Long Pond – Lakeville
About Long Pond
Long Pond is a large, shallow, warmwater lake spanning about four miles in length and one mile in width in the towns of Lakeville and Freetown, Massachusetts. It covers roughly 1,780 acres and is part of the Assawompset Ponds Complex, one of the most important freshwater systems in southeastern Massachusetts. The pond lies on the border of Plymouth and Bristol Counties, and its 11 miles of shoreline are heavily developed with year-round homes and camps, offering broad water views, sandy stretches, and classic lakeside neighborhoods.
Hydrologically, Long Pond is fed by numerous small streams and marshy inlets and drains via the Long Pond River (also known locally as the Snake River) into Assawompset Pond, which in turn feeds the Nemasket River and the Taunton River watershed. The pond has an average depth of about 6 feet and a maximum depth of about 15 feet, with stained water, submerged rocks, and aquatic vegetation concentrated in coves and marshy edges. It is the only pond in the Assawompset complex open to full public recreation, making it a major regional hub for power boating, water-skiing, tubing, paddling, and warmwater fishing, while still supporting abundant birdlife, including waterfowl and seasonal bald eagles in the surrounding watershed.
Key Features
Quick facts (at-a-glance)
- Location: Lakeville & Freetown, Plymouth & Bristol Counties, Massachusetts
- Surface Area: Approximately 1,780 acres of shallow warmwater habitat
- Maximum Depth: About 15 feet, with an average depth near 6 feet
- Shoreline Length: Roughly 11 miles, largely developed with year-round homes
- Elevation: Around 54 feet above sea level
- Type: Natural warmwater lake, part of the Assawompset Ponds Complex drinking-water system
- Fish Species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, yellow and white perch, pumpkinseed, white sucker, alewife, blueback herring, brown bullhead, golden shiner, tessellated darter, lake chubsucker and other sunfish species
- Average Summer Temp: Mean July air temperature around 73°F (highs near 84°F, lows near 61°F) in the Lakeville area
- Public Access: Paved state boat ramp with parking off Route 18 in Freetown, plus carry-in access at Tamarack Park and nearby conservation land
- Nearby Attractions: Assawompset Pond, Great & Little Quittacas Ponds, Pocksha Pond, Tispaquin Pond, Snipatuit Pond, Nemasket River, Middleborough and New Bedford waterfront
Long Pond Vacation Homes For Rent
What you can do there
Swimming: Long Pond is the only waterbody in the Assawompset Ponds Complex that permits open-water swimming, so on warm days you’ll find residents enjoying sandy shallows and popular sandbar areas. Always swim near known access points and away from boating lanes, and keep an eye out for submerged rocks and variable depths.
Boating & Water-Skiing: With nearly four miles of open water, Long Pond is a favorite for power boating, water-skiing and tubing. The broad central basin offers room for larger craft, while the long reaches toward the north and south are well suited for cruising. There are no specific size or speed restrictions on most of the pond, but boaters must obey posted regulations and navigate cautiously around rocks and sandbars.
Kayaking & Canoeing: While outboards are common, paddlers will also enjoy quiet stretches, especially near marshy coves and along the Long Pond Conservation Area and Tamarack Park shoreline. A small carry-in launch at Tamarack Park lets you glide through narrow marsh channels before reaching the open shallows of Long Pond, with excellent birdwatching along the way.
Fishing: Long Pond is a well-known largemouth bass destination and hosts bass tournaments throughout the season. Anglers also target chain pickerel, white and yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead and seasonal alewife/blueback herring runs. Shore fishing is possible from select public access points, while boat anglers work rocky points, weedlines and drop-offs.
Wildlife Viewing & Birding: The Assawompset Ponds Complex is recognized for abundant birdlife, including waterfowl, wading birds and seasonal bald eagles. From Tamarack Park’s meadows and marsh edges, visitors can watch swallows, bluebirds, herons and other species, while paddlers may spot turtles, frogs and dragonflies around the marsh channels.
