The Bear’s Den Freshwater Fishing Report 10/20/2026

Massachusetts Waters Stocked This Week

MassWildlife's fall trout stocking program is winding down, with recent deliveries of rainbow trout providing anglers with plenty of opportunities heading into late October. The most recent confirmed stockings include Asnacomet Pond in Hubbardston, Baldpate Pond in Boxford, Lake Saltonstall in Haverhill, and Long Sought-for Pond in Westford, all stocked with rainbow trout on October 13.

Other recent stockings worth highlighting include Littleville Lake in Huntington, which received brown trout on October 9, along with Baddacook Pond and Knops Pond in Groton, which received rainbows the same day. The Deerfield River also received additional trout on October 7, and the Swift River in Belchertown received rainbows on October 8.

While stocking activity is slowing, there are still plenty of fresh fish available. Woolly Buggers, small streamers, and nymphs are excellent starting points, with the cooler fall weather making this a particularly good time to fish Massachusetts ponds and streams. 

Swift River — Belchertown/Ware, Massachusetts

The Swift received a fresh stocking of rainbow trout on October 8, providing additional opportunities alongside the river's established trout population. Cold, clear water continues to make the Swift a dependable fall destination, although its technical fishing requires careful presentations and a willingness to downsize.

Chris Jackson recommends mops and nymphs under indicators, especially small BWO sizes 20 through 26, and BWO emergers and dries in the same range. The olives are building and will be around until early November offering some excellent technical dry fly action over the coming weeks.  He also mentioned that streamers are working great as well.

Brook trout spawning activity is an important consideration right now, with fish moving toward spawning areas. Anglers should avoid redds and leave actively spawning trout undisturbed. The Orvis observations are from September 24, and a newer firsthand fishing report has not yet been verified.

Photo Courtesy Matt Tempesta Tempco Fly Fishing

Deerfield River — Massachusetts

The Deerfield remains a good option for anglers targeting fall trout, especially following its October 7 stocking. Recent cooler weather and the arrival of fall insect activity make this an appealing time to fish the river.

Effective flies have been: October caddis, smaller caddis, and Blue-Winged Olives, with trout showing interest in streamers as temperatures dropped. Nymph rigs and streamers were producing during the morning, while larger caddis dries paired with BWO nymph droppers offered opportunities later in the day.

For anglers looking to cover water, streamers are worth carrying alongside standard nymph setups. As always, check Fife Brook dam releases before heading out, since changing flows can quickly affect wading conditions.

Farmington River — Connecticut

The Farmington is fishing well, with fall conditions creating excellent opportunities for anglers targeting larger brown trout. UpCountry's October 19 report had the Permanent TMA flowing at approximately 204 CFS, with 148 CFS coming from the Riverton dam and another 56 CFS from the Still River. Water temperatures were around 57 degrees below the dam, with colder temperatures farther downstream.

Blue-Winged Olives in sizes 20–24 and tan or brown caddis in sizes 16–18 are the dominant reported hatches. Nymphing continues to be productive, particularly with smaller patterns in sizes 18–22. Egg patterns, mop flies, and larger stonefly nymphs have also been taking fish.

Streamer fishing is becoming particularly exciting. Brown trout are increasingly aggressive as spawning season approaches, and anglers targeting larger fish should consider yellow, olive, brown, and white streamers. Large articulated patterns in the 4- to 6-inch range can be effective for hunting trophy browns, while smaller streamers and Woolly Buggers should provide more consistent action.

The river has been producing quality fish, including a 21¾-inch brown caught over the weekend by a local angler. Spawning activity is beginning to develop, so avoid redds and actively spawning trout as we move toward November.

Photo Courtesy Chris Jackson Chris Jackson Fly Fishing

Salmon River — Pulaski, New York

The Salmon River continues to offer exciting fishing, with kings, cohos, steelhead, and brown trout all being reported. Steelhead are becoming an increasingly important part of the fishery as we move toward the end of October.

The Douglaston Salmon Run reports described moderate fishing throughout the upper section, with kings, cohos, steelhead, and brown trout encountered. The middle section produced good fishing through its middle and upper portions, while the lower section saw good action just upriver from the estuary. Fish were both actively moving upstream and holding in pools.

The October 19 afternoon report recorded a dam release of 185 CFS, approximately 236 CFS at Pineville, and a water temperature of 52 degrees. Reports further down also described very good fishing throughout the river, with anglers encountering a mixture of kings, cohos, and steelhead.

For fly anglers, egg patterns and nymphs remain important presentations, particularly for steelhead and brown trout holding around spawning salmon. With more steelhead showing throughout the river, the transition toward late-fall steelhead fishing is underway.

One important reminder: the Lower Fly Fishing Catch & Release Area remains closed under an emergency order through October 31 due to drought-related conditions.

Connecticut Atlantic Salmon — Naugatuck & Shetucket Rivers

Connecticut's fall Atlantic salmon season is underway, with both the Naugatuck and Shetucket rivers having received their first stockings of the season.

The Shetucket River received Atlantic salmon on October 6, followed by a trout stocking on October 9. The Naugatuck River received Atlantic salmon and trout on October 9 in both its upper management area around Harwinton and Litchfield and its lower management area between Waterbury and Beacon Falls.

Connecticut DEEP's latest stocking update, dated October 19, does not show additional Atlantic salmon stockings in either river since those initial deliveries. Both rivers remain worth considering for anglers interested in targeting stocked Atlantic salmon on the fly.

DEEP is using yellow tags on Atlantic salmon stocked this fall and is encouraging anglers to report tagged fish to help track their movements. Egg patterns, nymphs, and streamers are all options worth carrying when fishing for these salmon. Special Atlantic salmon management regulations apply, so anglers should check the current Connecticut fishing regulations before heading out.