Fishing at Pine Hill Reservoir, Worcester County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Worcester County, Massachusetts, is where Pine Hill Reservoir sits. The land about it is rolling bush. About 336 acres, so local knowledge or a boat saves a lot of walking. You are looking at roughly 4.9 miles of shoreline, with plenty of water between access points. On our Worcester County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest town is Rutland, 2.3 miles away. Paxton is 2.5 miles away, with Holden at 2.7 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Pine Hill Reservoir

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. County-wide records name bluegill, chain pickerel, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Pine Hill Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 69°F, the coldest about 22°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about late December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan around that when you fish Pine Hill Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Streeter Pond at 0.8 miles is the nearest alternative. What applies at Pine Hill Reservoir may have changed since it was mapped.