Angler Event Series

Brought to you by the Indian Lake Watershed Association, Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association, the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association, and the City of Worcester Lakes and Ponds Program

Fishing Clinic: July 11 & 12

Come join MassWildlife for some hands-on fishing lessons! Adults and families who want to learn how to fish on their own will get instruction and have fun practicing skills including setting up a rod, baiting a hook, tying knots, casting, and identify fish. Bring your own equipment or borrow ours. When you arrive, instructors will cover the fishing basics with the balance of the time spent fishing! To get the most out of the in-person class, participants are encouraged to watch MassWildlife's online video tutorial before the day of the class. You will receive a link to the video with your confirmation email when you register. This class is designed for adults and families; participants ages 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Learn to Ice Fish: February 9

Thank you to all who participated! Missed the event? Check out the recording here:

Intro to Ice Safety and Fishing

The Blue Space Angler Event Series is a series of free, virtual and outdoor, fishing-themed events that are planned for the Worcester area beginning in February and running through September of 2021. This diverse program includes opportunities for novice to advanced anglers, and is family friendly. Check out our offerings below!

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Introduction to Ice Fishing (Virtual Event)

Wednesday, Feb 10 at 6:30pm

Are you interested in giving ice fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? Join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program, Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association, and Indian Lake Watershed Association for an introductory, all ages, ice fishing how-to program. This two part event will begin with a virtual learning class hosted by MassWildife to provide participants an overview of ice fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy winter fishing. Following the virtual event, participants have the option to sign up for one of two hands-on ice fishing events at either Indian Lake or Cooks Pond in Worcester. All fishing equipment and materials will be provided. While no fishing license is required, online registration is, as space is limited. Virtual training is a prerequisite for either outing. In person ice fishing event is optional.

Thank you to all who participated!

Introduction to Ice Fishing Outing #1 (Cooks Pond)

Saturday, Feb 13, 2021

Are you interested in giving ice fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? Join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program, Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association, and Indian Lake Watershed Association for an introductory ice fishing how-to program. This is the second of a two part event that began with a virtual learning class hosted by MassWildife to provide participates an overview of ice fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy winter fishing. All fishing equipment and materials will be provided at this all ages-event. While no fishing license is required online registration is, as space is limited. Participants must have attended the online event on February 10th to register for this event. This event occurs weather-permitting.

Thank you to all who participated!

Introduction to Ice Fishing Outing #2 (Indian Lake)

Saturday, Feb 20, 2021

Are you interested in giving ice fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? Join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program, Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association, and Indian Lake Watershed Association for an introductory ice fishing how-to program. This is the second of a two part event that began with a virtual learning class hosted by MassWildife to provide participates an overview of ice fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy winter fishing. All fishing equipment and materials will be provided at this all ages-event. While no fishing license is required online registration is, as space is limited. Participants must have attended the online event on February 10th to register for this event. This event occurs weather-permitting.

Thank you to all who participated!

Worcester Fisheries History Virtual Event

Thursday, March 18 at 6:30 PM

Over time, fish populations have shifted in our local lakes and ponds. This past winter, the City of Worcester contracted a report that compiles available data on how and why these changes have occurred. The report synthesizes years of data by MassWildlife, local water quality data, and surveys by resident anglers to track how populations have shifted throughout time and why. This virtual event will be presented by the City of Worcester, with opportunities for the public to ask questions to the report authors. Event contact: burmeisterj@worcesterma.gov.

Thank you to all who participated!

Missed the event? You can view the presentation here: Worcester Fisheries History

Nutrient Management, Cyanobacteria, and Fish Health Virtual Event

Tuesday, Apr 27 at 6:30 PM

Harmful algal blooms are causing beaches and lakes to close to recreation throughout the country, but how do cyanobacteria affect fishing and fish populations? Join MassWildlife, Indian Lake Watershed Association, and the City of Worcester for a virtual event in which we learn how harmful algal blooms can affect our fisheries, as well as some of the ways we are looking to reduce their impact on our local lakes and ponds. Event features Jason Stolarski and Nancy Leland. Event contact: indianlakeboard@gmail.com.

Thank you to all who participated!

Missed the event? You can view the presentation here: Nutrient Management, Cyanobacteria, and Fish Health.

