Also, Moodus Reservoir soon began producing trophy-class largemouth bass, fish in the 5- to 8-pound class. Today, it is one of the premier bass lakes in the state. In addition, fisheries managers enacted special bass regulations on 28 of its 125 public bass ponds.

Most of these special regulations are now five years old. Anglers should see the effects this season as Pickerel Lake, Bashan Lake, Mansfield Hollow Reservoir, Highland Lake, Pachaug Pond and Lake Saltonstall begin producing trophy largemouth bass.

Along with the newest bass plan lakes, Candlewood Lake in Danbury continues to showcase the state’s bass fishery. Tournament anglers have flocked to this lake for years, and it continues to produce largemouth and smallmouth bass in astonishing numbers.

While not a true bass management project, the fishery was enhanced by annual winter drawdowns. The drawdowns killed the shallow weeds, thereby clearing the shallow gravel spawning beds of emergent vegetation. Bass instantly responded.

Lake Housatonic is this year’s sleeper lake in the Nutmeg State. It has a history of producing numerous bass in the 3- to 5-pound class. Aiding in the development of this fishery was control of boater access. Anglers may only use cartop boats during the off-season because the main boat launch is closed from October through May. When Indian Wells State Park opens for the summer, bass boaters again have full access to the lake.

A Connecticut resident fishing license costs $20 for the season. Non-resident license fees are $40 for the season or $16 for a three-day permit. For more fishing information, call the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries Division at (860) 424-3475. For more trip-planning information, call (800) 282-6863.

MASSCHUSETTS

The largemouth bass is one of the Bay State’s most popular freshwater sport fish. It is common to almost all of the state’s lakes, ponds and rivers. Biologists and avid anglers have been stocking largemouth bass (legally or otherwise) in the Massachusetts waters since the late 1800s.

During this early management program, biologists simply transplanted adult bass from pond to pond. Then, in the early 1900s, the state maintained a bass hatchery and developed stocking programs for largemouth and smallmouth bass, paving the way for widespread liberation of bass fingerlings.

By the late 1960s, lake surveys in Massachusetts showed that bass populations were self-sustaining. This ended the active stocking programs. Today, as a result of over 120 years of bass management experience, anglers can expect some great fishing for the coming season.

Currently, angling regulations are relatively simplistic compared to some of the other New England states. Essentially, anglers are allowed to catch bass all year long with a size limit of 12 inches and a daily limit of five fish.

One of bass fishing’s greatest thrills is catching a lunker largemouth. Bass in the 5- to 6- pound class are fairly common throughout the state, according to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

To help anglers find the best action, the state is divided into five regions. Biologists suggest looking for trophy bass in the following lakes:

In the western part of the state, anglers should fare well in Onota Lake, Lake Buel and Goose Pond. In the Connecticut River Valley region, Congamond Lake, Hamilton Reservoir and Quabbin Reservoir are the top picks. The Connecticut River, which bisects the 54-mile-wide state, has also earned a reputation for producing quality fishing.

Anglers in the industrialized center of the state should find Quaboag Pond, Webster Lake and the A-1 Site to their liking. Northeast of Boston, expect quality fishing at Lake Cochituate, Saltonstall Lake and the Concord River. The picks southeast of Boston toward Rhode Island are Sabbatia Lake, Sampson Pond, Long Pond and Mashpee-Wakeby Pond.

A Massachusetts resident fishing license costs $27.50 for the season. Also, residents between the ages of 15 and 17 need an $11.50 junior fishing permit, and residents between the ages of 65 and 69 may purchase a senior citizen fishing license for $16.25. Non-resident license fees are $37.50 for the season or $23.50 for a three-day permit.

For more bass-fishing information, contact the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife at (617) 626-1590. For tourist information, call (800) 227-MASS.