Swift River in Massachusetts to Get Wild Brook Trout Redd Signs

A large wild brook trout from the Swift River in Massachusetts. (Diana Mallard)

Massachusetts NFC worked with Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation and Pioneer Valley Trout Unlimited to develop an informational sign pertaining the presence of wild brook trout redds in the upper Swift River tailwater below Quabbin Reservoir.

The Swift River is home to the finest wild brook trout fishery in Massachusetts, and the best in New England outside of Maine and the Dead Diamond River in New Hampshire. While the historic status of this manmade tailwater is not known, brook trout were native to the watershed.

The Swift River is also the most popular fishery in Massachusetts, and along with the Farmington River in Connecticut, arguably the most popular in New England. As a tailwater, it is fishable year-round, and sees at least some level of angling pressure most days.

Each fall, large wild brook trout up 18-inches enter the tailwater above Route 9 to spawn. They start staging in late October with most of the activity occurring in mid to late November. The highly visible and unprotected redds contain eggs which hatch in late March or early May.

These signs will help protect wild brook trout, inform both anglers and non-anglers as to their presence, and further promote the wild native fish message.

Special thanks to MA NFC Chair Bob Dalton for working hard to make this happen; Dan Clark from MA DCR for his support; MA NFC board member Kyle White for making the wooden backboards; NFC Technologist Ben Brunt for help with the artwork; Jim Lafley, Jerry Eves and Rick Taupier of PVTU for their support; and Jim Dowd of Deerfield River TU and lifetime NFC member for his support and generosity.