Pierce Pond

Pierce Pond is a lake in Carter County, Montana and covers about 1.73 acres.

The small size of Pierce Pond makes quiet casts and short moves more useful than carrying a pile of tackle.

Fish and Baits

Near the first edge of a shaded bank, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

Near the lower edge of an open-water break, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.

How to Read the Water

Beside the open side of a gravel shelf, use wind as a clue; a light push can carry food toward a bank, but hard wind may muddy it, so look for a clean edge near a point or protected pocket.

Season by Season

Beside the shallow corner of an inlet turn, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.

A Simple Tackle Plan

Across the inside edge of a shaded bank, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.

Across the outside edge of a rocky point, record the wind, water color, depth of the first bite, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.