New England Paddler
West Waushacum Pondand The Quag
West Waushacum Pond
and The Quag
Last Updated: 2/2023
West Waushacum Pond Roadside Launch
Position: 42°24.71'N 71°46.06'W
Boat Launch:
Boat Launch:
Car top dirt ramp launch alongside road. No motors.
There is roadside parking only at the launch.
There is roadside parking only at the launch.
If you go a short distance to the gravel parking lot for the Central Mass Rail Trail across the street from the pond.
42-24.70 N 71-46.10 W
30 Gates Road Sterling, MA 01564
42-24.70 N 71-46.10 W
30 Gates Road Sterling, MA 01564
Nearest Launch Address:
50 Gates Road Sterling, MA 01564
Gravel Launch for car top,kayak, canoe, and electric motors permitted.
You can use this rail trail parking if needed.
STATISTICS
- Skill Level: Flat water
- Estimated Time: 1 hour
- Perimeters: 2.8 miles
- West Waushacum Pond: 1.9 miles
- The Quag: 0.9 miles
- West Waushacum Pond: 1.9 miles
- USGS Map: Sterling MA
Physical Features:
- Area: 120 acres
- Max depth: 31 feet
- Average Depth: 16 feet
- Transparency: 8 to 10 feet
- Terrain Type: Houses, Island, Roadway, Woods
- Altitude: 436 feet
Fish Population
- Last survey: Unknown
- 12 Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, White Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, and Golden Shiner. West Waushacum Pond is also stocked each spring with trout.
Fishing
The presence of water supply protection lands and restrictions on internal combustion engines make West Waushacum Lake is an ideal location for paddle boat fishing. Those fishing in spring and early summer will find stocked trout in abundance. Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Chain Pickerel, and Largemouth Bass are also abundant with the occasional larger fish. White Perch and Smallmouth Bass are present but in much lower abundance. West Waushacum Pond has produced Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Black Crappie, White Perch, and Rainbow Trout that meet minimum sizes for recognition by the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.
Description
West Washacum Pond is a 120 acre great pond located off of Gates road in Sterling. The pond bottom is comprised of rocks and gravel with areas of mud and aquatic vegetation common along the shoreline and shallow shoals. The shores of West Waushacum pond lie within the Department of Conservation and Recreation water supply protection lands and are free from development.
Access to the Quag is provided via a narrow channel under the central mass bikepath on the western shore. This is navigable by only light kayaks and canoes. The reason is because it is very narrow and has several rocks. Approach very slowly. You may need to use your paddle and your hands to make it through.
A view of the pond and island on a rainy day.
