Fishing Bickford Pond in Worcester County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Set in Worcester County, Massachusetts, this is Bickford Pond. It lies 1,043 feet above sea level. Roughly 166 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Around 2.5 miles of margin, front to back. It is among the larger waters listed here for Worcester County. Start from Princeton, 3.7 miles down the road. Hubbardston lies 4 miles off, Westminster another 4.2 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Bickford Pond

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Species logged across Worcester County include bluegill, chain pickerel, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Bickford Pond where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 68°F on average, January about 21°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. Open water usually runs from early April until about mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. The season on Bickford Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Hidden Meadow covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Mare Meadow Reservoir, 1.2 miles away. What applies at Bickford Pond may have changed since it was mapped.