Access to Lake Cochituate
Access to Lake Cochituate will be made available at NSSC's beach from the months of May-October, and may change without notice due to weather, staffing, or other conditions in Cochituate Stake Park. All access is by appointment at this time.
For access during duty hours (0900-1530), users should contact Family and MWR at +1 (508)206-4104 to schedule and confirm arrangements.
For access outside of duty hours, and during weekends and holidays, users should contact Directorate of Emergency Services (DES) at +1 (508)206-4005 to schedule and confirm arrangements.
Boat Rentals and Launching
Rentals are first come first serve and may be made in advance.
Unit and Teambuilding Events
Groups can take advantage of a single launch fee by launching as a group. Fees may be waived for Active Duty unit activities coordinated in advance. Please contact us for more information.
Beach Rules
ID is required for access.
Alcohol is not permitted on the beach or anywhere on Lake Cochituate.
Swimming is not permitted at the beach area.
Shoes must be worn when on shore.
A Personal Floatation Device (PFD) must be worn by anyone leaving shore.
Obey all staff instructions.
Lake Cochituate General Information
Topographic map of Lake Cochituate
This fertile, 614-acre lake is one of the most complex and heavily fished waters in Massachusetts. The lake is divided into three major basins, which are connected by navigable culverts. Recreational usage is high throughout the warm months.
The 233-acre South Pond has a maximum depth of 69 feet. Transparency is usually four to five feet due to abundant suspended algae, and submergent aquatic vegetation is typically thick along the shores and out to depths of 30 feet. The bottom is predominantly muck with some sandy areas.
The 143-acre Middle Pond is actually two ponds — a 130-acre basin with a maximum depth of 60 feet, and a 13-acre sub-basin with a maximum depth of 30 feet. The bottom of the larger basin is mostly muck, while the bottom of the sub-basin is primarily gravel. Aquatic vegetation is scarce in both sections.
The 195-acre North Pond has a maximum depth of 69 feet. Transparency is five to seven feet. The bottom is predominantly muck, but there are considerable areas of sand in the shallows at the southern end. Aquatic vegetation is common in the shallows.
Fishing on Lake Cochituate
Freshwater fishing licenses are required in the state of Massachusetts. Fishing licenses can be obtained at www.mass.gov in less than 5 minutes. Please be aware of and adhere to all Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife guidelines. Fishing is by catch and release only.
Please cooperate with law enforcement personnel if stopped on Lake Cochituate.
Fish Populations
This lake supports an extremely diverse species complex that varies from basin to basin. Species known to be present include white perch, largemouth bass, yellow perch, chain pickerel, black crappie, pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow bullhead, white sucker, golden shiner, American eel and several other species of panfish and baitfish. The lake is also stocked heavily with trout, usually rainbows, in both the spring and fall, and is stocked with broodstock salmon when they are available. In addition, the lake is stocked with northern pike and tiger muskies, and has consistently been one of the best fisheries in the state for these trophy species.
