Fishing at Cochrane Pond, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador

• Overview

  Newfoundland and Labrador holds Cochrane Pond, in St. John's. The bank is 138 metres above sea level. Surface area runs to roughly 1.36 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. There is roughly 8.5 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. For a base, Southlands sits 3.5 km out. For a city, St. John's is 15 km off. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Cochrane Pond

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in St. John's include brown trout, brook trout, American eel and Atlantic salmon. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Cochrane Pond responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between -5°C in February and 16°C in August. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Look for the thaw near late April; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from late April until about mid December. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. The season on Cochrane Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Three Arm Pond at 4.9 km is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to Cochrane Pond locally before you travel.