Description
Lake Quinsigamond is an 800-acre great pond located in the heart of Worcester County between the city of Worcester and the town of Shrewsbury. The lake is comprised of two distinct sections: a deep narrow northern basin and a shallower southern basin with many coves and islands. From the southern basin, Lake Quinsigamond is connected to Flint Pond, a large, shallow pond in Shrewsbury. The northern basin averages 36 feet and contains the deepest spot at 90 feet, while the southern basin averages 21 feet. The shores of Lake Quinsigamond are highly developed with many private homes, commercial establishments, and marinas. The northern basin is used extensively by local colleges for rowing practices and competitions and contains a semi-permanent gridded buoy system to delineate racing lanes. Lake Quinsigamond can become very busy during the summer months.
Recreational access
The town of Shrewsbury manages a large two lane concrete boat ramp off of North Quinsigamond Ave. on the east side of the north basin (get directions). Parking is ample and available for a fee on weekends and holidays throughout the summer. A second town managed shore and cartop access area with parking for 5 cars is provided in Gauch Park located on the northeastern corner of the north basin (get directions). The south basin of Lake Quinsigamond is accessible from a town managed concrete ramp and large parking area on Flint Pond off of Rt. 20 (get directions). To enter the south basin travel along the north shore of Flint Pond and through a large navigable culvert under Rt. 20. Please contact the offices of the town of Shrewsbury for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Lake Quinsigamond using these access points.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages 2 large parks on the western shore of the lake: Quinsagamond State Park - Regatta Point (get directions) and Quinsagamond State Park - Lake Park (get directions). Shore and cartop boat access are permitted at both locations and a parking fee applies. Please contact DCR offices of Quinsagamond State Park for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Lake Quinsigamond using these access points.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- chain pickerel
- carp
- rock bass
- yellow perch
- white perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- yellow bullhead
- brown bullhead
- golden shiner
Lake Quinsigamond is stocked each spring and fall with trout and with northern pike or tiger muskellunge when available. Please check the MassWildllife northern pike and tiger muskellunge stocking page for stocking information.
Fishing
Trout fishing is excellent here in the spring and fall owning to the large numbers of fish stocked by MassWildlife. Trout fishing may be best in the deeper and cooler habitats of the northern basin, however, take care to avoid the buoy system used by rowers as it is held fast by submerged guide wires. Focus on the middle basin and Flint pond when fishing for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike and carp; panfish can be captured in any basin. Carp fishing is growing in popularity and Lake Quinsigamond is fast becoming a destination for carp anglers after the new state record was recently caught here weighting in at over 46 pounds. Lake Quinsigamond has produced largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, tiger muskellunge, carp, yellow perch, white perch, black crappie, bullhead, sunfish, tiger trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook 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.