Picnicking & Relaxing: Tamarack Park’s grassy meadow and picnic tables offer a quiet place to spread a blanket and enjoy views into the Long Pond marsh and the broader pond complex. Residents also enjoy lakeside decks and private shoreline areas to watch sunsets, passing boats and migrating birds.
Scenic Cruising: Boaters can cruise past the pond’s three main islands—Lewis Island, Nelson Island and Goat Island—and explore canals and inlets like the Parkhurst canal in the northeast. These routes provide changing views of wooded shores, cranberry bogs and the broader Assawompset watershed.
Four-Season Enjoyment: Although peak activity occurs in summer, Long Pond also sees use in spring and fall for fishing, paddling and scenic drives, and in winter (when conditions allow) for shoreline walks and nature watching from public lands around the complex.
Access, marinas & ramps
State Boat Launch: Primary public access is via a concrete boat ramp managed by the Town of Freetown in cooperation with the Office of Fishing and Boating Access. Located off Route 18 on the southeastern corner of Long Pond, this facility includes a paved ramp suitable for trailered boats and a sizeable parking area.
Trailer Parking: The Freetown ramp offers marked parking spaces for approximately 47 boat trailers, making it one of the more substantial freshwater launches in the region. On busy summer weekends and holidays, a parking fee may be collected, so plan ahead and arrive early for the best availability.
Tamarack Park Access: On the Lakeville side, Tamarack Park provides a small carry-in launch at the back of the park, ideal for kayaks and canoes. Visitors can park in the paved lot and follow a short path to the shoreline, where a narrow marsh channel leads into Long Pond and the surrounding conservation area.
Road Access: Long Pond is easily reached from regional routes including Route 18, Route 79 and Long Pond Road, which pass near the shoreline and connect to Lakeville, Freetown, Middleborough and Rochester. These roads provide straightforward access to both the state ramp in Freetown and conservation lands around the Assawompset Ponds.
Private Docks & Moorings: Much of the pond’s 11-mile shoreline is lined with homes and camps that maintain private docks, boat lifts and small beaches. While these are not open to the public, they contribute to a vibrant boating community and a steady presence of pontoons, fishing boats and runabouts on the water.
Kayak & Small-Craft Use: Smaller boats can launch either from the Freetown ramp or the carry-in access at Tamarack Park. Paddlers should stay close to shore when motorboat traffic is heavy and use high-visibility gear to remain visible in summer conditions.
Navigation & Hazards: Long Pond contains numerous submerged rocks, sandbars and shoals, including well-known hazards like Acre Rock and a sandbar connecting Nelson Island to shore. Many are marked, but not all; boaters should travel at safe speeds, watch depth contours and favor channels recommended by local boaters.
Additional Nearby Access: Anglers and paddlers exploring the broader system will find additional public shore-fishing and carry-in access at Assawompset Pond, Pocksha Pond, Great Quittacas Pond, Tispaquin Pond, Snipatuit Pond and the Rochester rearing ponds, all within a short drive of Long Pond.
Safety & regulations
- Boating Safety: Numerous submerged rocks and shallow sandbars are present; operate at safe speeds, keep a sharp lookout and follow local guidance to avoid hazards.
- Life Jackets: Massachusetts law requires U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices on board for each person, with additional requirements for children and certain craft; always wear a PFD when boating or paddling.
- No-Wake & Speed Limits: Obey all posted no-wake and speed-control zones, especially near the Freetown boat ramp, docks, islands, and congested swimming or mooring areas to reduce erosion and improve safety.
- Invasive Species Control: Long Pond hosts invasive aquatic plants and Asian clams; boaters should clean, drain and dry boats, trailers and gear and follow state Boat Ramp Monitor Program guidance to prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Fishing Regulations: All anglers must hold a valid Massachusetts freshwater fishing license (age exemptions apply) and follow statewide rules for seasons, size limits and creel limits for species such as bass, perch and pickerel.
- Drinking-Water Protection: Long Pond is part of a regional public drinking-water supply; visitors should properly dispose of trash, avoid spilling fuel or chemicals, and respect posted restrictions intended to protect water quality.
