Oxbow Pond Fishing Spot

• County: Hampshire - Easthampton, MA
• Acreage: 204
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 7'
• Max Depth: 18'
• Bathymetry Map: View Oxbow Pond Bathymetry Map
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/dfw_pond/dfwoxbow.pdf
• Last Modified By: vinny60 on 08/18/09 05:41 PM
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The Oxbow is a fertile, 204-acre, warm water pond occupying the old riverbed of the Connecticut River. This horseshoe-shaped pond was formed when the river cut a new channel during postglacial times. Several small streams, including the Manhan River feed it. The bottom is predominantly muck interspersed with areas of gravel. Maximum depth is 18 feet, average depth is seven feet and transparency is low at four feet. Emergent aquatic plants cover about five percent of the surface area. The shoreline is about ten percent developed. A paved boat ramp and parking area maintained by the state Public Access Board is located off Route 91. Boat traffic can be heavy. The Oxbow is trisected into three basins by Route 91. The 123-acre central basin is the largest. It is connected via a channel at the south end with the lower basin and the Connecticut River. Boating is possible to and from the river and around the bend of the horseshoe. Only the upper 43-acre basin is isolated, connected to the other basins by only a small drainage pipe. The connection with the Connecticut River gives this pond a very diverse species composition. Listed in order of abundance, they are golden shiner, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, white perch, blueback herring, white sucker, brown bullhead, northern pike, channel catfish, black crappie, smallmouth bass, rock bass, fallfish and tiger muskie. Carp were observed but not counted. The northern pike represent a reproducing population.

This pond has a long reputation as a fish producer, particularly for largemouth bass and indigenous northern pike. There is a good stock density of quality size largemouths 12 inches or better, and several good pike up to 34 inches were sampled. Pike over 25 pounds have been taken here, and a trophy tiger muskie is always a possibility. Growth rates and condition factors of most species are above the state average due to an abundant forage base of golden shiners and thousands of small herring (the offspring of annual spring anadromous runs). It is possible that shortnose sturgeon may occasionally enter the pond from the river. If hooked, sturgeon should be released immediately and unharmed, as they are a rare, protected species.