MassasoitState Park
A large lake with houses among the trees on the far shore

Lake Sabbatia

Lake Sabbatia, also called Scaddings Pond, is a 248-acre lake off Bay Street in Taunton, north of the city centre, formed by damming the Mill River. It averages 10 feet deep and reaches 35. The City of Taunton runs a concrete boat ramp on the western shore with parking for 17 trailers, and MassWildlife rates the fishing good for largemouth bass and chain pickerel. The shores are lined with homes, the lake is busy in summer, and the water is drawn down every year.

At a Glance

Lake Sabbatia at a Glance

Also calledScaddings Pond
Size248 acres (MassWildlife)
DepthAverage 10 ft, maximum 35 ft
Boat rampCity of Taunton, concrete, off Bay St.
Ramp parking17 trailers
Other accessPull-off on Scadding Rd.
WaterTea-colored, clear to about 4 ft
NoteAnnual drawdown in fall and winter

Getting on the Water

The City of Taunton manages the concrete boat ramp and its parking area, with room for 17 vehicles with trailers, off Bay Street on the western shore. Unlike the cartop-only launches at Massasoit's Lake Rico, it takes trailered boats. There is also a small pull-off on Scadding Road, on town land, where you can reach the shore. Shallow boats and cartop craft can travel some way up the Snake River from the main lake. For rules and fees, contact the City of Taunton.

The Lake

MassWildlife describes the water as tea-colored and clear to about 4 feet, over a mostly mud bottom. Plants grow along the shoreline and in every cove, especially in the uniformly shallow northern end. Because the lake is lowered every year, depths change through fall and winter, so go slowly in unfamiliar water.

Fishing

MassWildlife lists largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow and white perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, golden shiner, banded killifish, tessellated darter and American eel. Bass and pickerel are abundant with the occasional big fish, and yellow perch and bluegill come in good numbers along weedy shorelines and in coves. The lake has produced bass, pickerel, perch and sunfish large enough for the state's sportfishing awards. Restoring fish passage on the Mill River should bring more herring into the lake. Shore anglers can fish from the ramp area south along Bay Street on state-owned land. A license is required at 15 and older.

A Busy Lake

Year-round homes line the shore, and MassWildlife notes heavy use in summer. For quieter, motor-free paddling, try Lake Rico or Big Bearhole Pond at Massasoit State Park.

Swimming

The sources we read for Lake Sabbatia do not name a public swimming beach. For a public beach with a bathhouse, DCR's Watson Pond State Park is nearby on Bay Street.

Nearby

A fishing rod leaning on a fallen log on a pond shore beside lily pads
FAQ

Lake Sabbatia FAQ

How big is Lake Sabbatia?

248 acres, according to MassWildlife, with an average depth of 10 feet and a maximum of 35.

Is there a boat ramp on Lake Sabbatia?

Yes. The City of Taunton runs a concrete ramp off Bay Street on the western shore, with parking for 17 trailers.

What fish are in Lake Sabbatia?

Largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow and white perch, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead and more.

Is Lake Sabbatia the same as Scaddings Pond?

Yes. MassWildlife lists Lake Sabbatia or Scaddings Pond as the same water.