04-15-2008, 12:10 AM
By MICHAEL McAULIFFE
WEST SPRINGFIELD - When it comes to fishing, size certainly seems to make a difference in Massachusetts.
While the popularity of hunting and fishing appears to be diminishing overall in America, the number of anglers is on the increase in the Bay State, perhaps as a result of the variety of venues and relatively cozy confines.
Andrew Madden, Western District manager for the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said the state has a lot of rivers, streams and ponds; the Connecticut River, which draws fish from the Atlantic Ocean; and coastal fishing opportunities. And getting to any fishing spot in Massachusetts doesn't mean spending an eternity in the car.
"Within a few hours you can pretty much cover the state," Madden said yesterday at the Springfield Sportsmen's & Boat Show at the Eastern States Exposition grounds.
New Braintree resident Hudson D. Bennett may fish only rivers and lakes, but, he said, "having the ocean there ... two hours, three hours from anywhere in the state, that's a huge bonus."
Amid the loss of land to urbanization, the latest survey data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows that the number of Americans who fish dropped 15 percent from 1996 to 2006, while the number of hunters 16 and up declined 10 percent in the same decade.
However, in Massachusetts the number of hunting licenses issued has remained at about 68,000 since 2004, while fishing licenses have gone from 136,743 in 2004 to more than 142,000 last year.
Patricia J. Hopf of Hadley, once a commercial fisherwoman on Nantucket Island, said recreational fishing makes for great family recreation. "It's exciting, because you can boast about what you caught; it's competitive; and you're out there with the family," said Hopf, who has three children.
Hopf also has gone hunting for deer, but the 52-year-old has so far not fired her black powder rifle. "I could never pull the trigger yet," she said.
Hopf said hunting is difficult and costs more than fishing. "It takes a lot of time to find out where they're (the deer) at," she said.
Yesterday, 6-year-old Dominic Serrenho, who lives in Springfield, caught his first fish out of a pond set up for the show. His dad, Mark, said fishing is not only a great activity for children but something that can be done year-round.
Mark Serrenho also said anglers get a helping hand from the state. "We have an excellent trout stocking program, and they tell you where they're going to put them," he said.
The show began Thursday and concludes today. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WEST SPRINGFIELD - When it comes to fishing, size certainly seems to make a difference in Massachusetts.
While the popularity of hunting and fishing appears to be diminishing overall in America, the number of anglers is on the increase in the Bay State, perhaps as a result of the variety of venues and relatively cozy confines.
Andrew Madden, Western District manager for the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said the state has a lot of rivers, streams and ponds; the Connecticut River, which draws fish from the Atlantic Ocean; and coastal fishing opportunities. And getting to any fishing spot in Massachusetts doesn't mean spending an eternity in the car.
"Within a few hours you can pretty much cover the state," Madden said yesterday at the Springfield Sportsmen's & Boat Show at the Eastern States Exposition grounds.
New Braintree resident Hudson D. Bennett may fish only rivers and lakes, but, he said, "having the ocean there ... two hours, three hours from anywhere in the state, that's a huge bonus."
Amid the loss of land to urbanization, the latest survey data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows that the number of Americans who fish dropped 15 percent from 1996 to 2006, while the number of hunters 16 and up declined 10 percent in the same decade.
However, in Massachusetts the number of hunting licenses issued has remained at about 68,000 since 2004, while fishing licenses have gone from 136,743 in 2004 to more than 142,000 last year.
Patricia J. Hopf of Hadley, once a commercial fisherwoman on Nantucket Island, said recreational fishing makes for great family recreation. "It's exciting, because you can boast about what you caught; it's competitive; and you're out there with the family," said Hopf, who has three children.
Hopf also has gone hunting for deer, but the 52-year-old has so far not fired her black powder rifle. "I could never pull the trigger yet," she said.
Hopf said hunting is difficult and costs more than fishing. "It takes a lot of time to find out where they're (the deer) at," she said.
Yesterday, 6-year-old Dominic Serrenho, who lives in Springfield, caught his first fish out of a pond set up for the show. His dad, Mark, said fishing is not only a great activity for children but something that can be done year-round.
Mark Serrenho also said anglers get a helping hand from the state. "We have an excellent trout stocking program, and they tell you where they're going to put them," he said.
The show began Thursday and concludes today. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.