South Pond

[UVandbeyond]

Hey fellas,
Long time browser but new to the board. Mostly fish the Upper Valley area but looking to hit some bigger and more remote waters this year as I got my 87 Polaris up and running. I can't stop thinking about South Pond in Stark, this place seems epic from all my armchair scouting but when I was up there last spring I could not find public access (park gate was closed). Is South Pond accessible during the winter? If i don't get in there soon I'm gonna start carrying a print out of the depth map around and calling it my precious..... Any info on this place would be much appreciated. Hope everyone's season is going strong at this point.
Flags UP

[NH Trout Fisherman]

Welcome to the Ice Shanty UV. I've never fished south pond but I have a buddy that occasionally uses the site who knows it well. I'll ask him to post some info for you. From what I remember him mentioning... access can be tough in the winter? He also mentioned catching some lakers there but nothing of any size. I'll give him a call and get you some info.

[StayPuft]

Hi There. I am a Stark native and have fished south pond extensively for many years. As far as the public access goes, if you continue straight on the road rather than turning right towards the gated road to the pond you will find yourself amongst some camps on "North Pond" which is connected to the bigger South Pond. There is a boat launch not far down that road with very limited parking on the right side, so get there early if you intend to take advantage of that. You can just scoot across the small pond, through the canal out to the big pond on a sled real easy. As far as the fishing goes, its a bit disappointing honestly. I can fully understand why one would be inclined to think the fishing would be outstanding just looking at the depth maps, but unfortunately that is not the case. There are lakers in the big pond, but they are horribly stunted. You will be hard pressed to take anything outside the 14-15 inch range. This has been that way for years and years to my knowledge, but has never been addressed as of yet. Nonetheless, its a fun pond with opportunities to catch some decent brookies, perch, pickerel, and there are usually some really nice bass taken each year as well. Also, south pond is home to the cusk(burbot) which are a real hoot pulling through the ice. Hope at least some of this can be helpful for you. Cheers!

[jibbs]

I think the the slot limit is smaller than most lakes...billion lakers but small..stocked rainbows in there as well...cold and windy up there ...access is just like the previous poster stated...Christine might be a better choice but access road is steep

[UVandbeyond]

Thanks Trout Fisherman for the referral and thanks StayPuft and jibbs for the info. Much appreciated. Bummer on the South pond prospects as far as lakers. Also been looking at Cedar pond, which seems like it is stocked to high heaven, and as jibbs mentioned Christine lake. Got out more locally today and iced my first ever laker, 21" what a bull dog at the hole, stellar on a 4# UL. Also picked up a 17.5" rainbow.

Flags UP

[jethro]

Yep, if you look at the NHFG depth map there is a restriction on lake trout for South Pond, that special restriction is you can take them at 15" instead of the 18" general rule. Must be overrun with them.

[Rando5512]

Nice fish UV! Christine has some nice browns in it but access can be very tough. The road leading up to it is very steep and not well maintained in the winter. And it can be very windy. Cedar Pond has a lot of baitfish but the rainbows are catchable. Access is very easy