Bullhead Pond is fairly secluded, and has an easier approach, both by foot and with canoe in tow. Surrounded by tamaracks, this lake gives a real backcountry feel with less effort than many other bodies of water.
Key takeaways
- Distance: 1.2 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 130 feet
Hiking to Bullhead Pond
This is a short and easy pond to reach. The trail is in excellent condition. The majority of the trail is flat right up to the last 100 feet where you will descend steeply to the shore. In the fall the colors are fantastic, and even late in the fall the tamaracks show their gold. At 0.45 miles in you may notice a yellow-marked trail off on your right. This leads down to a fish barrier dam, which can be crossed to reach a campsite near the pond.
Bullhead Pond in the winter
This trail doesn't see much traffic in the winter, but could make for a nice snowshoe or cross-country ski. If you decide to throw your skis on, take care at the final descent to the pond, and be prepared for all winter conditions.
Fishing
The carry is the tough part about this pond, but it hasn't stopped many from doing it, shown by the large boats on the shore. The carry has great footing and a cart could even be used on this one. While a lighter boat would be best for the carry, it really isn't necessary. The pond has a slight bend to it as you will see from shore as it disappears behind a peninsula.
The shore fishing is pretty decent and you don't have to adventure around the pond too much to get to them. If you head to the right along the shore you can hop the outlet on some downed logs and fish a nice grassy area. Heading in both directions you can get out a bit onto the rocks. Waders would get you out a bit further in areas where its more shallow.
Fish species: brook trout
Paddling
This body of water is well protected from wind and most bad weather situations. It would be a great pond to use a SUP on as well.
How to get there
From the intersection of Route 30 and Route 28 in Indian Lake follow Route 28 for 1.3 mile toward North Hudson to Chain Lake Road on the left. Follow Chain Lake Road for a couple miles to the trailhead on the left.