This 176-acre reservoir is located about a mile and a half north of Hopkinton center. Relatively deep, it has a maximum depth of 53 feet and an average depth of 22 feet. The tea-colored water is infertile and aquatic vegetation is scarce except around the inlet cove. Transparency is good at 11 feet and the bottom is liberally sprinkled with scattered piles of boulders that provide excellent structure.
The reservoir is located within Hopkinton State Park, leaving the shoreline mostly pristine and undeveloped. Access is excellent. There is ample parking and a public ramp located on the northern shore. Boaters should note, however, that gas powered motors are prohibited. Paddles, oars or electric motors must provide power for watercraft. The park gates close at 8 P.M., so plan to be off the water before then.
The last fisheries survey, conducted in 1982, recorded six species: largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, white perch and rainbow trout. The reservoir is regularly stocked with trout (usually rainbows) every spring and fall. In addition, broodstock salmon are stocked here whenever they are available.
Trout are clearly the name of the game at this lake. Fishing pressure is heavy in the spring, though considerably reduced in the fall when the action is often just as good. Ice fishing shouldn’t be ruled out either. This water has the potential to carry trout over from year to year, but due to high fishing pressure, the vast majority of stocked fish are taken within a month or two of their introduction.
The broodstock salmon offer the opportunity to catch some spectacular trophies, and will continue to be stocked here as long as they are available. Bass and panfish populations offer little in the way of angling action, being of small average size and relatively scarce in this infertile environment.
The Hopkinton Reservoir has been stocked with tagged trout. If you should be one the very rare lucky anglers that catch one of them, make sure you call Jeff LeClaire at (508)529-3901.