Tully Lake

Overview

Tully Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood-control reservoir on the East Branch of the Tully River. Its 238 acres are broken up by small coves, islands, rocks and stumps. The forested shore also holds a well-known disc golf course and a carry-in campground. The water is shallow on average (8 ft, 41 ft max) and stained, with 4-5 feet of visibility.

Fishing

Tight coves full of cover are where bass and pickerel stack up. Numbers are good, though big fish are scarce. Crappie are the standout, routinely topping a pound. Tully has given up award-size largemouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie, sunfish and yellow perch; and bullhead.

Species

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth bass; chain pickerel; and panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed and yellow perch, brown and yellow bullhead, and golden shiner.

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' two-lane concrete ramp off Rt. 32 on the west shore has parking for about six trailers, plus overflow up the hill. You can fish from shore near the ramp or hike the trails around the reservoir. A second cartop put-in on Doane Hill Rd. sits on the inlet: paddle down into Tully Lake or, when water allows, up to Long Pond. Contact the Corps' Tully Lake office about fees and rules.

Amenities

Disc golf course and a carry-in campground on the shore (USACE).

Water facts

238 acres; average depth 8 ft; max 41 ft; clarity 4-5 ft.

Nearby waters

• Sheomet Lake · 6.7 km (MA)
• Lake Dennison · 10.5 km (MA)
• Richards Reservoir · 10.6 km (MA)
• Moores Pond · 10.9 km (MA)
• Laurel Lake · 11.7 km (NH)
• Lake Mattawa · 12.3 km (MA)

More in Worcester

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