Round Pond in Middlesex County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Set in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, this is Round Pond. The shore lies 18 miles out. The water covers some 25 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Nearest town is Tewksbury, 0.6 miles off. The nearest city of size is Lowell, 5 miles away. Round about: Richardson Pond within 1.4 miles, Ames Pond roughly 2.4 miles, Mud Pond within 2.7 miles, Haggetts Pond roughly 3.5 miles and College Pond within 4.4 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Round Pond

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Middlesex County include bluegill, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel and yellow perch. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. On Round Pond a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 72°F, the coldest about 25°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Ice clears near late March and comes back about late December in a typical year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. It holds true on Round Pond more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. A nature reserve borders this water, which usually brings restrictions. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Richardson Pond sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Round Pond if anything is unclear.