Lake Quinsigamond

Overview

Lake Quinsigamond, between Worcester and Shrewsbury, holds the Massachusetts carp record, a fish of more than 46 pounds caught recently. The 800-acre great pond has two personalities. The north basin is deep and narrow, averaging 36 feet and dropping to 90. The south basin is shallower (21 ft average), with lots of coves and islands, and connects to big, shallow Flint Pond in Shrewsbury. Homes, businesses and marinas line the shore. College rowing teams train and race on the north basin, which has a semi-permanent grid of buoys marking the lanes. Summers are busy.

Fishing

Heavy MassWildlife stockings make spring and fall trout fishing excellent. The deeper, cooler north basin may be best. For largemouth, pickerel, pike and carp, head to Flint Pond and the middle basin. Panfish are everywhere. Carp anglers have made it a destination since the state record. Award fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel, northern pike, tiger muskie; and carp, yellow and panfish such as black crappie, sunfish and white perch; and bullhead, and tiger, rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Species

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth, rock and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, white perch and yellow perch; brown bullhead and yellow bullhead; and carp and golden shiner. Trout are stocked every spring and fall, and northern pike or tiger muskie when available; see MassWildlife's pike and tiger muskie stocking page.

Hotspots

North basin for trout; middle basin and Flint Pond for bass, pickerel, pike and carp.

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

**Town of Shrewsbury:**
- Two-lane concrete ramp with docks on North Quinsigamond Ave. (east side of the north basin). Plenty of parking, with a fee on summer weekends and holidays.
- Gauch Park (northeast corner of the north basin): shore and cartop access, with parking for 5.
- To reach the south basin, launch at the concrete ramp on Flint Pond off Rt. 20, then run along Flint's north shore and through the big culvert under Rt. 20.

**DCR Quinsigamond State Park (west shore):** Regatta Point and Lake Park both allow shore and cartop access, with a parking fee.

Contact Shrewsbury or DCR about fees and rules.

Water facts

800 acres; north basin averages 36 ft (max 90 ft); south basin averages 21 ft.

Safety & advisories

Keep clear of the rowing-lane buoys in the north basin. Submerged guide wires hold them in place (MassWildlife).

Nearby waters

• Bell Pond · 2.5 km (MA)
• Chauncy Lake · 12 km (MA)
• Singletary Pond · 12.2 km (MA)
• Wachusett Reservoir · 12.6 km (MA)
• Pratt Pond · 15.9 km (MA)
• Coachlace Pond · 16.8 km (MA)

More in Worcester

• Alum Pond (MA)
• Asnacomet Pond (MA)
• Bell Pond (MA)
• Connor Pond (MA)
• Fort Pond (MA)
• Lake Whalom (MA)