Great Herring Pond

Great Herring Pond, on the Plymouth-Bourne line, sits at the head of the Bournedale herring run: its outlet flows to the Cape Cod Canal there, and MassWildlife's surveys found alewives and blueback herring in the pond. MassWildlife says the pond has good smallmouth bass and white perch fishing, and lists it as a best bet for trophy pickerel and yellow perch.

When to fish

• Any time: the herring give the gamefish and panfish plenty to eat, and MassWildlife says they grow fast.
• Summer: MassWildlife warns that the gamefish can be harder to catch when schools of young herring are everywhere. The pond is windswept and doesn't layer by temperature in summer.

Where to fish

• Points on the east shore: MassWildlife's first suggestion.
• Two sunken islands near the middle: its second.
• Depth: the pond averages 21 feet and reaches 47, over sand and rubble with mud in the deeper, sheltered spots.

Getting there

MassWildlife's gravel ramp, with parking for about six cars, is off Little Sandy Pond Road near Herring Pond Road. It's shallow, sandy and unimproved, so four-wheel drive is recommended if you're launching a trailered boat. There's a mercury advisory for smallmouth bass from the pond. River herring can't be taken in Massachusetts. You need a freshwater fishing license, and small lead sinkers and lead jigs are banned in fresh water.