter is old enough I can go anywhere.
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I'll be at Quabbin sometime in June. Maybe I'll see you there andI can say hello. I'll be looking for a guy in white! :D
Message me when you are in the area, ill get you out in the boat.
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Mike I am leaning towards Alaska personally. Maine is cool too. I was smart and avoided the societal pressure of home ownership so once my daughter is old enough I can go anywhere.
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That's funny because Alaska is my first choice as well but I do not think the wife wants any part of that night vs day stuff lol. Once I can give up the salt I will make a move up north most likely NH or ME. I prefer all winter activities vs summer and love the cool weather much more than the melting heat. You can always put layers on but ya cant take your skin off when you feel like melting.
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Vermont baby. The only state in the country where I can legally defend my weed crop with my guns - as it should be. Also Lake Champlain fishing. And their state fishing awards program blows every other one I’ve seen out of the water. Also, I personally dislike the general congestion of MA. I’m gonna get me a patch of land up in them there Vermont hills.
Good luck on your quest up in the Vermont Hills. if you NEED guns to defend your crop maybe its not the best location after all. lol
I paid $50 for a box of 20 self defense 45's and the wife asked me why I needed the most expensive ones. I told her its the best investment I hope to never use.
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Funny you guys are talking bout leaving Mass and I have considered moving back from the midwest. Indiana to be specific. You might want to come out here to appreciate what you have. Out here many of the lakes are ringed with permanent houses next to each other right on the lakes, and then there is a perimeter road with another ring of permanent houses and many times another ring of houses after that.
A few are so congested they have been incorporated as towns such as this one:
(https://i.imgur.com/LOoab3Im.jpg)
And forget about lots of trees around the lakes like you have in Massachusetts. It's mostly manicured lawns treated with herbicides and pesticides to keep that lake lawn perfect like a golf course. Never mind that stuff ends up in the lakes. Then there's all the farmland that leeches into the inlets and ends up in the lakes.
And don't even get me started on how many of the lake residents consider the lake solely theirs and would love to have public access cut off.
I live 10 minutes from our biggest natural lake in the state and it's impossible to fish on weekends in the summer. I've been nearly hit by ski and jetskies, had my lines run over etc.etc. We used to have a 10 mph speed limit in the mornings and evenings to make it a level playing field for anglers but that disappeared years ago. Granted we do have some smaller lakes with speed restrictions. I've been told to just fish it on the weekdays. Why should I, and I do have to get work done during the week in my business!
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Funny you guys are talking bout leaving Mass and I have considered moving back from the midwest. You might want to come out here to appreciate what you have. Out here many of the lakes are ringed with permanent houses next to each other right on the lakes, and then there is a perimeter road with another ring of permanent houses and many times another ring of houses after that.
A few are so congested they have been incorporated as towns such as this one:
(https://i.imgur.com/LOoab3Im.jpg)
And forget about lots of trees around the lakes like you have in Massachusetts. It's mostly manicured lawns treated with herbicides and pesticides to keep that lake lawn perfect like a golf course. Never mind that stuff ends up in the lakes. Then there's all the farmland that leeches into the inlets and ends up in the lakes.
And don't even get me started on how many of the lake residents consider the lake solely theirs and would love to have public access cut off.
I left the Northeast years ago, Fishing was good. Miss only lil bit of saltwater, but I have no regrets. I would suggest keep going west! lol.
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You must be farther west than me -- Indiana.
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You must be farther west than me -- Indiana.
Colorado! Born and raised in Jersey.
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Made it out last night did not sound like much was getting answered until next meeting in a month. Stayed for a hour they talked a little on night fishing and someone told the commissioner that the fisherman and hunt are the eyes out there and he is trying to do things with out telling the people so who knows what is going to happen.
Think it is time to locate another night time fishing spot TO BAD.
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I say Alaska so I can have mega salmon hauls
(https://s7.postimg.org/tq0vomtuf/IMG_20180403_172628156.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/tq0vomtuf/)
(https://s7.postimg.org/slbex6zdz/IMG_20170820_112624804.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/slbex6zdz/)
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Just for those of you that are dreaming of Alaska: Its dark 24/7 a big part of winter up there IIRR. That gets old and for some people that suffer from SADS (Seasonal Affective Disorder Syndrome) from a lack of sunlight it can be devastating.
