Dan's Tackle Box

Dean Pond, Upton, MA

Dean Pond was formed when in the 1930s a few dozen members of the Civilian Conservation Corps went to work building a dam at a cost of just over $2000. Parking for the 2500+ acre Upton State Forest is off Westboro Rd. Here miles of walking trails ramble through the forest. Sights include centuries old fieldstone foundations, stone dams, Civilian Conservation Corps built watering holes used in forest fire protection, rope swing, and stirring Pickerel fishing. There does not appear to be much of a bass population, if any at all. The water is stained with tannic acid from the local oak population. Fishing pressure is nonexistent. You will find wildly tasty blueberries along the southwest side of the pond. Ice fishing is productive according to locals, but parking is far from the pond so be prepared to pull your sled some distance. Use durable and weedless 5" Zoom Super Flukes, weightless Texas rigged on 3/0 worm hooks. Flourocarbon leaders tied using a quadruple surgeon's knot are a must, or you will get sawed off. There are a few shore fishing spots along the north and southwest sides. Trail map.

dean pond

dean pond