Long Pond (Lakeville and Freetown)

Long Pond, on the Lakeville-Freetown line, is the largest natural pond in Massachusetts at 1,780 acres, and a well-known largemouth bass lake that hosts plenty of tournaments. It's big but shallow, averaging just 6 feet, with tea-stained water and boulders lurking under the surface. MassWildlife lists it as a best bet for trophy largemouth, crappie, yellow perch, pickerel and more.

When to fish

• Open water: largemouth bass, plus good white and yellow perch fishing. MassWildlife's surveys also found alewives and blueback herring in the pond.

Where to fish

• Anywhere shallow: the whole pond is shallow (15 feet at most) with 11 miles of shoreline, most of it lined with homes.
• Mind the boulders: MassWildlife warns that submerged boulders are a real hazard for boaters.

Getting there

The Town of Freetown runs a concrete ramp with parking for 47 trailers off Route 18 at the pond's southeast corner; a parking fee may apply on weekends and holidays, and shore fishing is limited to the ramp area. Invasive Asian clams live in the pond, so drain your live well and clean plants off your boat and trailer before you leave. There's a PFAS consumption advisory for the pond's fish. You need a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license, and small lead sinkers and lead jigs are banned in fresh water.