Cambridge Reservoir Fishing in Middlesex County, Massachusetts

• Overview

  Cambridge Reservoir stands in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. It sits at 167 feet above sea level. At 471 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. With 9.8 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Among the waters listed for Middlesex County, none is wider. 2.2 miles away sits Lincoln, the nearest town. The big place round here is Cambridge, 8.7 miles distant. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Cambridge Reservoir

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Reported across Middlesex County: bluegill, pumpkinseed and chain pickerel. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Cambridge Reservoir a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 71°F, with January the cold end at about 25°F. In milder years the surface never sets. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Time your trip to Cambridge Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. A picnic spot sits half a mile from the bank. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Hardy Pond at 1.3 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Cambridge Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.