Town(s):
Raynham MA, Bridgewater MA
County:
Bristol, Plymouth
Size:
354
acres
Average Depth:
3
feet
Maximum Depth:
6
feet
Boating Allowed:
Kayaks, Canoes, Sail Boats, Electric Motor Boats, Power Boats, Jet-skis, State & Local Rules & Regulations Apply
Swimming:
No Swimming Allowed
Lake Nippenicket is a 354-acre natural pond known locally as the Nip. Bordering the Hockomock Swamp, it forms the headwaters of the Town River. The lake is located about a half mile west of Route 24, just north of its intersection with Route 495. Due to the surrounding wetlands, the water is heavily tea stained and transparency is only 2.5 feet. The pond is shallow with an average depth of three feet and a maximum depth of only six feet. The bottom is predominantly sand but aquatic vegetation (milfoil, fanwort, algae) is abundant particularly in the north end. Due to the surrounding swamp, residential development has been restricted to the southern half of the 4.8 miles of shoreline.
Vegetation Growth:
Abundant
Non-native Species:
Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum), Fanwort (Cabomba Caroliniana)
Fishing Comments:
Between 1915 and 1953, Lake Nippenicket was stocked with a huge assortment of fish including alewives, smallmouth bass, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, crappie, walleye, yellow perch, bluegills, unknown forage fish, and pumpkinseeds. A July 16, 1951 pond survey stated “The big trouble with this pond is too much of everything except pickerel†and recommended “reclaim when practicableâ€. The lake was partially reclaimed in October of 1957 and production was estimated at 42 pounds per acre. The most abundant species was yellow perch, followed by white perch, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, chain pickerel, creek chubsuckers, golden shiner, white sucker, alewife, American eel, banded sunfish and tessellated darter. It was stocked with chain pickerel in 1957 and 1958. Fish surveys were performed in 1959, 1960, 1964 and 1978. Tiger muskie were stocked in 1980, 1986, 2003, and 2004; northern pike were stocked in 1988. The fish population was most recently studied during a June 11, 1990 survey. Ten species were collected or observed: yellow perch, pumpkinseed, bluegill, largemouth bass, white perch, black crappie, chain pickerel, brown bullhead, golden shiner and American eel. A large number of quality sized largemouth bass up to 5.5 pounds were captured during the 1990 survey. White sucker and alewife (sea-run) were captured in the 1978 survey. Lake Nippenicket offers good fishing for an assortment of warmwater species. Bass anglers will particularly enjoy the abundant structure in this lake and the healthy largemouth bass population. Panfishing should also be good, as the yellow perch and black crappie (calicos) are large and fairly abundant. When ice conditions are safe, this lake produces good yellow perch catches and an occasional lunker pickerel. Tiger muskies stocked in 2003 and 2004 should start to reach the legal size limit (28 inches) in 2007-2008.
Fish Species:
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Sunfish, Bluegill, Golden Shiner, White Sucker, Bridle Shiner
Boat Access:
Access for Power and Non-power Boats
Ramp Comments:
Boat access to the pond is provided by a paved state Public Access ramp with ample parking (40 spaces) located off Route 104 (Pleasant Street) on the southeastern corner of the pond near Lakeside Drive. Canoe and shorefishing access is also available on the western side of the pond through the Harry C. Darling Wildlife Management Area (former Black Mallard Club property) which can be reached by taking Chace Road from Elm Street.
Parking Spaces:
Unknown
Directions:
The lake is located about a half mile west of Route 24, just north of its intersection with Route 495.
Shoreline Development:
25-50%
