Place to Fish

Massapequa Lake

Physical Features:

Area: 40 acres
Shoreline Length: 1.43 miles
Maximum depth: 5 feet
Town: Oyster Bay

Access:

Nassau County Park

Directions: Massapequa Lake is located in the Massapequa Preserve just north of Merrick Road. Take Merrick Road a few blocks east of Route 107. The lake will be on the north side of Merrick Road.

Restrictions: Boats are prohibited, but shoreline access is available.

Fish Species:

Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, White Perch.

Fishing:

Massapequa Lake has a no-kill black bass regulation which was implemented in 1998. Since then the Largemouth Bass population in the lake has improved greatly. Patient anglers will have a chance at bass over 15 inches long. The lake also supports a very strong bluegill and yellow perch population. During the most recent survey of Massapequa lake, the catch for both species was over 80 fish per hour. Good sized panfish are abundant in the lake, but anglers should expect to catch many more small fish. The lake becomes difficult to fish during the summer due to heavy growth of spatterdock and water chestnut. These plants grow out of the water creating dense mats of vegetation that anglers cannot fish through. Targeting the edges of these mats should reward bass anglers with a few large fish. Common carp also grow very large in Massapequa lake, with fish over 10 pounds reported often.

Invasive Species:

Water chestnut is an invasive aquatic plant native to Eurasia and Africa. During the summer, the leaves of the plant form dense mats on the water surface that can be difficult or nearly impossible to fish through. The fruits of the plant are hard nut with sharp, barbed spines that can painful wounds if stepped on.

Please help prevent the spread of invasive species. After visiting a water body, take an extra moment to remove any plant debris that you see on your clothing, or fishing gear. If you use waders in a waterbody where invasive species exist, it is best to wash them and allow the waders to dry completely before wearing them in another waterbody.