What is the second biggest lake in Massachusetts?

Wachusett Reservoir, at 4,480 acres.

Biggest lakes in Massachusetts: the top 10 by size

Q: What is the biggest lake in Massachusetts?

Quabbin Reservoir, at 24,700 acres.

The ten largest lakes in Massachusetts, biggest first.

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

#	Lake	Size	Shoreline
1	Quabbin Reservoir	24,700 acres	about 181 mi
2	Wachusett Reservoir	4,480 acres	about 27 mi
3	Webster Lake	1,440 acres	about 13.9 mi
4	Sudbury Reservoir	1,290 acres	about 19 mi
5	Otis Reservoir	1,080 acres	about 12.5 mi
6	Cobble Mountain Reservoir	about 1,000 acres	about 13.8 mi
7	Long Pond	about 870 acres	about 8.5 mi
8	Edgartown Great Pond	about 810 acres	about 13.4 mi
9	Lake Quinsigamond	770 acres	about 16.4 mi
10	Lake Great Stone	about 720 acres	about 17.5 mi

1. Quabbin Reservoir

At 24,700 acres, Quabbin Reservoir is a big lake. The fish here are lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout and yellow perch. At about 151 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Quabbin Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Wachusett Reservoir

Wachusett Reservoir covers some 4,480 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Worcester (about 6 miles). Wachusett Dam holds it on the Nashua River. Trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass are the draw. At about 120 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Wachusett Reservoir is a Massachusetts Water Resources Authority drinking-water supply where boating and swimming are banned but shoreline fishing is allowed under rules.

Wachusett Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Webster Lake

At some 1,440 acres, Webster Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is about 14 miles north of Worcester. The usual Massachusetts mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 49 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Chaubunagungamaug, commonly called Webster Lake, is one of the largest natural lakes in Massachusetts and is famous for having one of the longest place names in the United States.

Webster Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Sudbury Reservoir

Sudbury Reservoir covers some 1,290 acres. You will find it right by Southborough. It is the Stony Brook (Sudbury River) behind Sudbury Dam. The usual Massachusetts mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 65 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Sudbury Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Otis Reservoir

Otis Reservoir spreads over 1,080 acres of water. It lies near Otis. Expect catfish, yellow perch, bluegill and muskie. At about 48 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Otis Reservoir is the largest body of water in the Berkshires and is stocked with trout.

Otis Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Cobble Mountain Reservoir

Cobble Mountain Reservoir covers about 1,000 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Chicopee (about 15 miles). Like most lakes its size in Massachusetts, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Cobble Mountain Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Long Pond

Long Pond spreads over about 870 acres. You will find it near East Harwich. Like most lakes its size in Massachusetts, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

Long Pond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Edgartown Great Pond

At about 810 acres, Edgartown Great Pond is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 2 miles northeast of Edgartown. Like most lakes its size in Massachusetts, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

Edgartown Great Pond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Quinsigamond

Lake Quinsigamond is a natural lake of 770 acres. You will find it right by Hamilton Worcester. Like most lakes its size in Massachusetts, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. At about 90 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Quinsigamond, between Worcester and Shrewsbury, is a long, narrow lake widely used for competitive rowing as well as fishing.

Lake Quinsigamond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Great Stone

At about 720 acres, Lake Great Stone is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it right by Lawrence. The usual Massachusetts mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Its bed shows two sheltered coves and a steep ledge worth a first look.

Lake Great Stone today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.