Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 4/14/2020
HUNTINGTON – Trout have mostly been stocked in area lakes and rivers, but access to popular fishing areas is in some cases restricted. Residents were saddened to see the closed sign posted at Littleville Lake in Huntington on April 6.
Huntington Police Chief Robert Garriepy said the Army Corps of Engineers, that runs both Littleville and Knightville Dams, made the decision to close them based on the volume of traffic. He said people from all over had started to congregate and picnic at the recreational areas.
“They were getting 30 to 40 cars a day,” Garriepy said, adding that people were even parking at the top where they had put in flower boxes to deter cars.
“The concept of getting people outside was a great thing,” Garriepy said, but the crowds were not.
Garriepy said the Army Corps had previously closed the outer gate to Knightville Dam because of the picnic areas. He said they were following the Governor’s recommendations for parks.
“The Army Corps of Engineers has always been a good neighbor to us, and we’ve been a good neighbor to them. They have always been supportive of our mission,” Garriepy said.
As for fishing in the Westfield River, Garriepy said he’s not at this time stopping anyone, although he warns people to stay away from private properties. “Most fishermen go by themselves,” he said, by nature practicing social distancing.
Looking at the black pushpins on the map on the Department of Fish and Game website, it shows most areas have already been stocked with trout, with a few red diamonds indicating areas that will be stocked later this spring. To help minimize crowding at recently stocked areas, stocking date information has been temporarily removed from the stocking report.
Fishing licenses may be purchased online at MassFishHunt.
Garriepy said while “fresh air does the body good,” people should be staying home.
As of April 10, Garriepy said there have been three reported positive cases of COVID-19 in Huntington. He said the people self-reported and self-quarantined for two weeks, but they are now out of quarantine.