Book Your Fishing Charter in Chester, MA

Nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires, Chester is a town located in Western Massachusetts in Hampden County. It is also known as ‘Gem of the Valley’ because of its natural beauty amongst rugged mountainous landscapes. Anglers keen to do freshwater fishing will find Chester a great place to visit, as most of its waters are abundant with native species and stocked with fish. 

Chester’s climate bodes well for coldwater fish that freely swim in local waters, but that doesn’t mean warmer months get less action. Local waters provide games all year round, so you’ll still be able to hook game whenever you visit. This town is great for anglers looking for respite in a close-knit community while basking in scenic views.

Chester Fishing: A Freshwater Fishing Gem

Because of its location in Western Massachusetts, Chester's fishing scene is mostly landlocked and for avid freshwater anglers either wanting to do some inshore or offshore fishing. Most of the town's nearby waters are stocked with trout, making Chester an excellent destination for coldwater anglers. 

The most accessible place to start your fishing trip in Chester is the Chester-Blandford State Forest which possesses many brooks, streams, and the Westfield River. In the river, you'll find fish like brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, calico bass (black crappie), brown bullhead, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, yellow perch, golden shiner, Atlantic salmon, white perch and walleye. Brook trout, slimy sculpin, and longnose dace abound in the upper reaches. At the same time, the lower mainstem acts as a spawning habitat for migratory fish like American shad, blueback herring, and sea lamprey. You can find the state-endangered lake chub in the higher parts of the river. Anglers can catch comparable species, as well as rock bass, white sucker, and American eel. Parts of the river are for catch and release fishing only. 

If you head to the east of the town, you'll find Littleville Lake, which is another excellent freshwater angling spot because of its good water quality and excellent transparency. It's another place where you can find trout thriving along with species such as yellow perch, brown bullhead, golden shiner, white sucker,  redbreast sunfish, chain pickerel, rainbow smelt, and pumpkinseed. Going west, you'll come upon Horn Pond, which is similarly filled with trout and offers excellent fishing. It also supports a good panfish and largemouth bass fishery. Chain pickerel, yellow perch, bullhead, and carp can also be found in the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program-recognized lake.

Small streams and brooks in Chester are likely to have fish like trout, bass, catfish, American shad, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, sunfish, salmon, American eel, as well as northern pike, mirror carp, and bowfin. Factory Brook, Otis Wait Brook, Spark Brook, West Branch Walker Brook, and Cushman Brook are among those that have trout, bass, catfish, American shad, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed.   

Nature and History in Chester

1. Other Recreational Activities in Nature

If you want to spend time out of the water to do other activities but still be surrounded by nature, go to Chester-Blandford State Forest, which offers numerous fun things like hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, hunting, etc., horseback riding, and swimming. If you visit during the winter or when it snows, you can even go cross-country skiing and snowmobiling at the park. You can also visit and admire the beautiful Sanderson Brook Falls.

2. Go Back in Time

Chester is home to numerous historical landmarks for those interested in local history, including the Chester Factory Village Historic District, the Chester Railway Station and Museum, and the Chester Theater Company. Visiting the sites can transport you back in time as early as the 1800’s when the town was bustling with industries still retained and recorded until today.