Mashpee Pond, together with adjoining Wakeby Pond, forms the largest freshwater pond system on Cape Cod at 737 acres. The ponds are connected by a channel and share similar characteristics, with Mashpee forming the southern basin and Wakeby the northern basin. A large undeveloped peninsula known as the Lowell Holly Reservation separates the two bodies of water.

Primary access is via a paved public boat ramp with parking for 30 vehicles at Fisherman's Landing Road. During summer months, the town charges a parking fee. Alternative access is available on the southeast side of Wakeby Pond off South Sandwich Road.

The pond system features moderate aquatic vegetation and a bottom composed primarily of rubble and gravel with some sandy areas. Water clarity is fair, with transparency measuring 8.5 feet. Maximum depth reaches 95 feet, with an average depth of 30 feet. The shoreline spans 7.4 miles and is largely developed with homes, town beaches, and summer camps, though three undeveloped islands (Jefferson, Keith and Cleveland) dot Wakeby Pond.

The ponds are fed by groundwater with no inlet streams. The sole outlet is the Mashpee River, which flows to Popponesset Bay. A cranberry bog borders Wakeby Pond's east side, while forest dominates much of the remaining shoreline. The Lowell Holly Reservation peninsula features over 50 varieties of holly trees.

For paddlers interested in wildlife, the pond system supports diverse fish populations including largemouth and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, and white perch. The pond is stocked with brook, brown, and rainbow trout in spring and fall. Sea-run herring make their way up from Nantucket Sound through the Mashpee River, providing abundant forage for gamefish.

A typical paddling circuit of both ponds takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The open water can be subject to wind, so paddlers should monitor conditions.