Description
Lake Dennison is a 90-acre great pond and impoundment of Lake Dennison Brook located off Rt. 202 in Winchendon. Lake Dennison has an average depth of 9 feet, a maximum depth of 18 feet and the water is tannic which limits transparency. Aquatic vegetation is infrequent with the exception of some scattered clusters of lily pads in the shallower margins of the lake. The entire shoreline falls within the Lake Dennison Recreation Area and except for a beach and campground the shores are undeveloped. Lake Dennison is a popular spot for swimming, camping, paddling, and fishing during summer.
Recreational access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages a gravel boat ramp suitable for trailered craft off of Royalston Road South on northwest corner of the lake (get directions). A second dirt access is located off New Boston Road and is suitable for cartop watercraft (get directions). Only electric motors are permitted on the lake and parking fees may apply. Shoreline access is abundant via footpaths surrounding the lake. Please contact the DCR offices of the Lake Dennison Recreation area for additional information, fee structures, camping opportunities, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Lake Dennison.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- white perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- banded sunfish
- brown bullhead
- yellow bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
Lake Dennison is stocked each spring and fall with trout.
Fishing
Lake Dennison is a fairly small lake and thus one that can be fished from either shore or boat quite effectively and easily. Abundant access via foot paths makes shore fishing for trout in spring easy. However, once warmer temperatures arrive, these fish will seek the deeper, colder areas, which will likely necessitate fishing for them from a boat. Largemouth bass and chain pickerel are abundant within habitats affording cover such as submerged trees or near weed beds but only occasionally do they reach larger sizes. Lake Dennison has produced largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, yellow perch, brook trout, tiger trout, rainbow trout and brown 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.