PANFISH PONDS: KIDS INITIAL FISHING TRIP

With all the complications of modern day life, our leisure time is not what it used to be. We must make the best of the limited time that is available to us. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the easy fishing locations throughout the North Shore. These are the places that dad and the kids can go to, are easily fished and will provide young anglers with plenty of panfish to keep them interested in the sport.

We will be looking at local ponds that are easily fished from shore and have good populations of panfish. Some of these bodies of water have launching facilities or access for car toppers. All of these ponds support plenty of panfish that youngsters can enjoy and learn the basics of fishing.

I can remember when I first started to fish, my father had plenty of patience and was willing to cut his fishing trip short when I started to get restless. This is very important to the beginning fisherman. You don’t want him or her to feel trapped. As time goes on, young anglers will become more and more excited as they learn the art of fishing. The numbers of fish that will be caught will increase and so will the young angler’s patience. Before you know it, they will be hard pressed to leave the waters edge for fear that they will miss a fish.

A fishing trip for the kids should be kept simple. There will be no need for fancy rod and reel combinations, slick lures or fancy equipment. The rod and reel combination only has one requirement. That is the combo must be simple to operate and be of adequate quality to be trouble free. Nothing will discourage a young angler quicker than equipment failure. What will be necessary is a good supply of hooks, sinkers and floats. Night crawlers or garden worms will also be a must.

The best bait for early fishing trips will be worms. If the kids seem a bit squirmish about baiting the hook, don’t make a big deal about it, simply bait the hook for them. As the kids fish more, their reluctance to bait the hook will be lessened and before you know it they will be baiting your hook.

The first pond on our list of panfish possibilities is Flax Pond in Lynn. Flax is located between Broadway and Western Ave. Because of it’d inner city location it is overlooked by serious fishermen but is popular among young anglers.

Flax Pond is a 71 acre body of water with an average depth of 14 feet. The deepest hole is 29 feet and the bottom consists of sand and rubble. There is a good supply of aquatic growth throughout the pond. Access to the pond is good but there are no launching facilities. Because of it’s city setting, parking around the pond can be difficult, especially on weekends.

Flax Pond supports good populations of largemouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, black crappie, pumpkinseeds, bluegills and golden shiners. There is an abundance of perch in the pond and some individual fish reach lengths of 12 to 14 inches. Rarely are kids disappointed at Flax Pond as they always seem to catch something.

Horn Pond in Woburn is located just about a half-mile south of the town’s center. It has an average depth of 10 feet and a maximum depth of 40 feet. Horn Pond is a popular trout pond but by the time summer rolls along most trout fishermen have given up. Bass fishing in Horn is good. The abundance of perch that are present in this popular pond make it ideal for fast action and happy youngsters. This should be nicknamed Kids n’ perch.

The pond is not heavily populated and there is a paved boat ramp located at the southern end of the pond. Be aware that the city closes the ramp just before dark. Check regulations at the ramp upon your arrival.

There are many patches of vegetation but are limited to the coves and the shallow areas of the pond. Water transparency is about 6 feet. The last fish survey showed the presence of thirteen species of fish. They were according to abundance; yellow perch, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegill, killifish, chain pickerel, golden shiner, carp, white sucker, brook trout, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead and black crappie. Stocked rainbow trout were also in the pond.

Jamaica Pond in Boston is a heavily fish trout pond located within Boston city limits and is owned by the Boston Park Commission. Permits are required to fish Jamaica Pond and can be obtained at the Park Commission. The popular pond is 68 acres and has an average depth of 25 feet and the deepest spot measures out at 53 feet. Throughout the summer the perch populations are very active and young fishermen can score on a consistent basis. Popular baits include worms, small spinners and small jigs. No private boats are allowed on the pond but there is a boat livery located on the east side where boats can be rented.

Lake Pentucket in Haverhill is another spot for Kids n’ perch. In the most recent fish survey, yellow perch comprised the bulk of the fish present in the survey. Despite it’s urban location, Pentucket does not receive the fishing pressure that you would expect. There is a boat ramp located on the southeast corner of the pond and there is parking for 11 cars, Rowboats and canoes are allowed on the pond but motors are not. This restriction includes electric trolling motors.

Some of the most productive areas of the pond are located around the weed patches. Lily pads provide cover for perch and dropping a worm alongside the pads translates into fish. The perch in Pentucket are only of average size but the sheer numbers of perch in the pond make it a good stop with the kids. Worms are generally best with small spinners running a close second.

Pilling Pond in Lynnfield has to be included in the list of Kids n’ perch ponds. It is also one of my favorite ponds to take kids. Shore access is gained along Summer St. and there is a park with plenty of room for the added bonus of a picnic lunch. There are also benches along the shore which is a nice plus. There is no launching facility but car toppers and canoes can be launched from the road.

Pillings Pond is a 68 acre body of water with an average depth of less than 6 feet. There are numerous weed patches and enough underwater structure to make fishing interesting. Fishing from shore is best along Summer St. Along with the good numbers of perch that are present, don’t be surprised if you hook into a monster bass or snapping turtle. This is a great pond to take the novice fisherman. The park provides plenty of room for casting and shoreline trees are not so thick that they present a problem.

Lake Quannapowit in Wakefield is a shallow pond that is full of perch. This pond is located just off Rt. 128. It has an average depth of 6 feet with a maximum depth of 11 feet. The pond is popular among boaters and this can sometimes make fishing difficult. Parking is somewhat difficult as the parking and launching facilities located on the southwest end of the pond are limited to town residents. During the off season the lot is open to all.

Lake Quannapowit is a great place to take the kids fishing. I have done it on numerous occasions and have yet to be skunked. When the kids manage to catch fish, you become a champion in their eyes.

We have looked at a few of the better panfish ponds throughout the area. These ponds are generally productive and will provide a good time for the youngsters. It is something they will remember for a long time!