Pickerel Pond near Ludlow: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Pickerel Pond lies in Hampden County, Massachusetts. It sits at 230 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 4 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Our Hampden County list holds plenty of bigger water. 0.8 miles away sits Ludlow, the nearest town. The nearest city of size is Springfield, 7.5 miles away. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Pickerel Pond

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Fish documented in Hampden County include bluegill, white sucker, pumpkinseed and brook trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. The shape of Pickerel Pond decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 71°F in July and bottoms out near 24°F in January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late March. Ice clears near late March and comes back about late December in a typical year. June through September is the settled part of the year, with the shoulders busier for fish. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Pickerel Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Should this one be busy, Wood Pond is 0.5 miles off. What applies at Pickerel Pond may have changed since it was mapped.