Cast the Water

Lake Boon

Massachusetts · Middlesex

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 Boon straddles the Stow-Hudson line between Main St. and Sudbury Rd. It's a 180-acre great pond made of several basins joined by narrow, navigable channels. It averages 11 feet deep (23 max), with lightly tea-colored water over mud. Weeds are common, more so in the small, shallow southern and eastern basins than in the north basin. Houses crowd the shore. It's drawn down every fall and winter.

Fishing

The weedy, wood-filled eastern basins are full of pickerel and sunfish. In the larger, deeper basins, try for crappie, perch and largemouth, which like the many docks. For something different, fish worms or baitfish on the bottom in the deep spots for big bullhead. Award fish include largemouth bass and chain pickerel.

Species

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

Hotspots

Eastern basins (weeds and wood) for pickerel and sunfish; docks in the deeper basins for largemouth.

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

Stow's gravel trailer ramp is off Sudbury Road. Parking is just a few gravel pull-offs and the road shoulder beside the launch, so obey the signs. The water right off the ramp is very shallow. Pine Bluff Recreational Area, also off Sudbury Road on the northeast shore, has shore fishing in the woods past the beach. You could carry a boat in, but it's a long walk, and the town may charge for parking in swim season. Contact the town of Stow about fees and rules.

Water facts

180 acres; average depth 11 ft; max 23 ft.

Safety & advisories

Observe posted speed limits in the dock-lined channels between basins. Depths change with the annual fall and winter drawdown (MassWildlife).

Nearby waters

More in Middlesex

MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)