Pleasant Pond, located in Denmark, Fryeburg and Brownfield, is actually a large backwater of the Saco River and its size fluctuates depending upon flows within the river. The fishable area of the pond is quite a bit smaller than a topographic map indicates due to expansive areas of shallow wetlands. There is little development along the shorelines, which gives the pond a remote character.

Fishing

The pond is homothermous and lacks suitable habitat for salmonids. However, the pond provides excellent fishing for perch and pickerel, and it also produces some quality-size largemouth bass. Other fish present are creek chubsucker, golden shiners, yellow perch, white suckers, chain pickerel, hornpout (bullhead) and pumpkinseed sunfish.

Water quality: Moderate

High phosphorus levels in Pleasant Pond are due largely to riverine input from the Saco. Because of the naturally high color in the pond, there is less light penetration into the water column. This characteristic helps limits the amount of algae present during periods of elevated phosphorus. Pleasant Pond is in the MODERATE degree of concern category.  

2012 water-testing summary

The 2012 Secchi disk reading of 1.4 meters was significantly less deep than the long-term average of 2.7 meters.  Dissolved oxygen depletion was not observed in the water column during August sampling. Phosphorus concentrations in the surface waters were very high at 26.0 ppb, which is above the long term average of 21.8 ppb. Conductivity was 31, which is above the long term average of 27 μs.  pH was 6.3, which is below the long term average of 6.5. Chlorophyll levels were 4.2 ppb, which is below the long-term average of 5.3 ppb.  Alkalinity was the same as the long term average of 7 ppm and color was 66 SPU, which is above the long term average of 60 SPU.

2012 average vs. long-term average