The Biology of Fly Fishing Virtual Event

Wednesday, May 5th, 6:00pm

In fly fishing, anglers use small lures called flies to imitate insects and other aquatic organisms to catch fish. Knowing about those food sources can greatly increase your success on the water. Aside from helping us catch fish, the organisms that live in lakes and streams can also tell us a lot about the health of water bodies. Join the City of Worcester and MassWildlife for a virtual event where you will learn about the organisms fish eat, what they say about your waterbody and what fly patterns you can use to imitate them. If you are interested in fly fishing or just what lives in local waterbodies, this event is for you! Event contact: burmeisterj@worcesterma.gov.

Thank you to all who participated!

Missed the event? You can view the presentation here: The Biology of Fly Fishing.

Learn to Fish! Virtual Event

Wednesday, May 19 at 6:30 PM

Are you interested in giving fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? Join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program, Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association, and Shrewsbury Parks and Rec to learn the basics of fishing in a virtual session. In this family friendly event, participates will be provided an overview of rod and reel fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy a day of fishing. Following this participants will get the opportunity to give fishing a try and borrow equipment for the weekend. They are also welcome to participate in the "Fishapalooza - Caught on Camera" Virtual Fishing Event the following weekend. While no fishing license is required, online registration is, as space is limited. Event contact: info@libconcut.com.

Registration Full!

"Fishapalooza - Caught on Camera" Virtual Fishing Event

Weekend of May 21 - 23

Head out to your favorite local spot on Lake Quinsigamond and go fish! Between May 21st and May 23rd, participants can tell their fish-tales and upload photos of their fishing adventures and catches to the event website. This event is hosted by Shrewsbury Parks and Rec. Register now for link to upload photos. Don't have a fishing license? Check out Mass.gov to get one before the event!

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Fish Tales: Stories of Fishing in the Heart of the Commonwealth

June 5th - September 6th (Labor Day)

The Indian Lake Watershed Association is hosting "Fish Tales: Stories of Fishing in the Heart of the Commonwealth" to showcase local anglers, their catches, and their experiences. Beginning June 5th and running through July, anglers will have to opportunity to upload their fishing photos and stories that relate to Worcester lakes and ponds. During the second week of August, photos will be displayed at a public exhibit to showcase the opportunities at Worcester's Blue Spaces. Register for more information. Event contact: indianlakeboard@gmail.com.

Thank you to all who participated!

"Tangled in the Weeds" Virtual Event

June 17, 6:30

In this online event hosted by the Lake Quinsigamond Commission, Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, participants will learn about the importance of native aquatic plants to maintaining healthy fish communities, as well as the harm that invasive plants can cause. Participants will learn how they can help prevent the spread of invasive plants. The Lake Quinsigamond Commission will present the management plan that is in place to help control invasive aquatic plants.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

Missed the event?

You can view the presentation here.

Fish in Cold Waters Virtual Event

Mon, Jul 19, 2021 6:30 PM

In this online event hosted by MassWildlife and the City of Worcester, participants will learn what defines coldwater fish resources, where are they located in Worcester, and how water quality impacts fishing opportunities in the region. Event contact: burmeisterj@worcesterma.gov.

You can view the presentation here.

Discovering Our Waterbodies: Family Aquatic Science Day

RESCHEDULED! Sat, Sept 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM

This interactive event hosted by Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association will introduce participants to water quality indicators, wildlife, and aquatic resources that can affect fish populations and the identify the health of a waterbody. Participants will get their hands dirty discovering the aquatic environment through various scientific sampling techniques. Take measurements with water quality meters, collect macroinvertebrates with a kick net, search for algae under a microscope, identify aquatic plants, and capture fish in large seine net! Professional and citizen scientists will be on hand to share their experience and expertise. Families and children of all ages welcome. Online registration is required. Event contact: dangiza@hotmail.com.

Thank you to all who participated!

Family Learn to Fish Event

Sat, Sep 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM

Are you interested in giving fishing a try, but maybe don't know where to start? Join the MassWildlife Angler Education Program and the Tatnuck Brook Watershed Association to learn the basics of fishing. Participates will be provided an overview of rod and reel fishing equipment, techniques, rules, and the safety elements required to enjoy a day of fishing. Following this participants will get the opportunity to give fishing a try at Coes Reservoir beach. All fishing equipment and materials will be provided at this all ages event. While no fishing license is required, online registration is, as space is limited. Event contact: dangiza@hotmail.com.

Thank you to all who participated!

Event Calendar