Ell Pond Fishing Guide, Middlesex County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Massachusetts holds Ell Pond, in Middlesex County. It sits 5.3 miles in from the sea. At 23 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Melrose sits 0.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Stoneham is 2.2 miles away, with Malden at 2.5 miles. Within a short drive: Griswold Pond within 1.2 miles, Towners Pond roughly 1.4 miles, Swains Pond within 1.4 miles, Long Pond roughly 1.5 miles and Spring Pond within 1.5 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Ell Pond

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Middlesex County include bluegill, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Ell Pond gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 27°F in January to roughly 73°F in July. Most months fish reasonably, given the right weather. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. Anyone fishing Ell Pond regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. This sits inside Sewall Woods, so read the reserve notices first. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Griswold Pond, 1.2 miles away. Rules at Ell Pond are worth checking on the day.