Chesterfield, MA Fishing: Intimate Rural Hill Town Fishing

Found in Hampshire County in the state of Massachusetts, Chesterfield is a rural hill town located between Northampton and Pittsfield to the east and west of Boston. It is bordered by Huntington and Westhampton on the south and southeast, Worthington on the west, Williamsburg on the east, Cummington on the north, and Goshen on the northeast. Its area is also a part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. It was named after the Earl of Chesterfield in England. The area was laid out in 1739 with the war veterans of King Philip and King William being granted sites in the town in 1740. In 1755, it was first settled and eventually became officially incorporated years later in 1762.

Chesterfield’s close-knit community feel offers a unique experience to people coming across the town for the first time as it’s surrounded by the natural beauty of a reserve, forests, hills and bodies of water scattered throughout, at the same time retaining Federal period architecture at the town center that has been established following the American Revolution. Additionally, landmarks and civic buildings showcase a Greek Revival style of construction. More of Chesterfield’s history can also be checked out at its museums or through the Chesterfield Historical Society. A geological and recreational destination, Chesterfield Gorge can be found in the town’s west where it features torrents of glacial meltwater flowing through metamorphic bedrock while being surrounded by oak, pine, and hemlock trees. The site is arguably Chesterfield’s most notable attraction, where people can explore, bike, hike, and do many other recreational activities, even angling.

Chesterfield Fishing

Being a town of a few people yet with so many areas to explore, Chesterfield is a great angling destination for those who want an intimate and peaceful experience. Most of the fishing done in the town is of the freshwater variety as its local waters are landlocked. Whether it’s onshore or offshore fishing, Chesterfield will be able to offer a great place for anglers to catch game, surrounded by the beauty of hills and forests.

To the west of Chesterfield, one can find Chesterfield Gorge which is shaped by the Westfield River’s east branch. The dramatic rock canyon acts as an entrance to an extensive natural area along the river, which is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. The river is known as a great catch and release fly fishing spot, especially for anglers targeting trout. The waters are clear and stay cool throughout the year, making it a good habitat for wild brown trout and brook trout to reproduce and holdover. The river is also stocked with trout as well as Atlantic salmon which cannot be kept once caught. Rainbow trout can also be found in the river’s mainstream along with holdover brown trout. To target native brook trout, find them in small stream headwaters. During the summer even though the water levels come down, deep pools can still hold plenty of trout. Westfield River’s entirety is good for either onshore fishing, wade fishing or angling via boat as its streams and branches hold an abundance of fish. Other species that can be found in the river are muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill and crappie. More great spots to fish by the river are at Bliss Pool south from River Road, Les’s Pool also south from River Road, and Rainbow Pool accessed from Indian Hollow.

Traveling from the town center on Main Road to the west, anglers can find Scout Pond which is a cool, flatwater lake great for those wanting to fish by boat as it has several boat launch areas. Its waters hold fish like shiners, chain pickerel, dink perch and slime dart. Ice fishing is popularly done in the lake’s waters during the colder months as well. It is situated within the Fisk Meadows Wildlife Management Area where anglers have another opportunity to catch game while being surrounded by a scenic forest area.

Down south anglers can fish from streams located near the Silvio O Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge and the Dead Branch State Forest. In Thayer Brook, species like smallmouth bass and black crappie can be caught while Baker Brook hosts fish like chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. Dead Branch Brook, which runs from Damon Pond in the north through Bisbee Mill into the state forest has brook trout and Atlantic salmon. Damon Pond hosts similar fish species including brook trout, brown trout, chain pickerel, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bream or bluegill as well as rock bass and white perch. The reservoir is another great fly fishing area though anglers can employ baitcasting or spinning techniques and still see good action.

Furthermore, flowing through the Chesterfield Gorge and Gilbert A. Bliss State Forest are many brooks and streams such as Jewel Brook, Oak Hill Brook, West Branch, Whiteside Brook, Rocky Brook, Holly Brook, and Chauncey Brook which all also contain wild rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout. 

In past years, Chesterfield has hosted a Youth Fishing Derby as well as an Ice Fishing Derby hosted by the Friends of Chesterfield organization and is usually held at the Chesterfield Four Seasons Club in Bisbee’s Pond.  

Top 10 Fish Species in Chesterfield, MA

The top 10 fish species found in Chesterfield, Massachusetts are brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, and crappie.

Seasonal Fishing

Before going angling in Chesterfield, it’s advisable to look up local fishing regulations and check for weather and water conditions to ensure compliance and safety. Because most local waters stay cool throughout the year, it makes it possible for good year-round trout fishing, especially in some waters stocked with the fish. The best time to catch the fish is early in the morning and just before it turns dark at dusk while the best season to target them is during late spring when the water gets a bit warmer and they grow larger. Atlantic salmon in landlocked waters have an open season all year round though there are daily bag limits or catch and release only rules in certain areas. Bass and perch species, walleye, muskellunge, and chain pickerel also possess the same criteria. The best months to target bass are from May to September.

Frolic Through the Forest in Chesterfield

Angling aside, Chesterfield is a fantastic place to visit when one wants to be surrounded by numerous natural landscapes or even unique combinations of architecture all concentrated within a relatively small town.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Being partly the home of the National Wild and Scenic River-designated Westfield River, there are many angling opportunities in Chesterfield that can be elevated by booking a fishing charter. Boat rental services are also available as well as bait and tackle shops around and nearby other fishing spots throughout the town.

2. Explore and Have Fun in Forests

Chesterfield possesses several nature reserves and state forests surrounding it including the Chesterfield Gorge, Dead Branch State Forest, Gilbert A. Bliss State Forest, Silvio O Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and Fisk Meadows Wildlife Management Area. These areas offer many other recreational activities that can either be done in the sun or snow. People can hike through the trails, go mountain biking through the forest, go camping, go swimming, go boating, do some limited hunting, and even do some cross-country skiing and sledding during the winter.

3. Get Into the Town’s Heritage

Aside from its natural offerings, Chesterfield also has several historical points of interest like the Bisbee Mill Museum and the Edwards Memorial Museum which are run by the Chesterfield Historical Society. The museums showcase agricultural and industrial exhibits as well as old and interesting artifacts such as household tools and equipment, pictures, dresses, old furniture, and more. People can also stroll through the town and appreciate the Federal Period and Greek Revival-style houses and buildings that have been well preserved since the late 1700s.