Baldwinville, MA Fishing: Suburban Fishing in the New England Region

Visit Baldwinville for its peaceful yet exciting inshore and offshore freshwater fishing.

Baldwinville, MA Fishing: Suburban Fishing in the New England Region
Baldwinville, MA Fishing: Suburban Fishing in the New England Region
Team Guidesly

October 5, 2021, 7 min read

Updated on October 4, 2021

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Located in the town of Templeton in the state of Massachusetts, Baldwinville is a census-designated place and an unincorporated village within Worcester County. It is one of four villages in Templeton with the other three being Otter River, East Templeton and Templeton Center. The village along with the others is governed by the Templeton Board of Selectmen. The origin of its name comes from the local post office and railroad station. The entirety of the town Baldwinville is situated in was settled by military soldiers and their families who were promised lands in the area after a war against Narragansett Indians which ended in 1657. The lands that were promised were granted and settled in 1728 and 1733, over half a century later after the war ended.

According to recent research from US Census statistics, Baldwinville is the top place in Massachusetts with the lowest cost of living. Many of the village’s population is made up of retirees due to its ideal offerings of safety and low price in real estate with most residents owning their own homes. Its sparse suburban feel provides a homey and calming effect to both locals and visitors. The fishing community generally in the state is a passionate one so Baldwinville is no exception. The village offers a few fishing opportunities for anglers looking for a relaxed and congenial fishing experience within the New England area.

Baldwinville Fishing

Baldwinville may not be that large of a place, but anglers can still find a few places that will satisfy their fishing needs. Because the village is landlocked, most fishing done there is of the freshwater variety. Anglers can find several bait and tackle shops around the village as well as boat rental services and some fishing charters. Inshore and offshore fishing can be done in the village, whether anglers want to do it from the banks or by boat.

One of the most popular places to fish in Baldwinville is at Otter River State Forest which also offers other activities such as camping, cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and swimming. Beaman Pond can be found in the park’s west and the most common fish caught there is the largemouth bass. Anglers wanting to do some simple baitcasting and spinning will find the pond a suitable spot to do some relaxing fishing. The pond also offers roped swimming areas that can be used by children. The area surrounding the pond is generally considered swampy and some areas of its waters are covered in vegetation, making it a great place for certain species to settle in. The state forest is also the home of Otter River which is annually stocked with trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and dace. Bass and trout are regularly caught by ice fishing during its most productive seasons in the spring and winter.

To the north of Otter River State Forest is Lake Dennison which is known for its great trout fishing as it is stocked annually. It is a great inshore and offshore fishing spot where anglers can catch a variety of fish such as largemouth bass, rainbow trout, chain pickerel, brook trout, yellow perch, brown trout, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, black crappie, or calico bass, bluegill, and white perch. The lake’s recreation area also offers camping opportunities as well as a swimming beach. Non-motorized boats, canoes, and kayaks are allowed for use in the lake as there are boat ramps available. Those who have trailers and RVs are also allowed to park around the area. Aside from the usual baitcasting and spinning, jigging is commonly done in the lake. Anglers who don’t have boats can still see some productive fishing as fish can be readily found near the shoreline. On the lake’s park side opposite where the campground is located, anglers will have a good chance of hooking some bass. During the cooler seasons, Lake Dennison is also a great place to do some ice fishing.

Another great fishing spot in Baldwinville is Depot Pond which is located in the northeast. Anglers can also either opt for inshore fishing or fishing by boat in the pond as a boat ramp is accessible at the end of Edgar Street. Fish species that have been caught in the pond include bream or bluegill, sunfish, largemouth bass, catfish, pumpkinseed, panfish, crappie, pickerel, perch, and bullhead. The pond offers anglers a peaceful fishing escapade as the water tends to be flat all the time. In July, weeds are abundant so it’s important to keep that in mind as anglers would need to adapt to fishing with vegetation. 

Baldwinville is peppered with several small fishing spots which can be great for those who just want to do some casual fishing. Day Millpond, Flis Pond Dam, Mud Pon, Bedmand Pond, Beaman Brook, Norcross Hill Brook, and Otter River Day are some of the areas where anglers can catch similar species of fish that are already listed including white perch, white catfish, and warmouth. The area offers not just baitcasting and spinning but fly fishing and trolling opportunities as well.

 

Top 10 Fish Species in Baldwinville, MA

The top 10 fish species found in Baldwinville, Massachusetts are largemouth bass, rainbow trout, chain pickerel, brook trout, yellow perch, brown trout, black bullhead, pumpkinseed, black crappie and bluegill.

Seasonal Fishing

With some fishing spots in Baldwinville stocked with trout, anglers can fish for them all-year round but the best time to do so is during late spring when it’s close to the time of restocking. An important thing to note is that there are daily limits for trout possession. Species like bass, chain pickerel, and other freshwater fish can also be caught all year with a daily creel limit. All anglers are allowed up to five hooks through the ice at a time when doing ice fishing. March and April are the best months to target bass as this is when the ice covering bodies of water slowly melt away. Pumpkinseed and bluegills can interbreed with each other during the spawning season which occurs during late spring to late summer. Fishing for catfish is viable throughout the year with an hour before sunset until two hours after sunrise the best time to target them during the spring, summer, and fall. During the winter, it’s best to hook them from late morning until just before sunset. Fishing for crappie is best done in spring while perch are preferably fished for during late winter and early spring. Before visiting Baldwinville for an angling adventure, it’s advisable to look up local fishing regulations and catch, release and bag limits, and check for weather and water conditions.

 

Familiarize Yourself with Baldwinville's Locale

Baldwinville can be seen as a paragon of a New England residential area due to its welcoming and homey atmosphere. But the village offers more than just an idyllic peaceful place to live in.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Even though it’s a small village, Baldwinville offers a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers. Fishing charters, boat rental services as well as bait and tackle shops can be found throughout the area. 

2. Learn About the Village’s History

The place is home to Baldwinville Village Historic District which covers Baldwinville’s historic elements through a 19th-century mill village. It can be found north of Templeton, extending along Elm Street and Baldwinville Road, being roughly linear in shape. The district was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 because it has retained civic and housing structures of a certain period despite largely losing some industrial elements due to floods, fire, and the Great New England Hurricane of 1938.

3. Recreation Surrounded by Nature

Plan a trip to go to Otter River State Forest which is a very popular destination to visit during the summer or maybe just for a day trip. Fishing, camping, cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and swimming can be done in the preserve.

Fish in Baldwinville and beyond.