Lakes & Ponds

Lake with treesBrooks Pond

Brooks Pond, located primarily in North Brookfield, was created by damming the Five Mile River. A favorite with canoeists and kayakers, the pond has a small beach that is open to the public but not staffed by lifeguards. It is located on Brooks Pond Road, which forks off Northwest Road off Route 31.

Browning Pond

Browning Pond, created to power a nearby sawmill, is located on Browning Pond Road off Route 31. It offers boating and fishing. 

Cranberry Meadow Pond

Cranberry Meadow Pond, created to power a nearby shoe peg factory and gristmill, is located on Cranberry Meadow Road. There is limited fishing from the shore.

Howe Pond

Howe Pond in Howe State Park was created to provide water power for the mills of the Howe family. In recent years it has become unsuitable for swimming, but fishing is still allowed. It is located on Howe Park Road off Route 31.

Stiles Reservoir

Stiles Reservoir was created to provide water power for the mills at Rochdale and North Oxford. Located on Chickering Road, there is limited fishing from the shore.

Sugden Reservoir

Sugden Reservoir, located off of Paxton Road, was created to provide a “reserve” water supply for the wire mills of Richard Sugden, a Spencer industrialist and philanthropist. While most of the shoreline is privately owned, shore access is available near the dam. Small boats can be launched from a gravel ramp off Donnelly Cross Road at the northeast corner of the lake. From Route 9, follow Donnelly Road to Donnelly Cross Road.

Thompson Pond

Thompson Pond was originally created to run a sawmill and later expanded by Richard Sugden for his wire mills in Upper and Lower Wire Village. It is located on Thompson Pond Road and offers limited fishing from the shore.

Lake Whittemore

Lake Whittemore, Spencer’s only natural lake, borders the north end of Luther Hill Park. The Town Beach is accessed through Luther Hill Park. There is no public boat access, but fishing is permitted from along the shore.