Russells Pond is a small (4 acres), natural pond with an average depth of three feet and a maximum depth of only seven feet. It drains into Sawmill Pond (also known as Moning’s or Stone Pond), another small pond (4 acres) immediately to the east. The shorelines of the pond are sparsely developed with a town conservation area located between the ponds. Both ponds get very weedy in the summer with Sawmill Pond often having a heavy algae bloom. The bottom is primarily muck with sand and gravel along the shoreline. These artificial ponds were formerly controlled by the Plymouth Cordage Company (located in the area now known as Cordage Park). The ponds are fed by springs and Sawmill Pond is fed by a small flow that originates near Route 3. Access: Russell and Sawmill Ponds are located in north Plymouth near the Kingston Line and the Cordage Parks area. The ponds can be reached from Route 3A, by taking Cherry Street. At the lights on Cherry Street next to the Hedges School, take a right and head northwest on Standish Avenue, and then take the first left (Bourne Street) after the Hedges School. The two ponds are separated by a causeway at the end of the road. Small canoes and boats can be launched at several places and there are several openings for shorefishing. Fish Populations: A July 26, 1991 survey observed largemouth bass, chain pickerel and sunfish (probably both bluegill and pumpkinseeds). Golden shiners and American eel are also expected to occur in the pond. Both ponds are annually stocked in the spring with brook trout and rainbow trout.
Russell and Sawmills Ponds are heavily stocked in the spring with brook trout and also with rainbow trout. Both ponds, particularly Russell Pond, hold trout over the summer. These are good ponds to bring children fishing while adults can get the opportunity to catch some nice holdover brook trout.