Mashpee-Wakeby Pond

Mashpee-Wakeby Pond, two connected ponds in Mashpee and Sandwich that together cover 737 acres, has what MassWildlife calls an outstanding fishery, and it's on the state's trophy lists for largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, perch, catfish and more. Sea-run herring swim up the Mashpee River into the pond, and MassWildlife says that food supply gives all its gamefish good growth. Trout are stocked every spring and fall.

When to fish

• Spring and fall: trout stockings.
• Open-water season: abundant largemouth and smallmouth bass; the pond hosts many bass tournaments.

Where to fish

• Two basins: Wakeby Pond is the northern basin, with three undeveloped islands; Mashpee Pond is the southern. An undeveloped peninsula, the Lowell Holly Reservation, separates them.
• Depth and bottom: the ponds average 30 feet and reach 95, over mostly rubble and gravel with some sand.
• Shore spots: the east shore north of the town ramp (MassWildlife land), the Lowell Holly trails, and Pickerel Cove.

Getting there

The Town of Mashpee's paved ramp, with a 30-car lot, is at the end of Fisherman's Landing Road on the southeast shore; the town charges for parking on summer weekends and holidays. The Trustees of Reservations' Lowell Holly Reservation, off South Sandwich Road, has an unimproved cartop launch and trails; outside swimming season its access road is closed, so park at the gate and walk in. For Pickerel Cove, park in the small lot off Main Street at Cove Road. There's a mercury and PFAS consumption advisory for the pond's fish, strictest for bass. You need a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license, and small lead sinkers and lead jigs are banned in fresh water.