Fishing at Stearns Pond, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire

• Overview

  Stearns Pond lies in Hillsborough County, in New Hampshire. The surface lies 732 feet up. Mont Vernon sits 0.5 miles from the bank. Then Lyndeborough, 4.3 miles, and Wilton, 4.4 miles. Water in the same corner: 1 mile out stands Woods Pond, Jakes Pond (3.4 miles), 3.6 miles out stands Joe English Pond, McGregors Pond (4.2 miles) and 4.5 miles out stands Bailey Pond. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Stearns Pond

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Reported across Hillsborough County: rainbow trout, largemouth bass, brown trout, smallmouth bass and bluegill. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Stearns Pond gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 69°F and January near 21°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Stearns Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Woods Pond, 1 mile away. Check the position at Stearns Pond before loading the car.