Chester, MA Fishing: A Chronicled Gem Between the Berkshires

Known as ‘Gem of the Valley’, Chester is a town situated in Western Massachusetts within Hampden County. The town, placed on the eastern edge of the Berkshires foothills, makes up the northwest corner of the county. The towns of Huntington, Worthington and Middlefield, Becket, and Blandford border it on the east, north, west and south respectively. Within its area, there is also the village of Chester, a census-designated place that along with the town is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. 

In the 1750’s, Chester’s area was opened for settlement and was then called Township No. 9. On October 31, 1765, the Massachusetts General Court incorporated it as Murrayfield. Following constant confusion with the nearby town of Myrifield, also spelled Merryfield, the community put forward a petition to change its name to Fairfield. On February 21, 1783, the General Court instead chose the name Chester. Chester has a proud history of serving as a home to the industries that produce granite and emery. The Chester Historical Society is also in charge of many other historic points of interest in the town including the Chester Railway Museum and the Chester Factory Village Historic District. Additionally, the town is the home of the Chester Theater Company which was co-founded by Irish actor Vincent Dowling who frequented performing in the White House when Ronald Reagan was president. The tranquil little community also possesses several natural attractions due to its location in the valley between the Berkshires. One can find the Chester-Blandford State Forest in the area where they can do various recreational activities, including angling.

Chester Fishing

Due to its placement in Western Massachusetts, Chester’s fishing scene is mostly landlocked and for anglers looking to target freshwater species either inshore or offshore. Its serene feel and landscape live up to its title as ‘Gem of the Valley’, offering anglers looking for respite in an idyllic fishing area on the East Coast.

The most popular place to start one’s angling adventure in Chester is at the Chester-Blandford State Forest, which is a publicly-owned forest located southeast of the town. The site is the home of Sanderson Brook Falls, a 60-foot waterfall that is a popular tourist attraction. Nearby, anglers can fish in the Westfield River which where the town drains its water along with the river’s many tributaries. Fish found in the river include 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. The river’s watershed in the upper reaches also contains coldwater species such as brook trout, slimy sculpin and longnose dace while the lower mainstem acts as a spawning habitat for migratory fish like American shad, blueback herring, and sea lamprey. The state-endangered lake chub can also be found in the river’s upper reaches. Parts of the river are for catch and release fishing only. Anglers looking to fish at its reservoir can find similar species plus fish like rock bass, white sucker and American eel. Whether one is angling from the banks or from a boat, techniques like fly fishing, baitcasting and spinning are effective ways to hook fish from the river. Westfield River has been deemed a great trout fishing spot with tagged fish regularly stocked in its waters as well as having rugged mountain scenery.

Another great fishing spot is Littleville Lake which can be found to the east of Chester. The coldwater lake has good water quality and great transparency, perfect for freshwater angling. It’s another place where trout can thrive along with species such as yellow perch, brown bullhead, golden shiner, white sucker, redbreast sunfish, chain pickerel, rainbow smelt, and pumpkinseed. Trout are also stocked in the lake every spring and fall. Though bass fishing in the lake is less than ideal, it’s still possible to catch them in the lake. During the winter, anglers can go ice fishing with brown trout being the main target. Shore fishing is restricted to the southeast and northwest but anglers can opt for offshore angling using the large public boat ramp the lake has.

Further to the town’s west anglers can come upon Horn Pond where there is also great trout fishing as it’s also stocked with them. The pond also supports a good panfish and largemouth bass fishery. Chain pickerel, as well as yellow perch, also provide great ice fishing action. Bullhead and carp populations are also abundant in the pond at a certain time of the year. The Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program has recognized Horn Pond’s yellow perch and tiger trout that meet the minimum size to be noted by the program. Anglers can fish by the shore or by boat as there is a boat launch area to the south near the water pumping station. 

Chester also possesses several brooks that host a variety of freshwater fish previously mentioned. Riddled throughout the town, streams such as Factory Brook, Otis Wait Brook, Spark Brook, West Branch Walker Brook, and Cushman Brook are among those that have fish like trout, bass, catfish, American shad, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, sunfish, salmon, American eel as well as northern pike, mirror carp, and bowfin. Other local waters in the town hold similar if not the same species. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Chester, MA

The top 10 fish species found in Chester, Massachusetts are brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, common carp, yellow perch, and channel catfish. 

Seasonal Fishing

As most of Chester’s waters are stocked with trout, anglers can target them all year round with the restocking seasons of spring and fall the best time to find an abundance of the fish. Fishing for panfish and bass also prove to be productive throughout the year though the best bass fishing is done in late spring or during the summer evenings. The same goes for bullhead and carp. During the winter, great targets include chain pickerel, yellow perch and brook trout which can withstand cooler temperatures. To catch catfish, it’s best to target them from late March to early May. Fishing for salmon, American shad, northern pike and walleye are open anytime of the year but they have daily creel limits. The open season for smelt is from January to February and from May to December. Anglers might also have luck fishing for pumpkinseed and bluegill anytime of the year even in cooler months as they like cold waters. Anglers are urged to look up local fishing regulations before venturing to fish in Chester’s waters. 

Leisure in the Valley in Chester

Many areas in Chester provide opportunities for recreation, relaxation and even education aside from fishing. Its mountain valley location offers picturesque landscapes that act as a backdrop for visitors having fun in the town.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Chester is the site of numerous fishing spots that are abundant with game, so booking a fishing charter is easy and at times recommended so anglers make the most of their fishing trips in the town. Boat rentals, as well as bait and tackle shops, can also be found near angling areas.

2. Learn About Local History

Chester doesn’t only offer natural attractions but also has a rich history evident by the Chester Factory Village Historic District, the Chester Railway Station and Museum and the Chester Theater Company. The historic district is filled with the old Chester Factories that date back to the 1800s when the community took part in numerous industries. In 1989, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The railway station and museum will transport visitors back in time when the area was used as a rest stop by the Western Railroad in the 1800s. The theater company still holds various productions during the summer at Chester Town Hall.

3. Do More Fun Things in Nature

Anglers wanting to spend time out of the water can do other activities at Chester-Blandford State Forest which is a great area for hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, hunting, horseback riding, and swimming. During the winter, one can even go cross-country skiing and snowmobiling at the park. People can also visit the beautiful Sanderson Brook Falls.