Wendell, MA Fishing: A Lovely Off-Grid Destination in Western Massachusetts

Wendell is a tiny rural spot on the edge of the Connecticut River Valley. It is situated within Franklin County and is fairly small, with less than a thousand residents. Before the English settled in the area in 1754, it was mainly used as a hunting and gathering area for many Algonquian peoples, such as the Squakheag, Nipmuc, Pocumtuc, and Abenaki tribes. It was officially incorporated in 1781, adapting the name Wendell, after the Bostonian Judge Oliver Wendell.

Much of Wendell’s development revolved around its forests and wood products. The English settlers cultivated its agricultural land and milled its vast forests. Today, Wendell is still known for its woodland areas and waterways.

Tourists visiting Wendell will find a pleasant off-the-beaten destination with plenty of opportunities for recreation out in nature, including camping, hiking, and other activities you can only enjoy in the great outdoors. The hill town is proud of its woodland and wetland areas and waterways, going out of its way to protect and conserve these places. It likewise provides easy access to even more channels around the surrounding counties, making it the ideal home base for any angler who wishes to fish and experience this side of Massachusetts.

Wendell Fishing

Like the rest of Massachusetts, Wendell is a destination where fishing is part of the daily culture and a way of life. Tourists might find the place quite small, but it does offer up productive fishing opportunities in spots and parks that are not as crowded as other New England game fishing destinations.

Wendell State Forest is a great place to start your Wendell fishing experience. This beautiful state forest is on a plateau west of the Quabbin Reservoir and south of the Millers River; it is filled with rolling hilly forests, trails, several streams, and two ponds. Ruggles Pond is the main fishing pond within the park. It covers 10 acres and is known for its crystal clear water. Apart from fishing, it also serves as a swimming pond. On the other hand, boaters can head to the small boat launch at Wickett Pond's northern end where they can use their boat, kayak ,or canoe.

Near the northern part of the forest, anglers can find the Millers River Wildlife Management Area and Millers River itself. The river is a catch-and-release only area divided into two sections. Guests can access the upper section running through the wildlife management area in Athol and Templeton. The lower part can be accessed within Orange, Erving, and Wendell. 

Because the water of Millers River stays cool enough in the spring and fall, it can support trout in either time of the year, particularly brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. Summers find the main river stem highly suitable for warm water fish such as smallmouth bass, rock bass, common shiner, bluegill, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish, and fallfish, with many of the trout swimming towards the deeper and cooler tributaries. 

From within Wendell, the catch-and-release area of the river can be accessed near the Rt. 2 Wendell Depot overpass. There you will find an unpaved parking spot for ten vehicles. As you travel down Wendell Depot Road, you will notice two more turn-offs that provide access. Note that fishing in the catch-and-release area requires artificial lures only. You cannot use live bait such as worm or shiner, cheese, corn, and fish eggs.  

A few minutes outside Wendell, anglers can fish in the lovely Lake Wyola State Park, likewise known as the Carroll A. Holmes. Recreation Area. Its resident lake is a great spot to catch stocked brook trout and rainbow trout. Other species anglers can find in the lake include chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, golden shiner, white sucker, brown bullhead, banded killifish, and fallfish. It is a year-round fishing destination but gets the most pressure from April to June. It is quite a popular ice fishing destination for chain pickerel and trout.

In the nearby town of Erving, anglers can experience productive fishing opportunities in Laurel Lake, a Great Pond that can be accessed within Erving State Forest. The forest itself is a favorite outdoor recreation space for many locals. The lake gets quite crowded during the summer with swimmers. The lake has an acidity problem, especially in the spring and winter, so it can only hold stocked brook trout more tolerant of acidic water. Rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked in the lake during fall, depending on the lake's pH level during the season. While it holds some largemouth bass and chain pickerel, they are not as plenty as one would hope due to lack of cover and clear water. Other game fish anglers can find in the lake are bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and American eel.

Top 10 Fish Species in Wendell, MA

The top 10 fish species in Wendell, MA, are rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, chain pickerel, bluegill, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, and fallfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Like the rest of  Western Massachusetts, Wendell offers year-round fishing, but it's a specially perfect fishing location in spring and fall when many of its lakes and reservoirs are stocked with trout. Year-round trout fishing is still possible in some waterbodies, especially if they remain cold or have cool tributaries such as the Millers River. Spring is the month to target stocked brook trout, while fall is the best time to aim for brown and rainbow trout. Ice fishing for chain pickerel can be fun in the location, with the frozen Lake Wyola waters the ice angler's best option.

Fall in Love with the Great Outdoors in Wendell

Wendell is known for its independent spirit and love for its forests and farms. Visit this part of Franklin County and discover a new off-the-beaten spot that you’ll find yourself coming back to every year.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Get the services of a local fishing guide to make the most of your fishing trip in a new place. Under the guidance of a guide, you can get a masterclass in fishing while staying safe and relatively comfortable.

2. Immerse in Nature

The Fiske Pond Conservation Area exemplifies Wendell's commitment to nature conservation; this breathtaking outdoor recreation property is located on permanently protected land. It is home to numerous wildlife species such as moose, deer, spotted turtle, kingfisher, beaver, and the great blue heron. The park has many hiking trails, as well as facilities to enjoy other activities such canoe- and kayak-riding and horseback riding. Camping, fires, hunting, fishing, trapping, and using motorized vehicles are prohibited in the park.

3. Visit Farm Stands

Visiting Wendell's family-run farms and farm stands is a great way to immerse in the local food and culture. Some of the best you can visit on a day trip from the city include Diamond Farm and Fallen Oak Farm. Here you can enjoy organic food, free-range poultry, and more.