Upper Mystic Lake Fishing Spot

• Acreage: 200
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 40'
• Max Depth: 85'
• Elevation: 9'
• Bathymetry Map: View Upper Mystic Lake Bathymetry Map
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/habitat/maps-ponds/dfwupper.pdf
• Last Modified By: samf on 12/08/13 03:48 PM
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This fertile, 200-acre lake is located about a mile and a half south of Winchester center. It is fed by the Aberjona River and two smaller inlets, and the outlet, located at the south end of the lake, is the Mystic River. Maximum depth is approximately 85 feet; average depth is 40 feet (although the two upper basins are very shallow). Transparency is poor, roughly three feet, due to the high fertility of the water. Submerged aquatic vegetation is limited by the poor transparency, but emergent vegetation is abundant in the shallow northern basin, moderate in the middle basin, and scattered around the western and eastern shores of the deep southern basin. While surrounding areas are highly developed, the shorelines of this lake are only moderately developed with homes and boating clubs, and the eastern and southern shores are fully protected as parkland by the Metropolitan District Commission.
Shoreline access is excellent along the eastern and southern shores, and there are smaller accessible sections scattered elsewhere around the pond. Boat access is provided by a paved launching ramp (presently in poor condition but suitable for small boats) located off the Mystic Valley Parkway near the lake’s outlet.

The last fisheries survey, conducted in 1981, recorded 13 species: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, goldfish, carp, white sucker, golden shiner, American eel and alewife.

The high fertility of this lake, combined with a good forage base in the form of alewives and golden shiners, results in above average growth rates for many of the species found here. Large bass and pickerel are not uncommon, a fact which is enhanced by generally low fishing pressure (the result of the poor boat access). Most fishing takes place from shore, and though rarely unproductive, it allows numerous gamefish to grow large in the great expanse of water beyond the reach of shore casters. Unfortunately, occasional fish kills (the result of low oxygen concentrations usually caused by algae blooms) may tend to limit the potential maximum size of at least some fish.
Panfish are particularly abundant in this lake and will provide plenty of action. This is also good carp water: anglers fishing with corn or doughballs report catches of lunkers over 15 pounds. Due to the urban surroundings it is probably not advisable to fish here after dark.