Long Pond

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Long Pond

Town(s): Lakeville MA, Freetown MA
County: Bristol, Plymouth

Size: 1720 acres
Average Depth: 7 feet
Maximum Depth: 15 feet

Boating Allowed: Kayaks, Canoes, Sail Boats, Electric Motor Boats, Power Boats, Jet-skis, State & Local Rules & Regulations Apply, Other Restrictions
Swimming: Swimming Allowed, No Restrictions

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Long Pond is the largest fully recreational natural body of water in Massachusetts. The 11 miles of shoreline are fairly heavily developed with year-round homes. The Lond Pond Association, a volunteer organization, is dedicated to the preservation of the lake. Its purpose is to educate the public and its members to promote the responsible use of the lake, stabilize and protect the water level, preserve Long Pond's status as a complete recreational body of water, serve as the organized voice for its membership with township and state government.

Long Pond sits within the towns of Lakeville and Freetown. It shares its waters with Assawompset Pond. These ponds provide a source of drinking water to the city of New Bedford, the largest city in southeastern Massachusetts. Long Pond is roughly one mile wide by four miles long, and contains three islands within its boundaries. Lewis Island is the largest of the three remaining islands today, containing sixteen privately owned cottages, while the second largest island, Nelson Island, was purchased in 2005 and now is a year round private residence. The smallest island, Goat Island, was recently purchased from the Boy Scouts by a private citizen. Along the perimeter of the pond are many homes and private access points to the waterfront.

Long Pond is well known for fishing and boating. At the northeast corner of the pond is a canal that meanders through the Parkhurst development and is navigable by boat. There is a small bridge that allows foot and road traffic onto the artificial island. In the northwest corner of the pond is a river that feeds into Assawompset Pond, which winds through the marshland before passing under Route 18 and connecting with Assawompset. It is locally known as the "Snake River," but is also labeled as the Long Pond River on some maps. The pond has several potentially hazardous areas for boaters.

There is a sand bar that connects Nelson Island to the mainland that varies from about three feet to only inches deep, and is sometimes fully exposed in the mid to late summer. Because of the pond's shallow depth (on average around nine feet), many large rocks pose serious threats. Not all of these rocks are clearly marked, but most are. The largest of these rocks is known as Acre Rock because of its approximate size. It is flat on its top, lies close to the surface and sits midway between the east and west shores of the pond approximately 1/4 mile north of Hemlock Point at Long Pond's southern end. Acre Rock sits approximately at the town line separating Lakeville and Freetown. For a boater unexperienced navigating Long Pond, it is always advisable to remain on the western side of the islands when traveling north or south to avoid the many rocks and sandbars that exist. 

Water Quality: No Known Issues, Town/State Monitoring
Vegetation Growth: Moderate
Non-native Species: Fanwort (Cabomba Caroliniana)

Fishing Comments: Popular for largemouth bass tournaments.
Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Brown Bullhead, Sunfish, Bluegill, Golden Shiner, White Sucker, Bridle Shiner

Boat Access: Access for Power and Non-power Boats
Ramp Comments: Double wide concrete ramp. See directions. See details here: https://longpondassociation.org/lake-info
Parking Spaces: 21-40

Directions: Route 495 to exit 5, south on Route 18 to intersection of Route 105, take right staying on 18 (Lakeside Ave), boat access on right.
Shoreline Development: 75-100%