Cast the Water

Lake Chaubunagungamaug

Massachusetts · Worcester

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

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Overview

Webster Lake, formally Lake Chaubunagungamaug, covers 1,297 acres in Webster, east of Route 16 and right at the Connecticut line. Its central basin is a maze of deep holes, underwater plateaus and rocky shoals packed close together. The lake averages 15 feet deep (49 max) and is usually clear to about 10 feet. Weeds mostly stay in the shallow coves over a mud-and-rock bottom. The shore is heavily built up, and summer brings a lot of boats.

Fishing

The crappie are the headline: 1-2 pound fish are reported commonly. Spring is trout season, and summer turns to bass and panfish. The central basin's mix of holes, humps and rock shoals packs a lot of structure into a small area. Award fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; black crappie; and bullhead, yellow and white perch, sunfish, and rainbow, brook and tiger trout.

Species

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; and panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish, white perch and yellow perch, brown and yellow bullhead, white sucker and landlocked alewife. Trout are stocked every spring and fall.

Seasons

Spring: stocked trout. Summer: bass and panfish. Fall: trout stocked again.

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

There are two public ramps:
- **DCR, Lakeside Ave. (southeast shore):** concrete ramp for trailers, with parking for 18.
- **Memorial Beach (northwest shore, near Routes 16 and 193):** the Town of Webster's double concrete ramp with a big lot. There's a launch fee.

You can fish from shore only near the ramps. Contact the Town of Webster about fees and rules.

Water facts

1,297 acres; average depth 15 ft; max 49 ft; clarity about 10 ft.

Nearby waters

More in Worcester

MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)