Lake Quannapowitt Fishing Spot

• Acreage: 254
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 6'
• Max Depth: 11'
• Elevation: 81'
• Bathymetry Map: View Lake Quannapowitt Bathymetry Map
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/ponds/pdf/dfwquann.pdf
• Last Modified By: carpmaster on 05/15/12 12:25 AM
• Ask about Lake Quannapowitt in our Fishing Forums

This fertile, 254-acre pond, also known as Quannapowitt Reservoir, is located less than a quarter mile from Route 128 in Wakefield. Maximum depth is only 11 feet; average depth is six feet. The bottom is composed of gravel and mud. Aquatic vegetation is abundant, but limited primarily to the shallows along the marshy western and northern shores. Transparency is poor at four feet, and caused by an abundance of suspended algae. The shorelines are moderately developed with residential homes.
Public access is provided by a boat ramp located at the southwestern end of the lake off Northern Avenue. It is suitable for small trailer boats, car top boats and canoes. The parking area can accommodate up to 10 vehicles. Shore fishing is possible along most of the southern shore thanks to a town park and cemetery.

This lake was last surveyed in 1979, at which time eight warm water species were recorded: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead and golden shiner. The chain pickerel and white perch dominated the sample. Tiger muskie fingerlings were stocked here on several occasions from 1978 to 1991.

Despite its obvious fertility, this lake does not appear to be very productive. Operations directed at sampling tiger muskies in the spring of 1992 failed to find any of these fish, although presumably some have survived and reached legal size (28 inches). Chain pickerel — historically the number one gamefish here — appear to have declined dramatically. The only fish, which appear abundant, are the white perch. Overall, it appears that this lake supports fish populations of low density, but it regularly produces individual fish — largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegills — of large size. It is the availability of these scarce lunkers that provides the best incentive to fish this pond, but anglers could do well by targeting the white perch. During the warm months, try trolling a tiny spinner rigged with a worm-baited trailer hook. Jigging through the ice could also be very productive.

Be warned.... Children younger than 12 years or age, pregnant women, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant,
and nursing mothers should not eat any of the carp from this water body. While the general public should limit consumption of carp to two meals per month.

Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield, Massachusetts is a popular setting for walkers, joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers off Route 128 in Middlesex County. It is the site of many organized races from 5Ks to Ultra Marathons. Since 1992, Friends of Lake Quannapowitt is an organization that has worked to fulfill its goal of promoting public awareness and providing long-term protection and enhancement of Lake Quannapowitt and its environs. Large amounts of tar were found in the lake some years ago. The lake is emptied by the Saugus River.