Spring is the best time of year to visit this lake. Because of its Cape Cod location, the pond is heavily used by recreational water lovers throughout the summer. In March, the water is too cold for most non-anglers. Boaters will find a small paved boat-launching ramp on the southeastern end of the lake. Take Exit 2 off Route 6 onto Route 130 south. Turn left onto Sandwich-Cotuit Road. After two miles, turn right onto John Ewer Road. The ramp is on the right at the bottom of the hill.

Cliff Pond
Just a few exits away from Peters Pond, bass anglers will find another kettle gem. Cliff Pond covers 204 acres with a deep pit of 88 feet. The average depth is 28 feet, and the water is exceedingly clear with visibility more than 20 feet. For scenic value, the pond is buffered by Nickerson State Park and surrounded by cliffs, which give the pond its name.

This pond is extensively managed for trout, a practice that has occurred here since the very early 1900s. This lake was reclaimed in 1960 to rid its waters of unwanted panfish and rainbow smelts. Today, anglers will find yellow perch, smallmouth bass and brown bullheads as well as stocked brown and rainbow trout.

Smallmouth bass have plenty of alewives to feed upon. Lures mimicking this little baitfish should produce nice action. Because of the water’s depth, bass anglers need to pay attention to water temperature and sunlight. In early spring, smallmouths are attracted to warming shorelines, especially on the northern end of this lake and around the large points east of the boat-launching area.

Anglers will find two access points to Cliff Pond within Nickerson State Park. Take Exit 12 off Route 6 and follow the signs to the park. Those with small cartop boats should use the sand ramp on Flax Pond Road.

Trailered boaters need to use the cement launch ramp on Nook Road. The entire shoreline of the pond is accessible to fishermen. Park rules impose a 10-horsepower motor limit on Cliff Pond.

Lake Garfield
During the summer, bass anglers avoid Lake Garfield because of launching problems and crowding. But during the early spring, neither issue should bother anglers. Boaters will find a nice public boat-launching ramp and parking lot at the lake’s extreme western end. Once swimming season starts, the ramp is generally closed and access is restricted.

March bass fishermen will find largemouth and smallmouth bass on this 262-acre lake. It is fairly deep, with a basin 31 feet deep and a 16-foot average depth. The state stocks the lake with trout. Chain pickerel also tend to chew on bass lures.

The water is usually clear during the spring season, so anglers should have little trouble finding submerged boulders and manmade structures to cast around. While the pond has a healthy aquatic weed base, the green stuff should still be stunted while you’re fishing the early-spring season.

The lake’s bass will feed on young perch, shiners and bluegills. In early spring, smallmouths often feed on yellow perch eggs that the perch broadcast on the bottom. Cast small pink tube lures under schools of spawning perch. You’ll be surprised at how many smallmouth bass will respond. Lures mimicking golden shiners or crayfish are also good bets for Lake Garfield.