Mansfield Hollow Lake

Mansfield Hollow Lake (DEEP also calls it Naubesatuck Lake) is a 460-acre flood-control reservoir in Mansfield, set inside a state park and split in two by Bassett Bridge Road. It's one of the four lakes DEEP stocks every year for northern pike, and pike, especially through the ice, are its big draw. It also holds largemouth, pickerel, perch and crappie, plus trout that wash down from the stocked rivers feeding it.

When to fish

• First ice and all winter: The Fisherman's writer keeps "The Hollow" on his list of go-to ice-fishing spots for pike, with fish of 15 to 20 pounds taken through the ice. First ice can be very good, but be extremely careful.
• Spring and fall: trout drop down from the Natchaug, Mount Hope and Fenton rivers, which DEEP stocks heavily.
• Summer: The Fisherman suggests deeper water may be best in the hot months.
• Year-round: the lake is open all year.

Where to fish

• Northwest of the Bassett Bridge Road launch: the bottom drops to about 15 feet, one of the deepest spots in the lake.
• Coves and transitions to deeper water: The Fisherman's writer prefers these for pike and bass through the ice rather than the deepest holes.
• The Natchaug inlet (east side): where river trout enter the reservoir.

How to fish it

For trophy pike through the ice, set tip-ups with large dead baits in the coves and along drop-offs. Big pike also grab small worm-tipped panfish jigs, so be ready while you wait for flags.

Getting there

The state launch is on Bassett Bridge Road (from Route 6, take Old Willimantic Road and Bates Road), with a gravel lot for about 50 cars. There's a low speed limit, no water-skiing and no swimming. The state park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset with no fee, and alcohol is prohibited. Mansfield Hollow is both a Bass Management Lake and a Northern Pike Lake, with special limits for both; check the Connecticut Freshwater Fishing Guide.