This 71.5-acre body of water is a typically weedy New England pond. It has a deep basin of 18 feet, deepened by a small dam on the south end of the lake. The average depth is 8 feet with a muddy bottom, which promotes weed growth. Coontail and milfoil are the dominant aquatic weeds. Curly-leaved pondweed, often called "cabbage" by bass anglers, is also present.

For the most part, Hatch Pond lacks structure. The best strategy is "keep casting and cover every inch of water." Look for sunny banks, emerging spring weeds and the occasional fallen tree when fishing for largemouth bass here.

Hatch Pond will also yield yellow perch and black crappies. The sunfish in this pond also seem to grow bigger than average. If you catch a strange- looking, pike-shaped fish, it is probably a redfin pickerel. This rare fish has a small population in Hatch Pond and most anglers release them promptly. They are most susceptible to anglers in early spring as they spawn in the shallow waters.

The access is on the southern end of the lake off South Kent Road. Take Route 7 into Kent. In the center of town, turn onto Route 341 east. After about one mile, turn right onto South Kent Road for two miles, and then turn right onto Bulls Bridge Road across the railroad tracks. The gravel cartop ramp is about 100 yards past the tracks.

A Connecticut resident fishing license costs $20 for the season. Non-resident license fees are $40 for the season or $16 for a three-day permit.

For more fishing and licensing information, contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Inland Fisheries Division, 79 Elm St., Hartford, CT 06106, or call (860) 424-3475.

For tourism information, write to the Connecticut Tourism Division, 14 Rumford St., West Hartford, CT 06107, or call (800) 282-6863.

MASSACHUSETTS
Billington Sea
While hardly the briny deep, Billington Sea does offer oceans of largemouth bass-fishing opportunities. The hourglass-shaped lake covers 269 acres to a maximum depth of 11 feet. Its average depth is 7 feet. This shallow water, coupled with a dark, muddy bottom, means Billington warms quickly in spring. Anglers should find plenty of largemouth bass action here this month.

Aquatic vegetation is extremely abundant throughout the lake. Depending on the winter weed kill and the spring sunlight, the weed growth will range from dense to sparse.

Some areas that seem to produce best during the early season are the island off the boat launch ramp, the neck area between the east and west basins, and the sun-drenched northern shoreline.

According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, bass anglers will also encounter chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch and all the sunfish species. The golden shiner is the primary largemouth bass forage, but a fish ladder has been installed to allow sea-run alewives to migrate into the lake. During the spring alewife runs, baits mimicking that baitfish can prove deadly.

The boat ramp is unimproved. You will need a good 4wd vehicle to get a trailer boat into the lake. Cartop boats and canoes are better suited for fishing the Billington Sea. Also, most of the northern shoreline is open for bank-fishing.

To get there, take Exit 6 off Route 3 in Plymouth. Travel west on Route 44 for about one mile. Turn left onto Seven Hills Road. At South Meadow Road, turn left toward the boat ramp and shore access.