Fishing Colebrook River Lake in Hampden County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Hampden County in Massachusetts is where Colebrook River Lake sits. It sits at 666 feet above sea level. At 845 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Size puts it in the front rank of our Hampden County list. You are 7.4 miles from Winsted. After that come Barkhamsted at 9.7 miles and Winchester Center at 9.9 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Colebrook River Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Reported across Hampden County: bluegill, white sucker and pumpkinseed. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Treat Colebrook River Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 21°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. That is the shape of the year on Colebrook River Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is a launch about half a mile from the bank. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. The nearest alternative is Victory Lake, 1.5 miles out. Confirm before you fish Colebrook River Lake.