Bowler Pond is one of several small ponds of similar size in Palermo. Suitable access for canoes and small boats is available on the Level Hill Road. An unimproved launch
site can be used thanks to the courtesy of a private landowner. Bowler Pond has a number of natural populations of
warmwater sportfish. Smallmouth bass became established in the 1950's and have now become overpopulated resulting
in poor growth. A popular white perch fishery has developed due to the larg~r-than~average size fish. Although the warmwater fish of Bowler Pond are
viewed as strong competitors with brook trout, trout stocking programs have been successful here for over 40
years. Returns to anglers coupled with excellent growth rates and good survival rates warrant continuing the
program. Brook trout survive in this pond despite marginal water quality during the summer months when oxygen
content is depressed in the deeper, cooler waters. Trout likely survive due to spring seeps into the pond. A stocking
program is required to maintain this fishery because Bowler Pond lacks sufficient spawning and nursery habitat for natural reproduction.