Hirsh Pond in Sullivan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Sullivan County, New York, is where Hirsh Pond sits. What surrounds it is rolling bush. At 11 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Sullivan County. For a base, Barryville sits 2 miles out. Paterson is the closest city, 56 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Hirsh Pond

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Fish documented in Sullivan County include brown trout, brook trout and smallmouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Hirsh Pond light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 23°F in January up to 69°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly late December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. At Hirsh Pond the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Verga Pond at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Hirsh Pond carry more weight than any list.