Fly Fishing Westfield River, Massachusetts

The Westfield River in Massachusetts runs towards the southwest from the Berkshire Hills, joining the Connecticut river just south of Springfield. It is a National Wild and Scenic River, with a number of rapids. The river is actively managed through the cooperation of local and state authorities, including stocking the river with trout.

  1. Location

    • The Westfield River flows through west central Massachusetts and merges with the Connecticut River in the town of West Springfield. It has three branches: East, Middle, and West. It originates in the Berkshire Hills and flows to the southeast. The river has several rapids, as well as ponds suitable for fly fishing. The total length of the river system is 78 miles.

    River Management and Access

    • The river is managed by the state and local authorities, including the Westfield River Watershed Association, established in 1953. Large parts of the river are accessible to fly fishermen. The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, division of Fisheries and Wildlife, maintains a program to track the trout in the river. When set out, the trout are tagged with a pink tag. Prizes are awarded when the fish are shown at a participating anglers club or business.

    Types of Fish

    • The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game stocks trout in all three branches of the Westfield River. It also stocks nearby lakes with salmon, although brown trout is the most likely catch in the Westfield River. According to the Department of Fish and Game, the Westfield River is among the best bets for brown and rainbow trout in Massachusetts, based on the track record from 1995 to 2005.

    Fly Fishing Areas

    • Trout fishing in the Westfield River is open year-round, but the bag limit increases to eight between April 1 and Sept. 10. All three branches of the river are open to fly fishing, but not the entire stretch of river. The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, maintains maps of the locations of fishing ponds open to the public during fishing season.

    Fishing License

    • Anyone under the age of 15 fishing in Massachusetts must have a fishing license. The licenses can be purchased online and from licensed vendors. There is a special youth license for those between 15 and 17. Included in the license is a wildland conservation stamp, used to fund conservation and purchase more land for fishing. The license is valid for one calendar year.