| Ponkapoag Pond | |
| Location: | Canton, Massachusetts |
| Pushpin Map: | Massachusetts |
| Coords: | 42.1925°N -71.095°W |
| Type: | Pond |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Agency: | Department of Conservation and Recreation |
| Area: | 203acres |
| Elevation: | 151feet |
Ponkapag Pond is a 203-acre impoundment in the Blue Hills Reservation. The pond is located on the border of Canton and Randolph, Massachusetts about a half mile south of Route 128 and a half mile east of Route 138. It has a maximum depth of seven feet and an average depth of four feet. As would be expected on a pond this shallow, aquatic vegetation is pervasive and very abundant. Only a small portion of the eastern shoreline is developed; the southeastern and western shores are bordered by large expanses of marshland. A walking trail circles the pond, with parking at three locations.[1]
The name comes from a Native American word meaning a spring that bubbles up from red soil, sweet water, or shallow pond.[2]
The Appalachian Mountain Club operates the AMC Ponkapoag Camp on the eastern shore of the pond. The camp has 20 cabins and two tent sites, available for rental year-round.
There is street-side parking and a place to launch cartop boats and canoes at Fisherman's Beach on the pond's southern side.[3]
Although there are some limited areas where shore fishing is possible, the heavy weeds make it difficult to cover much productive water without a boat. There are abundant bass, panfish and pickerel, though trophy fish are decidedly rare.[3]