Pitmans Pond Fishing in Hant's Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador

• Overview

  Look for Pitmans Pond in Hant's Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador. The country here is lake country bush. This is sizeable water at about 5.17 sq km, and a boat opens up most of it. There is roughly 20 km of bank, more than one visit can cover properly. Among the waters listed for Hant's Harbour, none is wider. Victoria sits 26 km from here and is the nearest stop. St. John's sits 61 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name.

• Where to Fish on Pitmans Pond

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Records held for Hant's Harbour cover American eel, bull-rout and Atlantic hook-ear sculpin. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. Anyone new to Pitmans Pond should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -6°C in February to roughly 16°C in August. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. After late April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near mid December in autumn. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Plan around that when you fish Pitmans Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Nothing formal is recorded here: no ramp, no car park, no marked path. Keep the gear simple: light line, small hooks, split shot and a couple of proven lures. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Dabblers Pond at 1.8 km is the nearest alternative. Rules at Pitmans Pond are worth checking on the day.