Physical Features
Elevation: 6 feet
Area: 20 acres
Shoreline Length: 4910 feet
Maximum depth: 6 feet
Town: Oyster Bay
Access
The entire reservoir is located inside a Nassau County Preserve. Public access is via foot paths around the reservoir.
Directions: The reservoir is located just south of Clark Street and north of Sunrise Highway (Route 27) with Lake Shore Drive and Parkside Boulevard bordering to the east and west. Park on Lake Shore Drive or in a dirt turnoff area off Sunrise Highway just east of the Massapequa Train Station. This lake is easily accessible by train from the LIRR Babylon Branch at the Massapequa Train Station.
Restrictions: Boats are prohibited, but shoreline access is available.
Fish Species
Naturally reproducing:
- Largemouth Bass
- Pumpkinseed
- Bluegill
- Brown Bullhead
- Carp
- American Eel
Stocked:
Trout are stocked in the spring and fall
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
Fishing
Massapequa Reservoir is a very popular fishing spot in Nassau County that might just be the most heavily fished pond on Long Island. Located within a Nassau County Preserve, it is stocked with trout in the spring and fall, which draws heavy crowds of people, especially on the weekends. The reservoir is one of the better largemouth bass fishing locations in Nassau County. The eastern half of the pond is dominated by coontail and spatterdock (aquatic plants) that make it very difficult to fish, but is worth it if you can. The western half of the pond is more open, making it an ideal spot to try to catch sunfish or bass during the summer. Carp are plentiful as well, and provide a good tug on the line when hooked.
Invasive Species
For the past five years, DEC Region 1 fisheries staff and volunteers have been working to remove water chestnut from Massapequa Reservoir. 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.
Each spring, fisheries staff along with volunteers from other DEC units and the public conduct a water chestnut removal on Massapequa Reservoir. The spring removal is followed by a mid-summer visit to the reservoir, to remove any remaining plants.
Please help prevent the spread of invasive species. After visiting a waterbody, 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.
Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations Apply
Health Advice on Eating Fish You Catch
Visit NYS Department of Health website for health advice on eating fish you catch.
Sweetwater Angler Profile of Massapequa Reservoir (Fall 2000)
Few places on Long Island are worthy of being called great fisheries: Massapequa Reservoir is one of them. Massapequa reservoir is located in Nassau County off of Sunrise Highway (State Route 27). It is approximately 20 acres in size with enough shoreline access to accommodate a large number of fishermen. This is fortunate since there are no boats allowed on Nassau County park waters. It has one outlet dam located on the south end of the lake, and is fed by Massapequa Creek located on the northeast end. At one time Massapequa Reservoir was a reservoir for Brooklyn Waterworks; however, it was transferred to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation sometime in the early 1900's. It was transferred again to Nassau county and is now part of a Nassau County preserve.
A variety of species of fish inhabit the reservoir. These species are largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, brown bullhead, common carp, American eel, golden shiners, and banded killifish. Every spring and fall brown and rainbow trout are stocked into the reservoir. There is a special regulation on trout in Nassau County with a daily limit of 5 fish of any size all year round.
Massapequa Reservoir has a long history as a fishery. In the late 1800's it was known as an excellent trout fishery. People used to come on the Long Island Railroad from all over New York to try their luck. Today that trout fishery is maintained by stocking. In addition to the trout fishery, Massapequa Reservoir also offers a very good warmwater fishery. During a spring 1999 electrofishing survey, the fisheries unit caught 46 largemouth bass:18 of which were 12 inches or more. The largemouth bass fishery has improved during the 1990's, probably due to the increase in coontail (a submergent weed) which gave the fish some protection from anglers. The no-kill regulation on bass in Nassau County should continue to improve the quality of the bass population. During the 1999 survey, 141 bluegill, and 55 pumpkinseed sunfish were also caught. These fish provide good action when other fish species aren't biting and are a favorite fish of the kids that frequent the reservoir's shores. Carp are also plentiful in the lake and have a strong angler following at Massapequa Reservoir. Some good spots to hit on the reservoir are by the dam, in the southeast corner, and, if you are going for carp, try the east shoreline. All these places have produced good fish in the past. When fishing the reservoir, keep in mind that night fishing is not permitted since the preserve closes at dusk
Massapequa Reservoir was one of the lakes that were surveyed during a Nassau county creel survey. From the information obtained we have concluded that anglers made 6,300 trips to the reservoir between April 1, 1999 to November 5, 1999. It is the most heavily fished lake in Nassau County.
Finding the reservoir is easy. It is on the North side of the Long Island Rail Road between the Massapequa and Massapequa Park train station on Sunrise highway. Many people park in the informal parking area just east of where Massapequa Creek goes under Sunrise Highway (State Route 27). Just follow the bike path under the railroad tracks to the reservoir.
