Towns: Northborough, Westborough
Acreage: 906
Wildlife Management Zone: 9
Description
The varied habitats within this property include mixed hardwood and coniferous forests along with many meadows. Several maintenance roads wind through the WMA and can be used for walking, hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, and hunting access. Exploring off old roadways and unmarked footpaths is encouraged. Several areas are leased for agricultural use while other fields are mowed annually to enhance wildlife habitat. Look and listen for wildlife while walking pond shorelines and small streams. Hike around Chauncy Lake and Little Chauncy Pond or enjoy these waters by boat. You may spot old foundations from the former Lyman School for Boys, which operated a school and farm here until 1971. MassWildlife's biologists and support staff direct statewide wildlife programming and conservation efforts from its Field Headquarters, which is located on the southwestern edge of the property. East of the Headquarters building is an American chestnut orchard, planted to produce blight-resistant seeds for the reintroduction efforts of the American Chestnut Foundation.
Location, access, & parking
Parking and access can be found at Milk Street (Route 135) in Westborough, behind MassWildlife Field Headquarters on Rabbit Hill Road (off of North Drive) in Westborough, Lyman Street in Northborough (seasonal access), and Oak Street in Westborough (boat ramp lot). See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
White-tailed deer frequent the fields and thickets. Waterfowl swim along the shorelines of the lake and ponds and the adjoining Assabet River. Wild turkey, American woodcock, gray squirrel, and eastern cottontail rabbit are present. Ring-necked pheasants are stocked throughout the season. Chauncy Lake and Little Chauncy Pond offer excellent fishing and can be accessed from shore or by boat. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of warm water fish species in both waterbodies, including largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, panfish, yellow and white perch, and brown and yellow bullhead. When ice conditions are safe, ice fishing is popular.
Freshwater fishing regulations
Wildlife viewing & other features
Chauncy Lake and Little Chauncy Pond offer excellent fishing and can be accessed from shore or by boat. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of warm water fish species in both waterbodies, including largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, panfish, yellow and white perch, and brown and yellow bullhead. When ice conditions are safe, ice fishing is popular.
Regulations
During the pheasant season, a “hunter orange” hat is required for all hunters except while night-hunting raccoons or opossums or while hunting waterfowl from within a blind or boat. No person shall hunt before sunrise or after sunset during the open season on pheasant, except for the hunting of raccoons or opossums between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Read Wildlife Management Area regulations.
About Wildlife Management Areas
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation. All WMAs are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities. Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer for an interactive map of MassWildlife properties.
You can support land protection in Massachusetts. Contributions to the Wildlands Fund help pay for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Learn more about the Wildlands Fund.