Spy Pond Fishing Spot

• County: Middlesex - Arlington MA
• Acreage: 103
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 12'
• Max Depth: 36'
• Elevation: 2'
• Bathymetry Map: View Spy Pond Bathymetry Map
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dfg/dfw/habitat/maps-ponds/dfwspypo.pdf
• Last Modified By: samf on 08/23/16 09:45 PM
• Ask about Spy Pond in our Fishing Forums

This fertile, 103-acre natural great pond is located just north of Route 2 in Arlington. Maximum depth is 36 feet; average depth is 12 feet, and the water is transparent to ten feet. The bottom is sand and gravel, most of that is overlain with a thick layer of muck. Aquatic vegetation is moderate to abundant and there are often suspended algae during the summer.
The shorelines are heavily developed, but there is a large parcel of city-owned recreational property (Spy Pond Field) on the northeastern end of the pond that offers parking and shore fishing. Although there is no public ramp, car top boats and canoes can be launched from shore near the parking lot. Most of the pond’s shoreline can be waded, and a determined explorer can find access to several small patches of open shore scattered around the pond.

This pond was last surveyed in 1980, at which time ten species were recorded: largemouth bass, yellow perch, white perch, brown bullhead, pumpkinseed, bluegill, golden shiner, alewife, American eel and goldfish. Big carp are also known to be present. The pond has been regularly stocked with tiger muskie fingerlings for more than a decade.

Low fishing pressure and the apparently high productivity of the water combine to produce an excellent fishery at Spy Pond. Largemouth bass in particular are numerous and generally above average in size. While the perch are only average in size, they are abundant and can provide fast jigging action for ice fishermen. Several legal size (28 inches or better) tiger muskies have been caught here, most of them through the ice. Steel leaders are recommended for anglers who want to target one of these rare trophies. Try off the south and west sides of the island. In spring and summer, don’t forget the carp. Chum with some corn or bread crusts and be prepared for fast initial runs and long battles.

Spy pond is a 103-acre (0.42 km2) kettle hole pond located near the heart of Arlington, Massachusetts, adjacent to the Minuteman Bikeway. Spy Pond has one island, Elizabeth Island.