Description
Big Benton Pond, also known as Lake Winiscutt or simply Big Pond, is a 327-acre great pond located approximately a mile north of Route 23 in Otis. Big Benton Pond has an average depth of 15 feet, a maximum depth of 34 feet and water transparency typically extends to 10 feet. Aquatic vegetation is scarce and the bottom is composed of barren rock and sand. Except for the swampy northern shore, the shoreline is heavily developed with permanent and seasonal residences.
Recreational access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages a concrete boat ramp suitable for trailered craft and 15 car parking area on the pond outlet (get directions). Boaters must navigate roughly 1/2-mile up the outlet to get into the main body of the pond. Cartop boat and shore access is also possible at the Otis Town Beach at the end of Great Woods Rd on the northern shore (get directions). A town issued sticker is required to park here. Please contact the DCR offices of Tolland State Forest or the town of Otis for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Big Benton Pond.
The concrete boat ramp on the outlet of Big Benton Pond.
Parking at concrete ramp on the outlet of Big Benton Pond.
Cartop access at the Otis town beach on the northern shore.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- white perch
- brown bullhead
- pumpkinseed
- bluegill
- white sucker
- golden shiner
- common shiner
- banded killifish
Big Benton Pond is stocked each spring with trout.
Fishing
Big Benton Pond is best accessed via watercraft due to limitations in shore access. Trout fishing is best after stocking in April and May but trout can be caught into the summer months in deeper water. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are abundant in and around the structure provided by the numerous islands and rocks. This is also an excellent pond for ice fishing, producing an occasional large chain pickerel along with large numbers of nice yellow perch. Recreational use of the pond is high during the summer months so plan accordingly. Big Benton Pond has produced chain pickerel, yellow perch and rainbow trout that meet minimum sizes for recognition by the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.
More fishing resources:
Stop aquatic hitchhikers
Prevent the transport of nuisance species; clean all recreational equipment. Visit ProtectYourWaters.net to learn more.