Fishing Muskrat Pond in Washington County, Oregon

• Overview

  Muskrat Pond is one of the Washington County waters in Oregon. The country here is pine and hardwood. A splashy cast here empties the swim; a quiet one owns it. Our Washington County list holds plenty of bigger water. Forest Grove lies 4.7 miles from the water. Cornelius lies 6.4 miles off, Yamhill another 8.5 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Muskrat Pond

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Washington County include common carp, yellow perch, brown bullhead, largemouth bass and black crappie. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Fish Muskrat Pond to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  August is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 65°F, while December sits near 39°F. The awkward stretch is midsummer, not midwinter. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. On Muskrat Pond the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Stimson Millpond sits 1.3 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Muskrat Pond before loading the car.