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Freshwater Sportfishing Awards

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Awards for freshwater fish are offered in 22 categories. Each qualified entry receives a bronze pin. Largest fish in each category each year receives a “gold” pin and plaque. There is also an annual “Angler of the Year” award for the person who has taken the greatest variety of “pinfish” during the year. Fish must meet minimum weight requirements listed below, and must be weighed on a scale certified by the Massachusetts Division of Standards or a town official. Please check our website for a list of weigh stations and/or to download an affidavit. This information is also available at DFW offices.

Current Minimum Weights

Species

Adult

Youth

Broodstock Salmon

10 lbs. 0 ozs.

5 lbs. 0 ozs.

Brook trout

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

1 lb. 0 ozs.

Brown trout

4 lbs. 0 ozs.

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

Bullhead

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

1 lb. 0 ozs.

Carp

15 lbs. 0 ozs.

10 lbs. 0 ozs.

Chain pickerel

4 lbs. 8 ozs.

3 lbs. 0 ozs.

Channel catfish

6 lbs. 0 ozs.

5 lbs. 0 ozs.

Crappie

1 lb. 8 ozs.

1 lb. 0 ozs.

Lake trout

7 lbs. 0 ozs.

5 lbs. 0 ozs.

Landlocked salmon 1

4 lbs. 0 ozs.

3 lbs. 0 ozs.

Largemouth bass

7 lbs. 0 ozs.

4 lbs. 0 ozs.

Northern pike

15 lbs. 0 ozs.

10 lbs. 0 ozs.

Rainbow trout

3 lbs. 0 ozs.

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

Shad

5 lbs. 0 ozs.

3 lbs. 0 ozs.

Smallmouth bass

4 lbs. 8 ozs.

3 lbs. 0 ozs.

Sunfish2

0 lbs. 12 ozs.

0 lbs. 8 ozs.

Tiger muskie

10 lbs. 0 ozs.

7 lbs. 0 ozs.

Tiger trout

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

1 lb. 0 ozs.

Walleye

4 lbs. 0 ozs.

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

White catfish

4 lbs. 0 ozs.

2 lbs. 0 ozs.

White perch

1 lb. 8 ozs.

1 lb. 0 ozs.

Yellow perch

1 lb. 8 ozs.

1 lb. 0 ozs.
  1. Landlocked Salmon are recognized only from Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs.
  2. Sunfish category includes bluegills, pumpkinseeds, redbreast sunfish, green and rock bass.

Massachusetts Freshwater Sportfishing Records

Species

Weight

Water

Year

American shad

11 lbs. 4 ozs.

Connecticut River

1986

Broodstock Salmon

22 lbs. 15 ozs.

Lake Mattawa, Orange

1997

Brook trout

10 lbs. 0 ozs.

Ashfield Lake, Ashfield

2008

Brown trout

19 lbs. 10 ozs.

Wachusett Reservoir

1966

Bullhead

6 lbs. 4 ozs.

Forest Lake, Methuen

2008

Carp

44 lbs. 2 ozs.

Connecticut River

1993

Chain pickerel

9 lbs. 5 ozs.

Laurel Lake, Lee

1954

Channel catfish

26 lbs. 8 ozs.

Ashfield Lake, Ashfield

1989

Crappie

4 lbs. 10 ozs.

Jake’s Pond, Plymouth

1980

Lake trout

24 lbs. 0 ozs.

Wachusett Reservoir

2004

Landlocked salmon

10 lbs. 2 ozs.

Wachusett Reservoir

1985

Largemouth bass

15 lbs. 8 ozs.

Sampson Pond, Carver

1975

Northern pike

35 lbs. 0 ozs.

South Pond, Brookfield

1988

Rainbow trout

13 lbs. 13 ozs.

Wachusett Reservoir

1999

Smallmouth bass

8 lbs. 2 ozs.

Wachusett Reservoir

1991

Sunfish

2 lbs. 1 ozs.

South Athol Pond, Athol

1982

Tiger muskellunge

27 lbs. 0 ozs.

Lake Pontoosuc, Pittsfield

2001

Tiger trout

9 lbs. 7 ozs.

Peter’s Pond, Sandwich

2004

Walleye

11 lbs. 0 ozs.

Quabbin Reservoir

1973

White catfish

9 lbs. 3 ozs.

Baddacook Pond, Groton

1987

White perch

3 lbs. 5 ozs.

Wachusett Reservoir

1994

Yellow perch

2 lbs. 12 ozs.

South Watuppa Pond, Fall River

1979

 




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