Another popular area to fish is along Ipswich Road in Topsfield (which turns into Topsfield Road in Ipswich). This portion offers wade- and bank-fishing. Park along the road or in the Bradley Palmer State Park lot.

CENTRAL REGION

Central Massachusetts holds its own when it comes to quality trout streams. The Nissitisset River travels from the New Hampshire border down to the Nashua River in Pepperell. It boasts Massachusetts’ first designated fly-fishing-only area, nearly two miles of water managed under catch-and-release regulations.

This area begins at the state line and runs to the first downstream bridge at Prospect Street. Access is available from Brookline Road above Pepperell center and from North Street for the lower section. A popular access is along Brookline Street at the Henry Colombo Wildlife Management Area. There is a gated path that forks and leads anglers up- or downstream.

The Squannacook River is another Massachusetts stream that has something for everyone. From freestone headwater brookies to deep meadow pools holding huge browns, the river boasts a great forage base, easy access and plenty of public land to explore.

The section of river from Vose Dam in West Groton up to Harbor Pond in Townsend is a popular stretch because it is easy to get to and both banks are owned by the state.

This is part of the Squannacook River Wildlife Management Area. Access is from Townsend Road on the east side in Groton, and from another Townsend Road on the west side in the town of Shirley.

Between Townsend and the headwater reaches, the river is accessed by a trail that goes behind the elementary school off Route 13, or from Turnpike Road. Anglers may also park on Dudley Street and hike through Townsend State Forest.

One notable area is the stretch of water known as Black Rock, named for a huge overhanging boulder. It’s a difficult section to reach, a long hike upstream from the trail behind the elementary school, but the walk is worth it. This is probably the best trout water on the river, and its pools offer excellent hatches and prime holding water for trophy-sized trout.

The Stillwater River from Oakdale to East Princeton deserves mention here, although not strictly for its trout fishing. The river is well stocked with rainbows and browns in the spring, and good angling is available, but the river’s attraction in the spring is the run of landlocked salmon that come from Wachusett Reservoir. Weighing up to 5 pounds, these landlocks are willing feeders in the spring, and terrific fighters.

Access is available from Route 140, which closely follows the river along most of its length. If possible, plan to show up when the river is on the rise from run-off or a spring rain, which brings the fish upstream.

I’m not quite sure that it is truly central, but the Tully River near Athol is worthy of mention here. Flowing into the Millers River just west of Athol, its main branch runs just over a mile from its beginning at the junction of the west and east branches in downtown Athol. All three of the branches offer excellent fishing for stocked and holdover browns and rainbows, and in its upper reaches there are native brook trout. The most popular access for the main portion of the river can be found by turning off Route 2A west of where it crosses the Millers River. This puts you on North Orange Road, which parallels the river. To find the West Branch, take Route 32 (West Royalston Road) and stay to the left when it splits. This is Tully Road, and it follows the West Branch to Tully Pond. If you take the right turn when West Royalton Road splits, you’ll find that it parallels the East Branch to Tully Lake.

WESTERN REGION

The crown jewel of western Massachusetts trout streams is the Deerfield. Originating out of several branches in Vermont, the river is cold, clear and loaded with fish.