Fishing at Holden Reservoir Number Two, Worcester County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  In Massachusetts, Holden Reservoir Number Two belongs to Worcester County. It sits at 712 feet above sea level. Around 52 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The bank runs about 1.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Some 3.2 miles away sits Paxton, the nearest settlement. For a city, Worcester is 4.3 miles off. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Holden Reservoir Number Two

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Public occurrence data for Worcester County names bluegill, chain pickerel and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Read Holden Reservoir Number Two for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 69°F and January near 22°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near late December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Holden Reservoir Number Two.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. KinneyWoods takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Holden Reservoir Number One sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Signs at Holden Reservoir Number Two carry more weight than any list.