Cast the Water

Snipatuit Pond

Massachusetts · Plymouth

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

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Overview

Snipatuit Pond in Rochester is where the Mattapoisett River begins. It's a big, flat-bottomed great pond: 667 acres, averaging 4.6 feet deep and nowhere deeper than 11. Surrounding wetlands stain the water tea-brown, cutting visibility to 2-3 feet. Weed patches are scattered over a mostly muddy bottom, and rushes and pickerelweed edge much of the 5.6-mile shore, along with some houses and cranberry bogs. Snipatuit Brook links it to Great Quitticas Pond, and the brook can run in either direction as levels change. On the southeast side Snipatuit joins Long Pond, also called Black Pond. Three islands dot the pond, Gull, High Bush and Low Bush.

Fishing

Sea-run alewives give predators plenty to eat, so the pickerel and largemouth here are healthy and grow fast. Yellow perch are abundant and of good average size, and should fish well all year. Award fish include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow and panfish such as black crappie, sunfish and white perch; and bullhead and white catfish.

Species

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie, pumpkinseed, white perch and yellow perch; brown bullhead; and American eel, golden shiner, sea-run alewife and white sucker.

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

MassWildlife's George E. Wood Memorial Fishermen's Access, off Neck Road on the northeast shore, has a gravel ramp for trailers. The lot is small, but the wide shoulder on Neck Road gives extra parking. Shore fishing is limited to the Neck Road stretch. Contact MassWildlife's Southeast District for more information.

Water facts

667 acres; average depth 4.6 ft; max 11 ft; clarity 2-3 ft; 5.6 miles of shoreline.

Safety & advisories

Watch for the many dangerous boulders in this shallow pond (MassWildlife).

Nearby waters

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MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)