Description
Snipatuit Pond is a 667-acre great pond that forms the headwaters of the Mattapoisett River. The pond is shallow and fairly uniform with an average depth of 4.6 feet and maximum depth of only 11 feet. The water is tea stained by the surrounding wetlands and transparency is only 2-3 feet. The bottom is mostly mud and aquatic vegetation is common and scattered in patches throughout open water areas. The 5.6 miles of shoreline is bordered in many areas by an expanse of rushes and pickerel weed and moderately developed with houses and cranberry bogs. Snipatuit Pond is connected to Great Quitticas Pond by Snipatuit Brook, which can flow either way depending on water levels; Long Pond (also known as Black Pond) is connected on the southeast side. There are three islands (Gull, High Bush and Low Bush) and a number of dangerous boulders in the pond.
Recreational access
MassWildlife manages a gravel ramp suitable for trailered craft at the George E. Wood Memorial Fishermen's Access off of Neck Road on the northeastern shore (get directions). Parking is limited at the ramp but a wide shoulder permits additional parking on Neck Road. Shoreline access is limited to the area of the pond bordering Neck Road. Please contact MassWildlife Southeast District offices for additional information and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Snipatuit Pond.
The gravel ramp at Snipatuit Pond located in the George E. Wood Memorial Fishermen's Access off of Neck Road.
Parking at the gravel ramp off Neck Road.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- white perch
- black crappie
- pumpkinseed
- brown bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
- American eel
- alewife (sea-run)
Fishing
Snipatuit Pond offers good fishing for a variety of warm water fish species. Sea-run alewife provide abundant forage which leads to excellent growth rates for predatory fish in the pond. The chain pickerel and largemouth bass populations are healthy and fast growing. Yellow perch fishing should be excellent year round, as these fish are abundant and of good average size. Snipatuit Pond has produced largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, black crappie, white catfish, bullhead, and sunfish that meet minimum sizes for recognition by the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.
More fishing resources:
Stop aquatic hitchhikers
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