Shaw Pond Fishing Spot

• Acreage: 100
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 13'
• Max Depth: 19'
• Elevation: 1357'
• Bathymetry Map: View Shaw Pond Bathymetry Map
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/ponds/pdf/dfwshawp.pdf
• Last Modified By: carpmaster on 08/07/09 07:43 PM
• Ask about Shaw Pond in our Fishing Forums

This 100-acre warm water pond has a maximum depth of 19 feet and an average depth of 13 feet. Transparency is only fair, extending to 9 feet, and the bottom is composed of primarily of muck, with some gravel along the point on the western shore and some rubble and clay along the eastern shore. Aquatic vegetation is relatively abundant and highly varied, ranging from bog species at the north end to submergents and emergents, which range from the vicinity of the boat ramp along the entire length of the southern shoreline. Development is moderate, but shore fishing is virtually precluded due to private ownership of much of the shoreline.
A Public Access Board ramp managed by the Division of Forests and Parks provides access. This single, surfaced ramp is located on the east side of Route 8 on the southwestern shore of the pond and can only accommodate shallow draft boats, car top boats and canoes. It is adjacent to a parking lot with space for approximately 10 vehicles.

The pond was last surveyed in 1982, at which time nine species were recorded present: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, golden shiner, white sucker and common shiner. Bluegill, black crappie, bridled shiner and tessellated darter have been recorded in past surveys. The pond received a small stocking of northern pike in 1985.

This pond contains abundant structure and the surroundings are pleasant, but angle rs seeking gamefish action may be disappointed. Based on the survey, pickerel are the number one gamefish to target. Though not overly abundant or of large average size, they far outnumber the bass, which are relatively scarce and of small average size. Historically this pond has been subject to wide oscillations of various fish populations, however, and bass may again resume the dominant gamefish niche.
Panfish populations are negligible except for the yellow perch, which are abundant. A significant proportion of the population is in the 9 to 12 inch size range, indicating there is only limited fishing pressure on this species. Jigging through the ice should be very rewarding. Although returns have been poor, there is always the possibility of catching an enormous northern pike left over from the 1985 stocking.