The area is serene and devoid of human activity. Marsh grasses and
cat-o-nine tails border the shoreline which is teeming with
wildlife. On boating trips down the river, I have spotted deer,
purple martins, red-winged blackbirds, swans and frogs. If you
explore further down the river past the cache, be aware that there
is a gunderboom crossing the river. It is a floating curtain that
helps prevent weed-promoting nutrients from flowing down the Back
River into Lake Attitash. You can cross over the gunderboom if you
would like to explore the river further. Look for the "crease" in
the top of the gunderboom on the left side and carefully paddle
your boat up and over it.
Lake Attitash is a lake located on the border of Merrimac,
Massachusetts and Amesbury, Massachusetts, and constitutes a
portion of Amesbury's water supply. The lake was formerly known as
"Kimball's Pond" and was renamed in the 1800's to "Lake Attitash"
which means "blueberries all around." The lake is 360-acres and
averages about 12 feet deep. The deepest point is about 35
feet.
Boating, swimming and fishing are all allowed on the lake which
is busy year around. Lake Attitash is good largemouth bass and
chain pickerel water, but it is primarily known as one of the best
northern pike waters in the Northeast District. Pike in excess of
20 pounds have been reported from here. In the winter, it is a
popular lake for ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country
skiing.