Massachusetts - Quabbin Reservoir
How about a 39-square-mile lake with multiple gamefish species that's surrounded by pristine woodlands? Great, you say, but in Massachusetts? Yup, that's Quabbin Reservoir near the state's center, a mammoth water supply that's eminently fishable, albeit intensely regulated. Smallmouth and largemouth bass abound, as do trout and salmon. Boat launches are open Thursday through Monday only, accessed through specific gated areas and with horsepower restrictions that vary by motor type. Some rental boats are available, and shore fishing is permitted. Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, 413-323-7221; mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/quabfish.htm

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Guide's Tips
Species: Salmon
Guide: Rodney Flagg; Flagg's Fly and Tackle; 978-544-0034
Rig Specifics: An 8 1/2-foot downrigger rod with lead-core line and shiners and minnows for bait.
Quick Tip: In the summer, the salmon are down deep. The action really picks up toward the end of August, when the fish start coming closer to the surface.
Where to Fish: Around Curtis Island.