Horse Pond Fishing in Hampden County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Horse Pond is a Hampden County water, in Massachusetts. The bank is 262 feet above sea level. At roughly 21 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The town to know is Southampton, 4 miles out. Westfield lies 4.4 miles off, Holyoke another 4.6 miles. Near neighbours: Doe Pond out at 0.2 miles, Round Pond at 0.4 miles, Buck Pond out at 0.4 miles, Pequot Pond at 0.6 miles and Chapin Pond out at 0.7 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Horse Pond

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Hampden County records list bluegill, white sucker and pumpkinseed among the fish reported. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Read Horse Pond for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 71°F and January about 23°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly late December. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. At Horse Pond the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. There is a mapped slipway roughly half a mile away. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. There is a mapped landing stage half a mile away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Doe Pond sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. For Horse Pond in particular, ask before you travel.