Description
Furnace Pond is a 115-acre great pond with an average depth of 5 feet and a maximum depth of 9 feet. Furnace Pond receives water from Oldham Pond and from cranberry bogs and drains into Herring Brook and eventually into the North River. The bottom is composed primarily of mud, and aquatic vegetation is abundant. Most of the 2.7 miles of shoreline is developed with year round houses. The pond is used as a secondary water supply for the City of Brockton and water is pumped from the pond into Silver Lake during the winter months.
Recreational access
The town of Pembroke manages a paved boat ramp suitable for trailered craft off of Mattakeesett Street (Route 14) on the ponds northern shore (get directions). Roadside parking is available along Mattakeesett Street and shoreline access is limited to areas adjacent to the launch. Cartop boat and shore access is also provided at the Furnace Pond town beach located off of Furnace Colony Drive on the southern shore (get directions). Parking here is limited to about 5 cars. Please contact the town of Pembroke for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Furnace Pond.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- white perch
- black crappie
- brown bullhead
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- golden shiner
- American eel
Fishing
Furnace Pond is known for its largemouth bass fishing. Largemouth here exhibit large average size with fish in the five to seven pound range reported consistently. Dense beds of aquatic vegetation make these fish difficult to catch as the summer progresses, but those comfortable with the use of weedless gear can expect to hook into a few. White perch and black crappie are also abundant and of good size. Furnace Pond has produced largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead 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.