Thanks to Wellesley’s Chris Robinson for sharing his expertise on the town’s bodies of water, from a fisherman’s perspective. Chris has been fishing in Wellesley for about 20 years, since he was a boy. He’s shared his 6 favorite spots with Swellesley readers.
Remember, you need a fishing license in Massachusetts if you’re 15 or older. Buy your fishing license online.
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This page was updated in October 2023.
Lake Waban
Lake Waban is located on the campus of Wellesley College. The lake is 40 feet at its deepest and is surrounded by a 2.5 mile walking path with many spots to fish along it. The trail section of the pond owned by Wellesley College has been closed off since 2020—first due to the pandemic, and currently, just because.
The lake holds several different species, including pickerel, Largemouth Bass, and crappie. Some of the best spots are along the long white stone wall in front of the Hunnewell estate, the small coves by the admissions building, and the beach, which has long been closed to swimming. I have found that the bass in this lake are particularly fond of Zoom worms and small spinnerbaits, as well as live bait.
Longfellow Pond
Longfellow Pond is located on Oakland Street just past Mass Bay Community College. It holds a variety of species including pickerel, Largemouth Bass, carp, bluegill and crappie. The pond is surrounded by 4.5 miles of woods that include several popular hiking trails. The pond can be accessed by fishermen from the parking lot, several openings along the trail and from the small waterfall at the back.
If you’re looking to catch bass then this is the pond for you! Most of the bass in this pond are between 1/2 pound to well over 3 lbs., with the average bass weighing around 1.25-1.5 pounds. These bass will hit just about everything, but as I have referenced in previous reports, Zoom worms work dynamite here as well as Rooster Tails, Jitterbugs, Rapalas and Swimjigs. The carp are far more elusive in this pond. As of writing this report I have yet to catch a carp from Longfellow Pond. I have been told by many others that they really like doughballs or bread balls on a hook and bobber. The panfish that inhabit the pond are the easiest fish to catch from here as they will take anything they can fit in their mouths. Small flies, worms or any sort of other small baits will catch them.
Morses Pond
Morses Pond is located off of Turner Road in Wellesley and lies between Route 135 and Route 9. Thee 100-acre pond and is 23 feet at its deepest point, although the average depth is about 8 feet. Many species of fish call this pond home including pickerel, Largemouth Bass, pike, crappie, Yellow Bullhead, sunfish, and bluegill. There are many great spots to fish in this pond, especially around the Town Beach. Some of the best spots are the bridge that spans the two ponds; the openings to the right of the path into the beach; the area behind the beach where the dredger is kept; and off the dock, as there is a steep depth change there. While usually an extremely productive pond, it has been very difficult to consistently locate fish willing to bite this summer (2020). Despite the difficulties, the fish are always eager to bite a Zoom worm, small spinners or minnow imitations. Live bait, especially shiners or minnows, will catch the big bass, while worms will definitely result in sunfish and bluegill.
Paintshop Pond
Paintshop Pond, located on the Wellesley College campus near the athletic fields, is a pond for the more adept angler. For those of you who have lived in Wellesley for 20 or more years, you may know of the Henry Wood & Sons paint pigment plant that was located on this pond until 1932. Wellesley College spent a great deal of time and money to clean this pond of contaminants left behind by the paint factory, such as chromium, lead and other manufacturing waste that had sunk into the ground. It is now a beautiful and clean pond.
This pond contains Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel (beware these do have sharp teeth!), bluegill and sunfish. Accessing this pond requires a winding walk though Wellesley College that, while beautiful, can be extremely confusing.There are a few areas where this pond can be accessed and fished from, including the spillway where many fish congregate. Beware of bringing young children here. There is a bridge across the top of the concrete spillway that has many gaps in it where a small child could get through. I’ve found that spinners like Worden’s Rooster Tails, and Zoom Green Pumpkin artificial worms work best.
Reeds Pond
“Are there really fish in there?!” Is a question I hear very often when fishing this pond and yes, there are fish in here and some very good ones at that! Reeds Pond doesn’t draw the eye. It’s situated at the intersection of Beechwood Road, Cedar Brook Road. and Woodside Avenue on the edge of Wellesley nestled in a neighborhood used as a cut-through to Route 9. (Much of Route 9’s litter finds its way into the pond.) Despite the litter, there are many healthy fish here.
The pond is home to pickerel, Largemouth Bass, fallfish and most likely some catfish and carp.While not a particularly deep or large pond, with a max depth of about 5 feet, it does hold a surprisingly high number of quality fish. The best places to access the pond are from the wall where the big tree overhangs the water as there is a deep pool there, and from the small levee at the end of the pond which drains into a creek. As it is a weedy and shallow pond weedless and topwater are the best choices. Zoom worms shine here as they can be worked slowly and at various depths. Rooster Tails and topwater frogs work well here, too, but be careful of the trees as it is easy to lose lures here.
Rockridge Pond
A small, 4.4-acre neighborhood pond located deep in the Cliff Estates, Rockridge Pond is a fairly easy to fish from the large opening near the parking lot or from the small dam at the end of the pond. The pond contains Largemouth Bass, sunfish, and bluegill, although none are trophy size, with the largest bass I caught being around 8 inches. Rockridge is a great pond for young kids to cut their teeth on bass fishing, although be careful with the young ones near the grated dam, as the water moves fast into a rocky creek at the bottom. I’ve found Rebel Crickhoppers and Worden’s Rooster Tails work well in this pond, especially around the numerous patches of lily pads. Worms or small flies would work wonders here as well.
You can reach local fisherman Chris Robinson at 781-296-3322 if you have fishing questions or suggestions on updating this page.
