Trout fishing in Massachusetts is highly dependent on hatchery fish, but the quality of those fish in some of the best trout areas is also dependent upon certain successful programs long in existence.

One of these is the catch-and-release program. Some of the largest trout in the Commonwealth are available in these areas, not only because of the average size of fish released there, but because of their natural ability to increase their size and that many waters are large enough to hold fish over from one season to the next.

These areas also offer varied angling opportunities for everyone, from fly-fishing to the use of artificial lures only.

In 2003, there were seven catch-and-release areas scattered throughout the Commonwealth. They include the Nissitissit River in Pepperell, which is fly-fishing only from the New Hampshire border downstream to the Prescott River bridge. In the southeast region, the Quashnet River features a catch-and-release section between Route 151 in Mashpee and Route 28 in Falmouth; and in the central region, the Millers River is open to catch-and-release fishing from the railroad bridge in South Royalston to the dam in Athol.

In the Connecticut River valley, the Millers River from the Wendell Road bridge in Orange to the bridge in Erving Center is catch-and-release only, and the Swift River in Belchertown has two restricted sections. One is fly-fishing only from the Windsor Dam downstream to Route 9, and the other is from Route 9 to Cady Lane, which allows the use of artificial lures.

On the Deerfield River, perhaps the Commonwealth's best-known trout stream, the catch-and-release section is from the Fife Brook dam in Florida and Rowe downstream to the Hoosac Tunnel and from Pelham Brook to the Mohawk Campground.

On the East Branch Westfield River, fishing is catch-and-release from the Gorge parking lot in Chesterfield to the gate north of the U.S. Corps of Engineers parking lot at Knightville in Huntington.

These areas have proven so popular with Massachusetts trout fishermen that three more such areas were created for 2004 and one existing area was extended. Two areas were created on the Housatonic River in the Berkshire region, one in Lee running six miles from Route 20 downstream to Willow Mill Dam. The other is in the Glendale area of Stockbridge and runs from the Glendale dam downstream one mile to the railroad crossing. It should also be noted that new limits were established outside the catch-and-release areas on this river. One trout 20 inches or longer is the creel limit this year. Some areas will also be closed between June 15 and Aug. 31, so check the 2004 fishing summary for details.

In the southeastern area, a new catch-and-release area was established for the length of Red Brook in Plymouth and Wareham. The catch- and-release area on the Quashnet River in Mashpee mentioned previously was extended to include the entire length of that river.

Sea-run brown trout have grown in popularity in Massachusetts, and anglers will be delighted to know that special regulations were removed on eight coastal rivers including the Park River, Jones River, Scorton Creek, Childs River, Coonamessett River, Santuit River, Mashpee River and Quashnet River. There is now a three-trout daily creel limit on each stream.

For more information, contact the MassWildlife office, Route 136, Westboro, MA 01582; call (508) 792-7270 or check out their Web site at MassWildlife.com.

The state is also home to some large rivers. There are some monster browns in the Missisquoi River below Richmond and in the Lamoille River below Fairfax Falls in the Champlain Valley. The Winooski River below Bolton Dam can be a good producer of large browns and rainbows.

In the Northeast Kingdom, the upper Missisquoi above Troy is a good spot for trout, as are the Clyde River near Darby Center and Passumpsic River between Lyndonville and East Barnet.

In the central region, the Dog River below Northfield is a good spot for rainbows and browns, as are the Waits River from Topsham to Bradford and the Wells River in Groton and Ryegate.

Lake Champlain offers some lunker lake trout, browns and rainbows, while Lake Memphremagog is home to some wonderful browns and rainbows. Some other top lakes in the state include Caspian Lake in Greensboro, Seymour Lake in Morgan and Lake Willoughby in Westmore.

For more information, contact the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, 103 South Main Street, Waterbury, VT 05676; or call (802) 241-3700 and ask for the Fish Vermont Map and Guide. Or visit the VFWD's Web site at ww.anr.state. vt.us/fw/fwhome.

Created in 1993 in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Merrimack Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, approximately 2,500 brood stock salmon weighing 3 to 12 pounds each are released each spring and fall.

Fishing is open year 'round, except that fish taken from Oct. 1 through March 31 must be released. A $10 Atlantic salmon stamp is required in addition to a fishing license, and fishing is restricted to fly-fishing only. Fishermen may keep one fish per day and up to five fish per season.

This year, as in the past, the best times to fish for these salmon will be in April and May, and then again in October and November, when water temperatures are between 45 and 65 degrees. Start with the fast waters below the dams in Bristol, Franklin, Bow and Hooksett. The Stirrup Iron Brook area in Boscawen and the Sewall's Falls Recreation Area in Concord are favorites, too. Success rates are around 40 percent. Some areas are closed to fishing and other special regulations apply, so be sure to check the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department's regulations handbook for specific details, or visit the department's Web site.

Combine this opportunity with the myriad of trout-fishing destinations the state offers and you have a combination that is difficult to beat.

In the North Country and White Mountain regions, anglers will find native brook trout in small headwaters and tributary waters, as well as browns and rainbows in the larger rivers including the upper Connecticut, Androscoggin, Saco and Swift.

South of the mountains, stocked trout will again be available in places like the Exeter and Lamprey rivers, the Pascataquog and its tributaries in Goffstown, New Boston and Ware.

Starting in 2003, five streams in the southwestern region will be managed for wild brook trout, including Flints Brook in Hollis, Gulf Brook in Chesterfield, Meadow Brook in Sharon, Sand Brook in Hillsborough and Witches Spring Brook in Hollis. Special regulations apply and the season runs from Jan. 1 through Labor Day.

For more information, contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 2 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301; call (603) 271-3211 or visit the department's Web site at www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

Included on the list are Auburn Lake in Auburn, Logan Lake in Houlton, Lower Hinckley Pond in South Portland, portions of the Carrabassett River in East New Portland and portions of Mill Stream in Embden and Spicer Pond in Shapleigh.

Along with the largest wild brook trout fishery in New England, Maine's stocking program releases nearly 1 million trout annually. There is also a handful of coastal sea-run trout opportunities that offer some challenging and unique fishing in the fall and early spring.

For big-water anglers, Sebago Moosehead, the Rangeley chain, Sebec and Thompson, to name but a few, have been producing great fishing lately, and 2004 promises to be another good year for Maine anglers.

For more information, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Augusta, Maine 04333; call (207) 287-2871, or visit the MDIFW's Web site at www.mefishwildlife.com.