Freshwater Spot

Webster Lake

The lake with the long name. Webster Lake, officially Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg, is a big, developed lake with largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel and panfish.

Map showing the location of Webster Lake
Location map · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Webster Lake, famous for the longest place name in the country, is a big three-basin lake on the Connecticut border that offers well-rounded fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel and panfish.

The water

The three basins give you weedy shallows, docks, drop-offs and deeper water. Largemouth and pickerel hold in the weeds and around docks, smallmouth on the deeper rock and points, and crappie and perch school around structure.

How to fish it

Fish the weeds and docks for largemouth and pickerel with stick worms and spinnerbaits, the deeper structure for smallmouth with drop shots, and cover for crappie with small jigs and finesse rigs.

Tip With three basins to choose from, let the season pick your water. The shallow weedy basin fishes best in spring and early summer; slide to the deeper water and rock for summer smallmouth and cooler-weather fish.

Regulations Confirm current bass and pickerel rules with MassWildlife.
From the page to the water

Learn it here, land it out there

Reading is a great start. The fastest way to get good is a day on the water with someone who does it every day.

Book a trip with Captain Nick

Note: fishing regulations (size limits, bag limits, seasons, permits) change often. Always confirm current rules with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (saltwater), MassWildlife (freshwater), or NOAA Fisheries (offshore/HMS) before you keep a fish.