Commonwealth of Massachusetts Big Pond Boat Launch

East Otis Road, Otis, MA

About Big Pond Boat Launch

The Big Pond boat launch in Otis provides an entry point to an excellent location for boating in the Berkshires. The paved launch accommodates small to mid-size motorboats, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. Once on the water, boaters will navigate the outlet stream of Big Pond for 2/3rds of a mile before they reach the main body of water. This initial stream is a beautiful, undeveloped section of the lake with abundant bird species. Eventually, the stream merges into the 327-acre Big Pond. The lake's maximum depth is 34 feet, and the average depth is 15 feet.

The lake’s perimeter is roughly 5 miles, which can provide a serene paddling journey. Noteworthy is the entirely developed shoreline, which requires visiting paddlers return to the boat launch to exit the lake. The abundance of privately owned waterfront space means that shoreline fishing is extremely limited, and prospective fishermen must fish from their own watercraft. Among common fish species in Big Pond are rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, perch, and bullhead. Big Pond offers premier Western Massachusetts fishing.

Big Pond is sometimes referred to as Big Benton Pond and is also called Lake Winiscutt. The Big Pond Boat Launch and its associated parking area are managed by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation and Recreation.