Lowell Holly, MA Fishing: A Cape Cod Bay Hidden Gem

Found just a couple of hours south of Boston lies Lowell Holly and its surrounding region, packed with beautiful state parks and rural lodgings. The area is situated near Sandwich, Massachusetts, one of the oldest towns in the Cape Cod Bay area, first inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years before the arrival of European immigrants, officially being colonized in 1637. In the decades since, Sandwich became known for its agricultural lands and fisheries, which then shifted during the industrial revolution, with glassware factories being commonplace in the area. Throughout the years, the community has kept many of its historical landmarks well-preserved, opening the way for the booming tourism industry. 

Lowell Holly got its name from the former president of Harvard University, Abott Lowell, who planted 250 American Holly trees. The area is considered a well-known hiking trail and is beautifully lined up with trees and patches of mountain laurel, rosebay, and catawba rhododendrons. Though often overshadowed by the more popular Cape Cod Bay,  Lowell Holly’s three nearby ponds, Mashpee, Wakeby, and Santuit ponds, are well-stocked and open for fishing and swimming. Lowell Holly, a tourist attraction today, has many places to go around for those looking to have a good time. Patrons of the arts will find the Cahoon Museum of American Art and the Cotuit Center for the Arts just a stone’s throw away from each other. Old Breweries like the Naukabout Brewery and Taproom are also open to the public. Finally, those looking to enjoy the scenic landscape of classic New England can enjoy while playing a few rounds of golf as The Ridge, Southport, and Willowbend Country Club golf courses are within an hour’s drive. 

Lowell Holly Fishing 

Settlers who first arrived in America were gifted with this beautiful agricultural site. More so than the great lands they now owned, the area was endowed with multiple ponds and lakes for consistent irrigation. Today, these bodies of water are used for recreational purposes, mainly fishing.  Lowell Holly is blessed with its three well-stocked ponds Mashpee, Wakeby, and Santuit. Wakeby to the north and Mashpee below it are two connected ponds covering around 737 acres. Both ponds also feed water in the nearby Mashpee River. Their depths can vary from 30 to 95 feet, with their bottom composition being made out of the gravel. Its surrounding areas are dotted with camping sites, townhouses, and beaches. There, anglers will be able to catch brook, brown, and rainbow trout, as well as populations of bass (largemouth and smallmouth), catfish (white catfish and brown bullhead), perch (yellow and white), and many more. Sea-dwelling herring also migrate to the ponds via the Mashpee River. 

Just across the Mashpee and Wakeby is Santuit Pond, a 176-acre great pond. Compared to the two ponds beside it, the Santuit Pond’s water is comparatively shallow, averaging only 6.5 feet and a maximum11 feet. The great pond is also predominantly composed of sand with irregular patches of rubble and muck found across it. The pond is also fed by River Herring and the Santuit River beyond that. There is much fish to catch in its wide 176-acre area, including largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, chain pickerel, golden shiner, brown bullhead, white and yellow perch, American eel, and whiter sucker. There’s also a chance for Santuit pond’s water to freeze in winter, making it an ideal spot for ice fishing.  Should the right conditions be met, perch, bass, and trout can be found during the holiday season. Anglers attempting fish during this time of the year should prepare the appropriate gear. Winter fishing is a unique yet potentially dangerous form of fishing.

Anglers looking for a more comprehensive selection of fish to catch should look into fishing in Cape Cod Bay.  There, anglers will be able to try different forms of fishing, including kayak fishing, shoreline fishing, and even bottom fishing in the deeper sections of the bay. With its 65-miles of seawater, stretching from Marshland to Provincetown, there are numerous flats, bays, and sounds for every angler wishing to show off their skills. Of course, Cape Cod wouldn’t be as popular with anglers without its diverse game fish selections. A North Atlantic favorite would have to be cod and haddock, while striped bass is just as popular. Bluefish, sharks, and bluefin tuna are also unique to the area. Anglers will get a chance at these fish via the many characters dotted along the coast of the bay area. 

Aside from the bay itself, Cape Cod Canal is also an excellent place to reel in fish. The artificial canal connects Cape Cod Bay with Buzzards Bay to its south. All-year long fishers line the side of the canal hoping to catch fish going to and from the two connected bodies of water. These fish include striped bass, black sea bass, and bluefish. Though prohibited from being caught, rare marine mammals like whales and dolphins use the canal at certain times, something many families enjoy. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Lowell Holly, MA

There is a variety of gamefish to be caught in Lowell Holly. In no particular order, here are ten of the most popular for anglers: Atlantic cod, haddock, largemouth bass, trout, perch, herring, golden shiner, bluefin tuna, black sea bass, and catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

With the diverse set of game fish found in the Lowell Holly and Cape Cod Bay area, anglers looking to visit the state can do so at any time. As Cape Cod was named after them, it’s no surprise that cod and haddock are the most popular and well sought out fish in the bay. Both fish can be caught year-round. Trout and bass are also popular and are best caught during late spring, right after bass spawn season. In contrast to bass, trout can be just as active in winter, making them a great ice fishing target. Catfish can vary as white catfish are bigger and more active during the summer. Opposite them are brown bullhead, which are more active from October to December, during Fall and Winter. Bluefin tuna can be caught throughout most of the year, but anglers agree that August to September is the best month to do so. 

See the Sights in Lowell Holly, MA

1. Relive history 

Massachusetts is a place rich in American history, from its founding to the civil war, and so on. Lowell Holly has properly preserved that history and culture throughout the year, making it available to the community and tourists alike. Families can learn more about American culture through museums like the Cape Cod Children’s Museum and the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Museum. 

2. Enjoy nature to its fullest

The Cape Cod area is one of the more rural areas. Lowell Holly, in particular, is a very popular hiking trail for locals and tourists alike. The reservoir also has designated lodges, camping sites, and inns, all of which are perfect for a weekend getaway. There, families will not only be able to enjoy the sights along the hiking trails but also go to any of Lowell Holly’s three ponds. Enjoy a day of outdoor activities, from exploring the waters with a paddleboard to fishing for what the well-stocked ponds have to offer. 

3. Go to Cape Cod Bay

If the sea is more to your tastes, then Cape Cod Bay is the place to be. Aside from its beaches, the bay is known for its many fishing charters. These guides are experts and will take you to the best fishing spots in the area. Other than fishing, marine wildlife like dolphins and whales can sometimes be seen at a distance. Otherwise, the area is a great place to explore with the family.  Its roads are bike-friendly and are the most popular way to go around.