Best Massachusetts Fishing Spots for the Pickerel Chain

Chicopee, Massachusetts (WWLP) – One of the oldest Massachusetts fishing records yet to be beaten after nearly 70 years.

The state has kept data on record-sized fish caught in Massachusetts for years. While most are often beaten, some of the records date back as far as 40, 50, and nearly 70! Some of the oldest records can be found in Massachusetts of freshwater fish caught and kept records.

The oldest freshwater catch and record keeping date back to 1954 when a 9lb 5oz Becquerel was recorded. The fish was caught by Mrs. James Martin” in Lake Laurel in Lee. The length of the fish has not been recorded, likely due to the way records were kept in the 1950s.

The chain pickerel is a pike fish and is most famous for its markings. The sides of the fish are yellow to green and have a chain-like pattern of black lines. Their jaws are elongated, and they have large, sharp teeth.

The most recent catch and release record for a Pickerel string was set in 2020 by David Desimone at 28.75 inches on Leverett Pond. However, the state divides “Catch and Release” and “Catch and Keep” records into two separate categories.

Where to fish for Becquerel streak in Massachusetts

So where’s the best place to go to catch a standard-sized chain-link becquerel? While local anglers have their own secret spots around the state, MassWildlife has a list of spots to try based on the MassWildlife Freshwater Fishing Awards Program.

• Connecticut River
• Lovells Bond – Barnstaple
• Middle Pond – Barnstaple
• Lake Waikokeh – Barnstable
• Lake Buckley Downton – Pickett
• Great Herring Pond – Bourne/Plymouth
• Greenland Pond – Brewster
• Quaboag Pond – Brookfield
• Sampson Bond – Carver
• Robins Bond – East Bridgewater
• The Great Pond – Eastham
• Herring Bond – Eastham
• Moody Bond – East Ham
• Monponsett Ponds – Halifax
• Herring River Reservoir – Harwich
• Norwich Bond – Huntington
• Long Pond – Lakeville
• Laurel Lake – Lee
• Long Bond – Littleton
• Mashpee wakibi bond – Mashbi
• Lake Boyle – Monterey
• Lake Garfield – Monterey
• Otis Reservoir – Otis
• Lake Oneta – Pittsfield
• Lake Pontusoc – Pittsfield
• Billington Sea – Plymouth
• Long Bond – Plymouth
• White Island Pond – Plymouth
• Richmond Pond – Richmond
• Snipatuit Pond – Rochester
• Long Bond – Rutland
• Upper and Lower Shaum Lake – Sandwich
• Stockbridge Ball – Stockbridge
• Agwam River / Agwam Mill Pond – Wareham
• Glenn Charlie Bond – Wareham
• Heard Bond – Wayland
• Webster Lake – Webster
• Long Pond – Yarmouth

If you think you’ve caught a record-sized fish, you can report it to MassWildlife by sending an email to steven.mattocks@mass.gov and make an appointment to have it formally evaluated.