Hayes Pond in Worcester County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Look for Hayes Pond in the Worcester County part of Massachusetts. Everything around it is pine and birch. Small at around 7 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Our Worcester County list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest place of any size is Grafton, 2.1 miles away. After that come Sunderland at 3.6 miles and Hamilton Worcester at 3.7 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Hayes Pond

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. 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. Public occurrence data for Worcester County names bluegill, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow bullhead. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Take Hayes Pond a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 24°F to 71°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Average temperatures cross freezing around late March in spring and again near late December in autumn. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It holds true on Hayes Pond more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. The water borders Quinsigamond Marsh, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Pratts Pond at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Hayes Pond as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.