Cast the Water

South Watuppa Pond

Massachusetts · Bristol

Spans: MA, RI

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

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Overview

Bass tournaments come to South Watuppa because it holds big numbers of both largemouth and smallmouth. The pond is a great pond that has been enlarged, covering 1,460 acres in Fall River, and is fairly shallow (14.5 ft average, 23 max). Its inflows are North Watuppa Pond, Sawdy Pond by way of Stony Brook, the Bleachery Ponds by way of Sucker Brook, and a few smaller streams. It drains through the Quequechan River to the Taunton River and then Mount Hope Bay. Visibility is only about 3 feet. Summer algae can tint the water green; the rest of the year it's tea-colored. There are few weeds, but rubble, rock and muck cover the bottom, with plenty of rubbly shoals. Homes and businesses line most of the shore.

Fishing

For smallmouth, work the rocky shoals and the steeper stretches of shoreline. Yellow perch, crappie and sunfish are plentiful for panfish anglers. Award fish include largemouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie, sunfish and white perch; and bullhead.

Species

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, white perch and yellow perch; brown bullhead; and banded killifish, golden shiner and white sucker.

Hotspots

Rocky shoals and steep shoreline for smallmouth.

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

Fall River runs a two-lane concrete ramp at the end of Jefferson Street (northwest shore), with room for about 50 vehicles. You can fish from shore on the state land around the ramp. Check with the city about fees and rules.

Water facts

1,460 acres; average depth 14.5 ft; max 23 ft; clarity about 3 ft.

Nearby waters

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MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)