Cast the Water

Lake Sabbatia

Massachusetts · Bristol

The pin marks the middle of the water, for directions. The shoreline on the map comes from USGS NHD.

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Overview

Lake Sabbatia, also known as Scaddings Pond, covers 248 acres along the Mill River off Bay St., north of downtown Taunton. The tea-colored water allows only about 4 feet of visibility. It averages 10 feet deep with holes to 35. Weeds ring the shore and fill the coves, especially across the uniformly shallow north end. Small boats can follow the Snake River a good way upstream. With homes around the shore, summer use is heavy.

Fishing

This is a solid all-around warmwater lake with plenty of bass and pickerel and the occasional big one. Weedy edges and coves hold lots of yellow perch and bluegill. Work restoring fish passage on the Mill River should send more herring into the lake, which MassWildlife expects could boost forage and fish growth. Award-size largemouth bass; chain pickerel; and panfish such as sunfish and yellow perch are on record.

Species

MassWildlife surveys list largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow and panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed and white perch; brown bullhead; and American eel, banded killifish, golden shiner and tessellated darter.

Regulations

MassWildlife freshwater regulations apply: https://www.mass.gov/freshwater-fishing-regulations. Check local town or DCR rules for access fees and restrictions.

Licensing

A Massachusetts freshwater fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older.

Access

Taunton's concrete ramp on Bay Street (west shore) has parking for 17 trailers. You can walk south from the ramp along Bay St. on state land to fish from shore, and there's a small pull-off on town land on Scadding Road.

Water facts

248 acres; average depth 10 ft; max 35 ft; clarity about 4 ft; annual drawdown.

Safety & advisories

Sabbatia is drawn down each year, so watch depths when boating in fall and winter. Clean, drain and dry gear between waters (MassWildlife).

Nearby waters

More in Bristol

MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)