Conference wahoo::fishing

    The MDC number is (413) 323-7221. I went there (Gate 8) last Sat
    and they were still renting boats. Together with parking it was
    $31.00. The fishing was real slow. I caught 3 bass early in the
    morning and the rest of the day was slow. The MDC guy there said
    it was that way for everyone. A few bass were caught and only 1
    salmon which was too small to keep. I can think of better ways to
    spend the money. But I still go hopin' to hook a decent salmon,
    laker or mungo monster bass.
     
    Steve

RE:                      <<< Note 1247.0 by CNTROL::SALMON >>>

>                           -< Quabbin rental info? >-


Call information (if you can get thru) and ask for the MDC office in Belchertown
for Quabbin info.   I'm sure they are still renting this time of year, but you'd
better check if they are still doing it during the week.  Weekends  shouldn't 
be a problem.

If you are going out of Gate 43 (area 3) in Hardwick, you can take 

	. Rt 9 west past Brookfield to Rt 32A (I'm almost positive this is the 
	  route).  It is  very sharp right hand turn off of Rt 9 at the bottom
	  of a hill, towards New Braintree.

	. Go straight for a few miles till you cross a bridge over a river and
	  you get to a small intersection and a fork in the road, bear left
	  on the Cumberland Farms side of the fork, and continue straight.
	
	. a  few more miles you get to Hardwick Center, with a "common" island
	  on the right, and green thingamajigs on the left (used for cattle or
	  something.  

	. Go LEFT at Hardwick center.  You should see a sign on the corner for
	  Gate 43 / Area 3 Quabbin.

	. Another few miles down a small winding road, and you'll see the gate
	  on your right, next to a sand parking lot.

I know there's another way from Worcester via 122 thru Barre, but I don't 
remember the details.

/Ken

    Hello,
    
    When renting a boat at Quabbin, is it wize to get there at a certain
    time in the morning? Do they typically rent them out by a certain hour, 
    for example, is it unrealistic to get a boat on a Saturday or Sunday 
    because of the demand, or are you pretty safe if you get there by...say
    6:30. I've never fished Quabbin so any info would be greatly
    appreciated! 
    
    Also, are there constraints around boat rentals such as "only 2 people 
    in the boat" that I should know about before heading out there this spring. 
    ( I usually go out with two other guys )
    
    Thanks,
    -David

    
             dave
                 the quabbin opens around the middle of april, and closes
              around october. i've never had a problem with lack of boats
              avalible. all rentals are 14ft v hauls with a 6 hp. i think
              last year it cost $27.00 for a boat all day 6:00am to 7:00pm.
    
                    a GREAT place for smallmouth is out of gate 43
               out of hardwick. 
    
                                             hope this helps
    
                                                       kiv

    
    Dave, I have a different opinion. If you go on a weekend (early in the 
    season) I would get there very early. You will be waiting in line most
    likely. It probably has to do with what gate you go to too. What gate
    are you going to use? 

    My past experience indicates that they have both 4 and 6 hp motors on
    their boats with 3 gallons of gas. So if its going to be a long day
    for you I would keep an eye on the gas.


    Rich 

    
    I'm not sure at this point what gate I'm going to use. I recently
    bought a Quabbin map and I thought I'd talk it up with you guys
    first to see which gate and what areas tend to attract the most
    action.
    
    Quabbin is so big....it's not like surveying a pond or Lake for
    good spots, I figure it will take a long while to get to KNOW it.
    Any tips on where to try would be GREAT!
    
    Thanks,
    -David

    
    
      gate 43 out of hardwick...great smallie action. try out by schoolhill
      and the baffledam,and the southworth area.
    
                                                  kiv

	I will be heading out to Quabbin this weekend.  How has the fishing
	been in the past week or so ??  What has eveyone been catching & with
	what ?  Are the smallmouth still hitting by gate 43 ??

	Thanks for the info...

	-Joe

re:  <<< Note 1247.8 by FERVOR::LEZON "What are we all doing here anyway?!?!" >>>

>	I will be heading out to Quabbin this weekend.  How has the fishing
>	been in the past week or so ??  What has eveyone been catching & with
>	what ?  Are the smallmouth still hitting by gate 43 ??

	It has been feast or famine out of Gate 43.  Salmon seem to hit a lot
	more on calm, dark days.  Mainly on gold or silver spoons with some
	orange on em, or a try trolling a crankbait.  A friend has caught some 
	good smallmouth in the bowl area near the dike and barrels, same area 
	for salmon.  If it's windy, it could be a slow day...  Not much news
	on lakers...

	/Ken