- Swimming Etiquette: Swim only in appropriate areas, stay clear of boat traffic lanes, and use visible markers when swimming away from shore. Long Pond is the only pond in the complex that permits swimming, so extra care is expected from both swimmers and boaters.
- Enforcement: Environmental officers and Lakeville/Freetown police regularly patrol the lake in warmer months; boaters should carry required safety equipment, registration and licenses and be prepared for routine checks.
- Seasonal & Local Rules: Additional local ordinances or seasonal advisories (such as parking fees, ice safety advisories or temporary closures) may apply; always check with local town or state agencies before your visit.
Gallery
Nearby highlights & suggested day trips
- Tamarack Park & Long Pond Conservation Area (Lakeville): This town conservation property sits between Assawompset Pond and Long Pond, with a meadow, picnic tables and a small carry-in launch into the Long Pond marsh. It’s ideal for a relaxed picnic, short walk and a quiet paddle through channels rich with birds and native plants.
- Long Pond Boat Ramp (Freetown): The paved state ramp off Route 18 is the primary gateway for boating on Long Pond. With ample parking and direct access to open water, it’s a great starting point for a full day of fishing, cruising and exploring the islands and shoreline.
- Assawompset Pond & Betty’s Neck: Just north of Long Pond, Assawompset Pond is the largest natural freshwater body in Massachusetts and a key drinking-water reservoir. The Betty’s Neck conservation area offers trails, scenic views and wildlife watching along the shoreline, making it a perfect half-day hike paired with a visit to Long Pond.
- Great & Little Quittacas Ponds / New Bedford Waterworks: To the northeast, the New Bedford Waterworks property in Rochester features walking and biking trails with views of Great Quittacas Pond. It’s a scenic place to experience the broader Assawompset Ponds Complex and learn about the region’s water-supply lands and Wampanoag history.
- Pocksha Pond & Stuart F. Morgan Conservation Area: East of Long Pond, visitors can explore the Stuart F. Morgan Conservation Area via an out-and-back trail that hugs wetlands and offers views of Pocksha Pond. Combine a hike there with boating or swimming on Long Pond for a full day in the watershed.
- Tispaquin Pond (Middleborough): A short drive away, Tispaquin Pond provides additional fishing and paddling opportunities in a more secluded, wooded setting. Anglers often pair a morning or evening session here with mid-day boating or swimming at Long Pond.
- Snipatuit Pond & Rochester Rearing Ponds: North of Long Pond, Snipatuit Pond and the adjacent rearing ponds offer additional freshwater habitats for anglers and wildlife watchers. These quieter waters provide a contrast to Long Pond’s busy boating scene while still being close enough for a single-day loop.
- Nemasket River Corridor: Flowing from the Assawompset Ponds toward the Taunton River, the Nemasket River is renowned for its spring herring run and scenic banks. Visitors can explore portions of the river by foot or by canoe/kayak in appropriate sections, learning how Long Pond fits into this larger river system.
- Downtown Middleborough: The nearby town of Middleborough offers historic architecture, local restaurants and shops, and convenient services. It’s an easy stop on your way to or from Long Pond to pick up supplies, enjoy a meal, or explore local history.
- New Bedford Waterfront & Whaling National Historical Park: About a half-hour drive south, New Bedford’s harbor district and the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park showcase maritime history, museums and a working waterfront. Pair a morning on Long Pond with an afternoon exploring galleries, cobblestone streets and harbor views.
Events & community
Local Lake Association: The Long Pond Association represents property owners and users on Long Pond and works to protect water quality, manage invasive species, and promote safe recreation. The association shares information on lake conditions, sponsors educational efforts and coordinates with town and state agencies on issues such as boat-ramp monitoring and habitat management.
Recreation & Conservation Events: Long Pond regularly hosts bass tournaments and informal community gatherings centered around boating, fishing and lakeside living, while regional organizations like the Buzzards Bay Coalition and local conservation commissions run hikes, paddling trips and stewardship events across the Assawompset Ponds Complex. Together, these efforts build a strong community around the lake and its watershed, encouraging visitors and residents to enjoy and protect this vital freshwater resource.
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