Deepest lakes in Massachusetts: 6 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Quabbin Reservoir

At some 24,700 acres, Quabbin Reservoir is a big lake. Lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout and yellow perch are the draw. It goes down to about 151 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

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

2. Wachusett Reservoir

Wachusett Reservoir spreads over some 4,480 acres. You will find it right by Boylston. Trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 120 ft. 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. Lake Quinsigamond

Lake Quinsigamond spreads over 770 acres of water. It lies right by Hamilton Worcester. The usual Massachusetts mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 90 ft. 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

4. Sudbury Reservoir

At 1,290 acres of water, Sudbury Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it right by Southborough. The usual Massachusetts mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 65 ft. Sudbury Reservoir is a former Boston-area water-supply reservoir now managed mainly for public recreation.

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

5. Webster Lake

At 1,440 acres, Webster Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it about 1 miles west of Webster. Like most lakes its size in Massachusetts, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. The deepest water is around 49 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. 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

6. Otis Reservoir

Otis Reservoir spreads over 1,080 acres of water. The lake is within an easy drive of Chicopee (about 21 miles). The fish here are catfish, yellow perch, bluegill and muskie. It goes down to about 48 ft. 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

Fishing deep water

Deep lakes reward slow, vertical fishing: drop a jig or a spoon to the depth where fish show on the sonar and work it right there. In spring and fall the fish come shallow and any method works.