Description
This fertile, 178-acre Great Pond is located about a mile and a half south of Winchester center. It is fed by the Aberjona River and the outlet, located at the south end of the lake, is the Mystic River. Maximum depth is approximately 90 feet; average depth is 29 feet (although the two upper basins are very shallow). Transparency is poor, roughly three feet, due to the high fertility of the water. Submerged aquatic vegetation is limited by the poor transparency, but emergent vegetation is abundant in the shallow northern basin, moderate in the middle basin, and scattered around the western and eastern shores of the deep southern basin. While surrounding areas are highly developed, the shorelines of this lake are only moderately developed with homes and boating clubs, and the eastern and southern shores lie within Mystic Lakes State Park and are undeveloped.
Recreational access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages a paved launch suitable for cartop boats off of the Mystic Lake Parkway on the northeastern shore (get directions). Parking here is available for roughly twenty vehicles and shore access is possible to the north on the eastern shore via foot paths. Only non-motorized boats are allowed on Upper Mystic Lake. Cartop boats can also be carried in from Shannon Beach which is farther up the eastern shore (get directions). The best places to access the shore or launch a cartop boat require a little walk on paved paths to get to the water. In-between these sites are a number of pull-offs of the Mystic Lake Parkway where shore access is also possible. Please contact DCR offices of Mystic Lake State Park for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Upper Mystic Lake.
The paved boat launch at Upper Mystic Lake off of the Mystic Lake Parkway on the southern shore.
Parking for the boat ramp into Upper Mystic Lake.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- carp
- yellow perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- brown bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
- American eel
- alewife
Fishing
The high fertility of this lake, combined with a good forage base in the form of alewives and golden shiners, results in above average growth rates for many of the species found here. Large bass and pickerel are not uncommon, a fact which is enhanced by generally low fishing pressure. Most fishing takes place from shore, and though rarely unproductive, it allows numerous gamefish to grow large in the great expanse of water beyond the reach of shore casters. Panfish are particularly abundant in this lake and will provide plenty of action. This is also good carp water: anglers fishing with corn or doughballs report catches of lunkers over 15 pounds. Upper Mystic Lake has produced Carp that meet the minimum size 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.