Cast the Water

Chebacco Lake

Massachusetts · Essex

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

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Overview

Chebacco Lake, a 213-acre great pond southeast of Route 22 in Essex County, gets lively in summer, but its many coves still hide quiet water. It averages 10 feet deep (30 ft max), with about 6 feet of visibility. Weeds fringe the shoreline and grow thick in the coves, and homes line most of the bank.

Fishing

Alewives move into the lake each season, giving bass, pickerel and panfish plenty to eat. Work the coves for the quietest fishing in summer. MassWildlife expects ice fishing to be productive too. Chebacco has produced award-size fish in four categories: white catfish, black crappie, chain pickerel and largemouth bass.

Species

MassWildlife has documented largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, yellow and panfish such as pumpkinseed and white perch; and brown bullhead and white catfish, plus forage species such as alewife, golden shiner, lake chub and bridle shiner.

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

DCR's paved ramp on Chebacco Road (south shore) handles trailers and has room for about 15 vehicles. Shore fishing is limited to the area around the ramp. Essex residents can also launch cartop boats and fish from the town beach at Centennial Grove Park. Ask DCR or the town of Essex about fees and rules.

Water facts

213 acres; average depth 10 ft; max 30 ft; clarity about 6 ft.

Nearby waters

More in Essex

MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)