Description
Wachusett Reservoir is a 4041-acre impoundment of the Nashua River located in the central Massachusetts communities of Boylston, Clinton, Sterling, and West Boylston. The Quabbin Aqueduct connects Quabbin Reservoir (40mi to the west) to Wachusett Reservoir and points further east to supply drinking water to millions of residents of the commonwealth. Much of the land surrounding the reservoir is managed for drinking water protection and depending upon its proximity to the reservoir or critical infrastructure, its use is restricted to varying degrees.
Recreational access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation Division of Water Supply Protection manages the lands surrounding the reservoir to safeguard the quality and security of the drinking water supply. The fishing season extends from the first Saturday in April (barring ice) until December 31, no boats are allowed on Wachusett Reservoir, however, shore access is excellent and quite diverse. Anglers may choose to shore fish in view of the road and a short distance from a parking area or decide to hike miles into conserved lands to reach less frequented waters. Before visiting, please review the Wachusett Reservoir fishing and access rules. Access sites, parking areas, and trail maps can be found using the Wachusett Reservoir interactive fishing map. Some of the more well known fishing spots are:
Gate 14, Scar Hill Road (get directions)
Park at the end of Scar Hill Road and walk past the gate down to the water. Most people choose to fish beyond this bend in the shore which is looking left from the trail to the parking area.
Gate 8, Route 70 (get directions)
Park at the large lot off of Route 70 for access through gate 8. Follow the road straight until you hit the water and you will make it to the sand bar shown. This spot allows access to the narrows and some of the deepest waters you can cast into. There are lots of other fishing spots from this gate, all of which require long hikes to get to the water.
Gate 6, Route 70 (get directions)
Park at a large pull-off of Route 70 but beware of the large asphalt lip when pulling off the main road. Walk past the gate and this area will be on your right with clear casting into Hastings Cove. There are lots of other fishing spots accessible from trails at this location.
Gate 36, Route 110 (get directions)
Park in one of a few gravel pull-offs of Route 110 and its a short walk to this gravel beach known to locals as the old folks home. No fishing is allowed on the north dike signs are posted.
Gate 35, Route 110 (get directions)
Park at the large gravel lot at Chance Hill Road and cross Route 110 and go past the DCR gate. From the forest road, look for foot paths on the left that bring you past an old cellar hole and to the shoreline shown. When water levels are lower, more fishing spots open up. This gate has many other fishing locations but are a farther hike in.
Gate WB 12, Old Stone Church (get directions)
Parking is along Route 140 in a large gravel pull-off and its a short walk past the old stone church to this sandy area. There are lots of fishing sports a close distance from the road here.
Gate 25, Route 12 (get directions)
Parking here is at a DCR lot off or Route 12. Walk past the gate and head toward the water under the powerlines to find this spot. There are plenty of other fishing spots for those who walk farther in.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- lake trout
- landlocked salmon
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- white perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- rock bass
- brown bullhead
- rainbow smelt
- white sucker
- banded killifish
- golden shiner
Wachusett Reservoir is stocked each spring with trout.
Fishing
Wachusett Reservoir is one of the premiere fishing destinations in the state. It is one of two waterbodies in Massachusetts with natural reproducing populations of lake trout and landlocked salmon and also has abundant populations of smallmouth bass and white perch which reach considerable size. Fishing for stocked trout, landlocked salmon, and lake trout is best in spring when these fish roam the shallow margins of the reservoir looking for smelt. At the onset of warmer temperatures, these fish recede to cooler deeper water giving way to smallmouth bass and white perch; black crappie also reach large size but are rarer. Fishing pressure decreases as one hikes deeper into the conserved lands of the reservoir, and depending on the time of year and distance traveled, you may have miles of shoreline and all its peaceful tranquility to yourself. Catch rates at Wachusett Reservoir have always been on the lower side of Massachusetts waterbodies but this does not deter the thousands of anglers that visit the reservoir each year to experience its magnificence and chance the opportunity of a large catch and unforgettable memory. Wachusett Reservoir has produced largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, lake trout, landlocked salmon, chain pickerel, yellow perch, white perch, sunfish, bullhead, black crappie, white sucker, brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow 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.