Old Reservoir, Massachusetts: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  The Worcester County entry here is Old Reservoir, in Massachusetts. It lies 938 feet above sea level. Roughly 37 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Barre is the closest town at 2.2 miles. The nearest city of size is Worcester, 21 miles away. Others worth noting: Gaston Pond within 1.4 miles, Wax Factory Pond at about 2 miles, Williamsville Pond within 2.3 miles, Connor Pond at about 3.1 miles and Brown Pond within 4.3 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Old Reservoir

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Reported across Worcester County: bluegill, chain pickerel, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Old Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 20°F to 68°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. After early April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Open water usually runs from early April until about mid December. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Old Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Part of this sits inside or beside Prince River Preserve, so read the notices. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Gaston Pond at 1.4 miles is the sensible second choice. For Old Reservoir, the notice at the access point is the final word.