Fishing Niles Pond in Essex County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Niles Pond falls in Essex County, part of Massachusetts. The surface lies 10 feet up. With some 34 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. It lies lower than most water we list in Massachusetts. Gloucester sits 1.7 miles from the bank. Further out sit Rockport (4.8 miles) and Manchester-by-the-Sea (5.8 miles). The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Niles Pond

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Being tidal, the water moves twice a day, and the fishing moves with it. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Essex County include Atlantic cod, alewife, bluegill, striped bass and pumpkinseed. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Niles Pond fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 70°F, with January the cold end at about 28°F. Some winters cap it and some do not. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Niles Pond runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. The water borders Robbins, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Buswell Pond, 1.7 miles away. For Niles Pond, the notice at the access point is the final word.