North Pond/lake Maspenock Fishing Spot

• County: USA
• Acreage: 234
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 8'
• Max Depth: 26'
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/ponds/pdf/dfwnrtho.pdf
• Last Modified By: smac531 on 06/13/11 10:33 PM
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This 234-acre, fertile great pond, also known as Lake Maspenock, is located about three-quarters of a mile west of Route 495 in Hopkinton. Maximum depth is 26 feet; average depth about eight feet. The bottom is composed primarily of muck and mud, but there is plenty of scattered structure in the form of rocks, rubble and the occasional fallen tree. The shorelines are heavily developed with year round homes. Aquatic vegetation is common to abundant, and appears to be increasing steadily. A study is underway to reduce the problem (accelerated eutrophication) by installing local sewerage. Boat and shore-fishing access is limited primarily to an undeveloped site owned by the Public Access Board and located on the south side of West Main Street between the northern causeways. There is parking space for approximately eight vehicles here, but launching is limited by current conditions to car top boats and canoes. This site is expected to be improved in the future. Historically, and particularly during the ice fishing season, access and limited parking has also been available at the base of the southernmost “island” (Sandy Island) which juts from the eastern shore near the center of the pond. Fish Populations: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, black crappie, white catfish and golden shiner. White perch and white catfish dominated the sample.

Fishing is always a good gamble at this pond, although success is never guaranteed. Both the white and yellow perch are abundant and of large average size, and there are fair numbers of large bass, pickerel and crappie (“calicos”). White catfish offer an exciting resource not found in many Massachusetts waters, and these fish are fairly common in the three-to-six pound size range. Due to the relatively poor access, fishing pressure is generally fairly low except during the winter, when ice fishermen descend in droves. For reasons which are never clear, action at this time seems to be either very hot or very cold: nearly fishless days interspersed with days when it is nearly impossible to keep five tip-ups baited and in the water at the same time.

Pike are present but rare.
Bridle Shiner are an endangered species and live on this lake. Any Bridle Shiner kept or delayed being put back in the water can put you in prison.