Lake Mattawa
Massachusetts · Franklin
- 118 acres mapped (USGS NHD)
- 3.9 km shoreline
- County: Franklin
- Shoreline outline: USGS NHD
- Massachusetts freshwater fishing (MassWildlife)
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 Mattawa in Orange, just south of Route 2, has a name for trophy trout, some 4-5 pounds. Numerous underwater springs keep the 118-acre great pond, an impoundment of North Pond Brook, clear to 15 feet or more. It averages 17 feet deep (43 max) over gravel and sand. About three-quarters of the shore has year-round homes and summer cottages, and in summer the lake is busy with swimmers, anglers and sailors.
Fishing
Cold, oxygen-rich water lasts all summer, so stocked trout survive from season to season. You can catch them any time, but spring and fall are best. Add both kinds of bass and plenty of decent yellow perch and sunfish, and it's an easy place to spend a whole day. Award fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie and sunfish; and bullhead, yellow and white perch, and brown, rainbow, brook and tiger trout.
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 yellow bullhead; and banded killifish, golden shiner, rainbow smelt and white sucker. Trout are stocked every spring and fall.
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
Orange's small concrete ramp on Lake Mattawa Road (north shore) is tight, with a steep drop-off, so launch carefully. Cartop boats can go in at several spots along Lake Mattawa Rd., and you can fish from shore there and at the north end of Holtshire Rd. Park on the Lake Mattawa Rd. shoulder. A town ordinance limits outboards to 10 hp. Contact the town of Orange about rules.
Water facts
118 acres; average depth 17 ft; max 43 ft; clarity 15+ ft; 10 hp limit.
Stocking history
| Species | Qty | Size | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout | 09-25-2026 |
Nearby waters
- Laurel Lake · 7.4 km (MA)
- Moores Pond · 10.2 km (MA)
- Lake Wyola · 11.4 km (MA)
- Lake Wyola Reservoir · 11.4 km (MA)
- Tully Lake · 12.3 km (MA)
- Sheomet Lake · 12.9 km (MA)
More in Franklin
- Cranberry Pond (MA)
- Laurel Lake (MA)
- Millers River (MA)
- Moores Pond (MA)
- Richards Reservoir (MA)
- Roaring Brook (NH)
MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)