The guy that runs the Nahmakanta Lake Camp in Maine told my dad and I he had to move back to Maine as his wife couldn't take the darkness anymore.
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Ive run into the same lake issues in mass (try otis res in the summer) and its worse in CT. As for the SADS...summer is coming, I generally only fish for stripers at night which makes me quite happy (those summer nights are way too short). I also hear they have a plant for that ;)
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Ive run into the same lake issues in mass (try otis res in the summer) and its worse in CT. As for the SADS...summer is coming, I generally only fish for stripers at night which makes me quite happy (those summer nights are way too short). I also hear they have a plant for that ;)
Cmon John, you can only ice fish otis res. And even then there are usually so many nut jobs on quads and snowmobiles that its just as bad as the boats.
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When I first got my boat Id bring the girls up there with me. Not to fish though...just to hang out. I bet its a blast to fish early season...
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Found this on another Site.. Awesome info:
There's a Quabbin Fishing group on Facebook. Someone who was at the meeting said it went fairly well. Here are some bullet points he mentioned about the meeting.
The meeting went well and much respect to Commissioner Leo Roy for having open dialogue. His opening statement was that they are NOT going to restrict fishing or hunting access to the Quabbin.
As he stated, he wanted to hear from the folks who know better than anyone; those that are on the water daily. I was very happy to hear him say, that WE are the eyes and the best policing the Quabbin can have by being on the water and land.
He let us speak and was open to the idea that if we feel no changes needed to be made, then let it stay as it is. As one board member said "if it's not broke, then don't fix it." Applause followed that statement.
The Commissioner was very open that he was new to his position and wanted to learn and get some understanding/clarity of the verbiage that was in the current regulations in regard to the term "reservation" and "non reservation" land. He wanted to hear from the board members to gain that understanding.
Many thanks to the state legislators who attended and had the best interest of the anglers and hunters at the forefront. One even saying "The only way they'll close Quabbin is over my dead body."
Night fishing access was brought up. Currently that info which was removed from the DCR website, which gave the info/instructions on how to get that access, is going to be put back up for those that want to exercise that right to fish at night. They also wanted to gather some information from the state police to get an idea of how many folks in a season utilize that privilege.
The one day fishing license was also brought up and during the discussion, many board members and those in attendance, stated that they were highly in favor of keeping that, as many had relatives and friends who visit yearly and they take them out on the Quabbin for a day of fishing. Commissioner Roy, after hearing from folks, seemed to have gained an understanding as to why that should stay.
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Message me when you are in the area, ill get you out in the boat.
Wow thanks for the generous offer! I may do that.
I know you're primarily a coldwater angler probably in area 2? I've had a blast catching big sunfish in area 3. Used panfish jigs or a fly rod and they are large enough it's tough to reel them in. No one else seems to fish for them.
I asked by phone if I could bring my downriggers to put on a rental boat and was told no as they had to be steam cleaned. No problem with that, but the website says I can bring my own anchors? Wouldn't that be the same risk? Or maybe that info is outdated?
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Form for night fishing is back up on the site.
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Thanks Will I had to leave after an hour so was not sure what was going on with the night permit
hope to see you out there some time just printed my application
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Mine is going out in the morning... Will, will still get a lower number!
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It will be good if they get a flood of them thats for sure lol
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I'm going to send one in. They're going to go WTH Indiana?
:rotflol:
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Form for night fishing is back up on the site.
I can't find it :'( :'(
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I can't find it :'( :'(
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/04/04/quabbinnightaccesspermit2018_0.pdf
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Thanks taxid
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Got mine in today.. #7
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#6 for me!
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Number 8 and 9 low man this year
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I sent mine in within hours of it becoming available too. There must have been guys waiting at the visitor center that day to get passes lol
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No. 5. Sent mine in 3 days after it was available on their site:-)
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Just printed this out! Hoping to make it there this year. Thanks for the link!
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When I fish at night It is on the side of the ditch or throwing eels from the boat. Got my night pass for the Q the last 3 years. Used it 1 time in the 3 years. LOL
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my pass came today #31
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When I fish at night It is on the side of the ditch or throwing eels from the boat. Got my night pass for the Q the last 3 years. Used it 1 time in the 3 years. LOL
I have the same issue...