Fishing Shakespeare Pond in Perth County, Ontario

• Overview

  Shakespeare Pond is set in Perth County, Ontario. Everything around it is mixed forest. At roughly 6 hectares, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Tavistock sits 7.1 km from the bank. Stratford is 9.6 km away, with New Hamburg at 11 km. Nearest other option: McCarthy Lake just 8.1 km, Spongy Lake within 16 km, Hofstetter Lake just 18 km and Sunfish Lake within 19 km. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Shakespeare Pond

  No depth figure has reached our records, which makes a plummet useful. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. County-wide records name bluegill, brown bullhead, green sunfish, least darter and greenside darter. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Shakespeare Pond the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 20°C and January near -7°C on the long-run figures. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about mid December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It holds true on Shakespeare Pond more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Public data has parking about 280 m from the shore. Mapping records toilets within 320 m. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. McCarthy Lake, 8.1 km away, makes the obvious fallback. The position on Shakespeare Pond is worth confirming on the day.