Huntington, MA Fishing: Nature-Bound Small Town Fishing

Huntington is located to the west of Massachusetts, in Hampshire County. Towns in Hampden County border its western and southern parts. It is also within the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. Before it was incorporated on March 5, 1855, it was initially called Plantation Number 9 by the Court of Massachusetts Bay. Later on, it was named Norwich as it was assembled from pieces of surrounding townships. The town was named after its architect and benefactor, Northampton attorney Charles Huntington.

With lakes, rivers, ponds, trails, and even state parks, the humble town of Huntington offers numerous charming landscapes throughout its area. One can enjoy a relaxing day by the water or explore the rolling Berkshire foothills. People who come to Huntington can also enjoy picnicking among and under verdant trees at C.M. Gardner State Park, hiking through routes like the East Branch Trail, canoeing and kayaking through scenic waterways well as hunting. In the bustling south area of the town, one can immerse themselves in the community and explore its various offerings like restaurants, specialty stores, and even visit the Huntington Public Library and Hillgate Park. The Westfield River runs through Huntington for anglers, dotted with brooks, ponds, reservoirs, and lakes, making it suitable for nature-bound fishing.

Huntington Fishing

Tons of waterways flow through and are dotted throughout Huntington, so whether onshore or offshore fishing, the town will pull through while providing excellent scenery all around. 

Running through Huntington along U.S. Route 20 is the Westfield River. Its lower part meets up with the West Branch in the southern part of the town in the village of Huntington. The three branches of the river are considered ‘Wild and Scenic’ federally protected waters as they offer panoramic mountain views. A river is a great place for trout fishing, with over 40 miles of the species found in just its branches that are clear and stay cool all year. Wild brook trout and brown trout are abundant throughout its waters, but the main river is also stocked with fish and holds plenty of holdover trout. It’s also known as a great fly fishing river. Other species found in its waters include rainbow trout, tiger trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, channel catfish, common carp, yellow perch, brown bullhead, bluegill, golden shiner, Atlantic salmon, white perch, and walleye. Bank anglers have miles of access, but boat anglers can also launch their vessels from the south boat ramp.  A gravel pullover also has fishing and paddleboat access near Goss Hill Road Bridge on 1 Stage Road. Below the Knightville Dam, the river’s section is entirely tailwater stocked with trout and has a significant population of holdover rainbow trout and brown trout. The area can also produce trophy-size trout for fly fishers. Water levels in the West Branch fall during the summer, but deep pools can still hold trout.

Another great spot to target trout is Littleville Lake which is mainly in the town of Chester, but there is access from Huntington through the South Boat Ramp off 44 Goss Hill Road, which can handle almost any watercraft. Species such as yellow perch, brown bullhead, golden shiner, white sucker, redbreast sunfish, chain pickerel, rainbow smelt, and pumpkinseed can also be found in its waters, along with stocked rainbow trout and brown trout. It’s a great paddling spot for drift fishers and a great place to go ice fishing during the winter, the main target being brown trout. The southeast and northwest areas of the lake do not allow for shore fishing. 

Knightville Reservoir, situated in the midwest of the town, is another good trout fishing area as it’s stocked with them during the spring. Anglers who double as avid hunters can also target stocked pheasants during the fall. The main species found in its waters are rainbow trout, tiger trout, striped bass, and largemouth bass. It links with the East Branch of the Westfield River, considered the best fly fishing among the other branches. Seven miles of it is for catch and release fishing only. Like different river sections, it holds plenty of wild and stocked trout.

There is Norwich Pond in the east for those who want a change in scenery from fishing surrounded by rugged mountains. The naturally occurring pond is enclosed with homes and woods, providing a relaxing fishing experience. Its waters are stocked with rainbow trout and brown trout as well, and it hosts other species such as largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, black crappie, pumpkinseed, bluegill, brown bullhead, golden shiner, white sucker, and rock bass. Those staying in Camp Norwich can access the pond through the beach area to its north. A dirt and gravel boat ramp can be accessed through Wrightway Road. Anglers can also fish from the wetlands area where Pond Brook connects with the pond in the south.

Top 10 Fish Species in Huntington, MA

The top 10 fish species in Huntington, Massachusetts are brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, and black crappie.

Seasonal Fishing

Most of the fishing done in Huntington is to target trout. Most local waterways are stocked with trout annually. The best seasons to catch them are during the spring and fall when they’re newly put in the waters. April and May are the peak months to fish for stocked trout, but because local waters maintain cool temperatures, both wild and stocked trout can be caught all year. This also goes for the rest of the freshwater species found in Huntington, like bass, perch, and chain pickerel. Bass are most active during the spring and fall. It's recommended to target bass during dusk and dawn as they feed. In cooler months, midday is the best time to catch them. Perch can be caught throughout the year, but the best period is late summer to early spring. They are found in shallower waters when warm and deep areas when cold. Winter fishing in Huntington also produces good catches of brown trout and chain pickerel as they’re popular targets for ice fishing. 

Explore Nature in Huntington, MA

With so many diverse landscapes in the small town of Huntington, it’s easy to be one with nature when one finds the opportunity to explore its many offerings.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

As many waterways run through Huntington, fishing has placed itself among the top activities people must do when they visit. Book a fishing charter so local guides can help navigate local waters and share the best spots to catch fish. 

2. Riverside Respite

C.M. Gardner State Park offers visitors a relaxing time by the Westfield River while providing the chance to explore the rolling foothills of the Berkshire Mountains. People can go hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding along its trails, canoe or kayak through the river, and even hunt. To the west side of the river, people can go cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during the winter. 

3. Hiking in Huntington

Huntington offers multiple routes and trails for those who want to explore the area on foot. People can hike along the East Branch Trail and enjoy the riverside view or even explore the Huntington State Forest, which offers the chance to appreciate various native and wild flora and fauna. A great trail called Stevens Property Trailhead offers a great looped course of a fertile and scenic swamp area.