Phillipston Reservoir Fishing Guide, Worcester County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Within Worcester County, Massachusetts, you have Phillipston Reservoir. The surface lies 1,047 feet up. Small at around 17 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It sits higher than most water we list in Massachusetts. Start from Athol, 2.8 miles down the road. For a city, Worcester is 29 miles off. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Phillipston Reservoir

  It is mapped as marsh, which means soft margins, thick growth and limited open water. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Public occurrence data for Worcester County names bluegill, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow bullhead. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Phillipston Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 20°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. On average, early April opens the water and mid December closes it again. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. At Phillipston Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Reservoir Number One is 0.6 miles distant. Ask locally about Phillipston Reservoir if anything is unclear.