There are no special bass size or creel limits, but the possession of live alewives, herring or shad as bait is prohibited. These baitfish species compete with kokanee salmon and have been shown to be a contributing factor in the salmon’s decline around the state.

Access to the lake is through a state-owned boat-launching ramp in New Hartford. At the end of the high-speed Route 8, turn eastward on Route 44. Watch for signs about two miles from the turn. Because the pond is stocked with trout, fishing is prohibited between April 1 and the third Saturday in April.

MASSACHUSETTS

This clear lake in the town of Lee will make anglers feel as if they’ve been transported to a remote mountain bass sanctuary. Biologists report that the lake’s clarity can often exceed 15 feet. The only downside to fishing the lake is that most of the shoreline is privately owned with cottage development.

Goose Pond can be divided into two sections. The main lake, which encompasses about 180 of its overall 225 acres, has a deep basin of 45 feet. Most of the main-lake section is less than 15 feet deep. Spring anglers should start fishing the northern shore for smallmouth bass in the morning. When things warm up, switch to the shallow southern end for largemouth bass.

A smaller section is isolated in the extreme northern portion of the lake where anglers will find the shoreline deeper and rockier. You can get to this area through a narrow channel. This “other” pond has a 30-foot basin and a modest shoal. Look for both largemouth and smallmouth bass along the northern bank. In the center of this pond is a sunken hump that has been known to produce smallmouth bass.

Boat access is via a launch ramp on the southwest corner of the lake. Take Exit 2 off the Massachusetts Turnpike and travel east on Route 20 for about one mile to Forest Street. Turn south and follow Forest Street to the launch ramp.

In spring, expect to share the ramp with trout anglers, as the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife stocks the pond with trout.

Shaw Pond

Anglers driving on the Massachusetts Turnpike through Becket have probably seen this pond from the highway. If you were one of them and were wondering if the pond is a good place to fish, the answer is yes.

Both largemouth and smallmouth bass live in the 100-acre pond, which has a maximum depth of 19 feet and an average depth of 13 feet. Much of the bottom is muck intermixed with gravel areas. Aquatic plants are prevalent during the summer months.

The better spring fishing can be found along the northern shore in the bog area. Largemouth bass seek out the shallow warming waters that can be found here.

For smallmouth bass, try fishing around the gravel points in the center of the lake.

Shaw Pond has a large pickerel population. Rig your reels with slightly heavier line to withstand the pickerel’s sharp teeth. Also, yellow perch are plentiful and could provide some fishing fun when bass fishing slows down.

The state boat ramp is on the west side of the lake on Route 8 about one mile south of the Route 8-Route 20 junction in West Becket.

Big Alum Pond

For many anglers, spring means smallmouth bass fishing. If that is your target, then visit Big Alum Pond in Sturbridge. This 195-acre pond features clear water, with visibility deeper than 15 feet, and loads of main-lake points for your smallmouth pleasure.

The average depth in the lake is 23 feet. Because of this, the lake gets a hefty supply of trout. Bass anglers will have to share a relatively small boat ramp, which holds about 25 cars and trailers.