LivewellMassachusetts · Boxford County · Lake
Stiles Pond
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Stiles Pond, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: DDT
Massachusetts also has statewide guidance
Massachusetts publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Stiles Pond below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For children under 12 and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Stiles Pond
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | All other people | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated DDT. |
| Children under 12 and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant | For children under 12 and people who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated DDT. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Stiles Pond
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
DDT
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Massachusetts's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 28" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Inland Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Massachusetts — Massachusetts DFW