Pachaug Pond, Connecticut, USA

Pachaug Pond is nestled in the town of Griswold, in southeastern Connecticut and is the state’s largest public water body east of the Connecticut River. With over 800 surface acres to ‘play on’, residents and visitors enjoy excellent outdoor activities including fishing, swimming, boating, camping, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, hiking and more. Pachaug Pond is an outdoor lovers delight for visitors wanting a relaxing time away from the bustle of larger cities.

Pachaug Pond Dam is owned and operated by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. The dam impounds water in the Thames River Drainage and is primarily fed by the Pachaug River with some smaller streams and Glasgo Pond. The dam creates a volume of over 5,500 acre-feet. Pachaug Pond is relatively shallow with a maximum depth of sixteen feet.

Pachaug Pond fishing is quite good and is one of the main activities for residents and visitors alike. Anglers will find northern pike (the state stocks thousands of pike fingerlings annually) and a nice population of largemouth bass. Other species to be taken are chain pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, white perch, sunfish, and catfish. The fishing action is fine and Pachaug Pond is a favorite fishing derby location with over ten derbies held annually. A boat ramp near the dam provides access to the pond.

Although there are no campgrounds around Pachaug Pond, the adjacent Hopeville Pond and its state park provides seasonal camping from mid-April through September. Hopeville Pond State Park has 80 wooded sites and hiking trails. For the Geocaching aficionado, there are over 50 caches in a ten mile area (many more outside this).

Every year there is the Great Pachaug Canoe and Kayak race with distances ranging from 2.8 to 11 miles for the racing paddler. The race covers both Hopeville Pond and Pachaug Pond with a portage around the Pachaug Pond Dam. Ending at the State Park, most participants take advantage of the great swimming beach and picnic areas.

Pachaug Pond has something for everyone – boating, fishing, hiking, and just the pure outdoor enjoyment of nature make this a ‘must do’ in Connecticut.

Reference: A Fisheries Guide to Lakes and Ponds of Connecticut, published by the Department of Environmental Protection, Hartford, Connecticut, 2002