Marys Pond (Rochester)

Marys Pond in Rochester is a small, clear, sandy-bottomed trout pond that MassWildlife stocks every spring and fall with brook, brown, rainbow and tiger trout. The Fisherman's writer calls it an excellent place to take kids: the shoreline is easy to wade, there's little to snag on, and deep water is within casting range. In summer the bass take over.

When to fish

• Spring and fall: the busiest times, right after the trout stockings.
• Summer: trout move down to 20 to 30 feet, and largemouth and smallmouth bass (mostly 12 to 17 inches) are the popular targets. The pond is busy with boaters in summer.
• Fall: the southeast end gets even shallower and less productive when the neighboring bogs are flooded for harvest.

Where to fish

• The 32-foot hole: off the northwest end, within casting range of shore; look for the boulders near the old bathhouse.
• The southwest corner: near Mary's Pond Road, the bottom drops off sharply within casting distance.
• Drop-offs at the north, west and east ends: the most productive areas, according to The Fisherman.
• The east edge along the bogs: a small, deep channel created by flooding and draining the bogs.

How to fish it

Wade and cast small spinners and spoons over the deeper water, or fish nightcrawlers or dough bait on the bottom in the deep hole. From a small boat or canoe, troll small spoons and minnow plugs along the eastern edge by the bogs.

Getting there

The Town of Rochester's cartop launch is off Perrys Lane on the west shore, with parking for about 20 cars; only electric motors are allowed. Don't park on Mary's Pond Road. The whole shoreline can be waded. There's a mercury consumption advisory for fish from the pond (it doesn't cover stocked trout). You need a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license, and small lead sinkers and lead jigs are banned in fresh water.