Description
Lake Mattawa is a 118-acre great pond and impoundment of North Pond Brook located just south of Route 2 in Orange. Lake Mattawa has an average depth of 17 feet, a maximum depth of 43 feet and the bottom is predominately gravel and sand. The presence of numerus underwater springs contribute to clear water that is typically transparent to 15 feet or more. The shoreline is 75% developed with year round homes and summer cottages. Recreational usage in the summer is high including swimming, fishing and sailing.
Recreational access
The town of Orange manages a small concrete boat ramp off of Lake Mattawa Road on the north shore (get directions). Be careful when launching as there is limited room to maneuver and the ramp has a steep drop off. Cartop boats may be launched at several locations along Lake Mattawa Rd. and shore access is permitted here as well including along the northern tip of Holtshire Rd. Parking is limited to the shoulder of Lake Mattawa Rd. and outboard motors are restricted to 10hp or less by town ordnance. Please contact the town of Orange for additional information and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Lake Mattawa.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- white perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- brown bullhead
- yellow bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
- rainbow smelt
- banded killifish
Lake Mattawa is also stocked each spring and fall with trout.
Fishing
Lake Mattawa maintains a layer of cold, oxygenated water throughout the warm summer months which allows stocked trout to survive multiple seasons. Trout can be caught year round but anglers will find the best action in the spring and fall. Lake Mattawa has a reputation for producing trophy trout some in the 4-5 lb range. Furthermore, the presence of both largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as considerable numbers of good sized yellow perch and sunfish make Lake Mattawa an ideal place to spend a day fishing. Lake Mattawa has produced largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, bullhead, black crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, white perch, brown trout, rainbow trout, brook 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.