Littleville Lake

Overview

Littleville Reservoir is a deep, clear Army Corps flood-control lake where the Westfield River's Middle Branch is dammed, off Route 112 on the Chester-Huntington line. It is also a backup water supply for Springfield, so its shore is entirely forested. The 254-acre reservoir averages 32 feet deep, bottoms out at 86, and visibility usually reaches 15 feet or better over a rocky bottom, with weeds only in a few coves at either end.

Fishing

Cold, oxygenated water through summer lets some stocked trout hold over and grow large, so trout fishing stays popular all year. Yellow perch and largemouth are the main warmwater targets. Ice fishing is allowed, so the season never really ends. Award fish include largemouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead, and rainbow, brook and brown trout.

Species

MassWildlife surveys list largemouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as banded sunfish, bluegill, pumpkinseed and yellow perch; brown bullhead; and golden shiner and white sucker. Trout are stocked 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

The Corps' concrete ramp on Goss Hill Rd. (south shore) has parking for 25 trailers, and buoys keep boats away from the dam. Paddlers can also use the Dayville Canoe Launch at the end of Kinne Brook Rd. at the northwest end. It closes in winter, and at some water levels it feels more like a river than a lake. Motors are capped at 10 hp, and shore fishing is allowed only in small areas on the southeast and northwest shores (USACE New England District).

Ice fishing

Ice fishing is permitted on Littleville Reservoir (MassWildlife).

Water facts

254 acres; average depth 32 ft; max 86 ft; clarity 15+ ft; rocky bottom.

Nearby waters

• Nashawannuck Pond · 18.7 km (MA)
• Otis Reservoir · 19 km (MA)
• Hampton Pond · 19.1 km (MA)
• Upper Highland Lake · 21.5 km (MA)
• Goose Pond · 25.3 km (MA)
• Lake Garfield · 27.7 km (MA)

More in Hampden

• Otis Reservoir (MA)
• Chicopee Reservoir (MA)
• Dean Pond (MA)
• Forest Lake (MA)
• Hamilton Reservoir (MA)
• Holland Pond (MA)