Description
Willis Pond is a 71-acre great pond located off of Lake Shore Drive tucked between the end of a suburban neighborhood and a large wetland in Sudbury. The waters here are tea stained which limits visibility and emergent vegetation is largely restricted to the shallow shorelines. While the southern shoreline is populated with residences, the entire northern shore which borders the wetland is natural and quite peaceful.
Recreational access
The town of Sudbury manages a small gravel boat ramp suitable for light trailered craft and fishing dock off of Lake Shore Drive on the south western tip of the pond (get directions). There is parking for a few cars and only vehicles towing small trailers will be able to turn around at the launch. Shore fishing is limited to areas immediate to the launch and from the fishing dock. Please contact the town of Sudbury for additional information and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Willis Pond.
Launch over this old beach and park so that others may do the same. The fishing dock is in the foreground but has not been installed yet as of this visit.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- black crappie
- pumpkinseed
- bluegill
- brown bullhead
- yellow bullhead
- golden shiner
- American eel
Fishing
Despite its proximity to surrounding urban and suburban areas, Willis Pond affords a peaceful setting to spend an afternoon fishing. Given limited shore fishing areas by the old beach it is best accessed by boat. Black Crappie are abundant here and can be caught at will during the spring but tend not to reach considerable size. A few notable largemouth bass exceeding 22 inches have also been reported. Willis Pond has produced largemouth bass, sunfish and bullhead 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.