Fishing Norcross Ponds in Hampden County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Set in Hampden County, Massachusetts, this is Norcross Ponds. Land around it is mixed forest. Surface area runs to about 6 acres — small enough to read in one session. Some 2.7 miles away sits Wales, the nearest settlement. The big place round here is Springfield, 17 miles distant. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Norcross Ponds

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Survey and observation records for Hampden County include bluegill, white sucker and pumpkinseed. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. On Norcross Ponds the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 23°F and July at about 69°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early April. Open water usually runs from early April until about late December. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. At Norcross Ponds the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. The water borders Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, so expect the reserve rules to apply. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Norcross Pond Number Two at 0.2 miles is the sensible second choice. None of that is settled for Norcross Ponds in what we hold.