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Massachusetts · Fishing
Sutton is a quiet town in Worcester County with a handful of small lakes and ponds that hold decent warmwater fishing without the crowds you'd find closer to the city.
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Sutton is a quiet town in Worcester County with a handful of small lakes and ponds that hold decent warmwater fishing without the crowds you'd find closer to the city. Tucker Pond, Cedar Swamp, and Number 1 Pond are the three fishable waters in town, each offering the kind of still-water lake fishing that suits a kayak or a pair of waders better than a big motorboat. These are modest-sized bodies of water, so you're not covering miles of shoreline — you're picking apart structure, working edges, and paying attention to what's happening on the surface. That makes Sutton a reasonable destination for anglers who want a low-key outing rather than a production, and it's accessible enough for beginners who are still figuring out how to read water. Spring and fall tend to be the most productive seasons on lakes like these in central Massachusetts, when water temperatures push fish into shallower areas. If you're driving from Worcester or the surrounding towns, you're looking at a short trip with no need to haul a full-size boat. Pack light, bring a topographic map of whichever pond you're targeting, and check current Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife regulations before you go.
All three are classified as lake fishing waters in Sutton, which in central Massachusetts typically means largemouth bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel are realistic targets. Bluegill and pumpkinseed are common in smaller ponds like these as well. Check the Massachusetts DFW stocking reports to see if any of these waters receive trout stocking in a given season, since that changes the approach significantly.
Yes. Massachusetts requires a freshwater fishing license for anyone 15 or older. You can purchase one through the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife website or at licensed vendors. Make sure you also review any specific regulations for the water you're fishing, since size and bag limits can vary by species and location.
Buffumville Lake (Group Shelter)
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Number 1 Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
West Hill Park
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Cedar Swamp
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Tucker Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Carpenter Reservoir
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Douglas Cedar Swamp
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Woolshop Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Augutleback Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Dorothy Pond
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Wallum Lake
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MA.
Long Pond
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CT.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows on small lakes and ponds in New England. Bass and pickerel tend to feed aggressively in low light, especially near shoreline structure like fallen timber or weed edges. Midday in summer is generally slow unless you're targeting deeper water with different techniques.
A medium-light spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations on small ponds like these. Soft plastics, small spinnerbaits, and inline spinners cover the warmwater species you're likely to encounter. If you're fishing Cedar Swamp specifically, expect heavier vegetation and consider weedless rigs to avoid constant snags.
Access and launch conditions vary by water body, and it's worth confirming current access points through the Town of Sutton or the Massachusetts DFW before your trip. Small car-top boats, kayaks, and canoes are generally well-suited to ponds of this size, but not all have formal launch ramps. Arriving early on weekends helps if parking is limited near the water.
