Description
Fort Pond is a 79-acre great pond located off of Route 70 in Lancaster. The average depth of Fort pond is 25 feet with a maximum of 51 feet and the water is typically transparent to roughly 10 feet. The bottom is composed of cobble with areas of muck and aquatic vegetation is sparse in part due to the relative steepness of the sides of the pond. The shores of Fort Pond are 90% developed with year round houses, camps, and cottages.
Recreational access
MassWildlife manages a concrete boat ramp and adjacent parking (get directions) area suitable for 2 trailers located off of Fort Pond Rd. on the south west corner of the pond. Shoreline access is limited to areas immediately adjacent to the ramp. Please contact the Central District office of MassWildlife for additional information, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Fort Pond.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- yellow bullhead
- American eel.
Fort Pond is stocked each spring and fall with trout.
Fishing
Fort Pond maintains a layer of cold, oxygenated water throughout the warm summer months which enables trout to survive for multiple seasons. While a few larger (2+ pound) trout are taken each year, the majority of trout caught will have been stocked in the present year. Largemouth bass in the 8"-12" size range are very numerous with an occasional larger fish; yellow perch exceeding one pound have also been reported. Fort Pond has produced largemouth bass, yellow perch, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and tiger 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.