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Massachusetts · Fishing
Blandford sits in the hill towns of western Massachusetts, and its fishing options reflect that terrain: cold, elevated water that holds trout well into the summer months when lowland rivers have warmed out.
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Blandford sits in the hill towns of western Massachusetts, and its fishing options reflect that terrain: cold, elevated water that holds trout well into the summer months when lowland rivers have warmed out. The centerpiece for anglers is the Westfield River Middle Branch, a fly fishing river running at around 1,200 feet elevation where brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout are all present. The gradient and pocket water here make it a moderate wade — manageable for someone who has spent time on moving water before, but not a stretch you want to stumble into in high runoff without wading staff and felt or studded soles. Beyond the river, Blandford has three stillwater options: Long Pond, Cochran Pond, and Beaver Pond, each suited to a different pace of fishing. If you want to work a fly rod on moving water and target multiple trout species in one outing, the Middle Branch is the obvious draw. If you are bringing kids or prefer spinning gear from a bank or small boat, the ponds give you quieter, more forgiving water. This is not a heavily trafficked fishing destination, which is part of the appeal.
The Westfield River Middle Branch holds brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. The three ponds — Long Pond, Cochran Pond, and Beaver Pond — are stillwater fisheries, and specific species data for those is not listed here, so check the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stocking reports before your trip to see what has been put in and when.
Yes. Any angler 15 or older needs a valid Massachusetts freshwater fishing license to fish any of these waters. Licenses are available through the MassFishHunt online portal or at local sporting goods retailers. The Westfield River Middle Branch may also have specific gear restrictions, so pull up the current MassWildlife regulations for the Westfield River drainage before you rig up.
Indian Hollow
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Westfield River - Middle Branch
~5 min drive
Moderate
Connecticut River - Holyoke Dam Tailwater
~28 min drive
Easy
Cochran Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Beaver Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Long Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Big Pond
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Big Pond
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Becket Historic Quarry
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Larkum Pond
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Chimney Corners Pond
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Upper Spectacle Pond
~16 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
The Middle Branch is rated moderate difficulty, meaning it has enough current and rocky structure to make wading a real consideration. A 9-foot, 4- or 5-weight fly rod covers most situations here. Bring wading boots with good grip, and a wading staff is worth having during spring flows. For the ponds, spinning gear with light line works well from shore or a small canoe or kayak.
Spring through early summer is the most productive window on the Middle Branch, when water temperatures are still cold and trout are actively feeding. The 1,200-foot elevation helps keep the river fishable later into summer than lower-elevation streams in the region. Fall can also be good, particularly for brown trout as they move ahead of spawning season. The ponds fish well from ice-out through spring and again in the fall.
Early morning and late afternoon are consistently the most productive windows on moving trout water, and that holds here. Midday fishing in summer can slow down as light increases and temperatures rise, though the elevation moderates that somewhat. On overcast days, trout on the Middle Branch will feed more opportunistically throughout the day.
