Howes Pond Fishing in Essex County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Set in Essex County, Massachusetts, this is Howes Pond. Tidal water begins 10 miles from here. This is a pocket water of some 7 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. 0.5 miles away sits Boxford, the nearest town. Topsfield follows at 2.9 miles, then Middleton at 4.2 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Howes Pond

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Across Essex County, recorded fish include alewife, bluegill, striped bass, pumpkinseed and rainbow trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Fish Howes Pond to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 26°F and July at about 71°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Conditions shift steadily rather than sharply. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan around that when you fish Howes Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. There are toilets half a mile off. This sits inside Cargill Fields Conservation Area, so read the reserve notices first. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Crooked Pond at 1 mile is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Howes Pond in what we hold.