Lake Garfield
Massachusetts · Berkshire
- 257 acres mapped (USGS NHD)
- 8.4 km shoreline
- County: Berkshire
- Shoreline outline: USGS NHD
- Massachusetts freshwater fishing (MassWildlife)
The pin marks the middle of the water, for directions. The shoreline on the map comes from USGS NHD.
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Overview
Lake Garfield is in Monterey, about half a mile north of the town center off Route 23. The 275-acre great pond was formed by impounding the Konkapot River. It averages 16 feet deep (35 max), with about 11 feet of visibility, over a mix of boulders, clay and mud. Weeds grow thick down to about 8 feet, especially in the inlet and outlet coves. There are roughly 75 homes on the shore. The lake is usually drawn down in fall and winter, and summers are busy with boaters and swimmers.
Fishing
Bass and pickerel are mostly average in size and numbers, with a good one now and then. Spring is the time to come: both the white perch and the freshly stocked trout can fish exceptionally well. Award fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; rainbow trout; and sunfish.
Species
MassWildlife surveys found largemouth, rock and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as bluegill, pumpkinseed, white perch and yellow perch; brown bullhead; and golden shiner and white sucker. Trout are stocked each spring.
Regulations
MassWildlife freshwater regulations apply: https://www.mass.gov/freshwater-fishing-regulations. Check local town or DCR rules for access fees and restrictions.
Licensing
A Massachusetts freshwater fishing license is required for anglers 15 and older.
Access
Monterey's cement ramp is off Tyringham Road at the northwest end, with grass parking. By town order, launching a trailered boat between 10am and 6pm requires police supervision. Contact the town of Monterey about launching, fees and rules.
Ice fishing
Jigging for yellow perch through the ice can be productive (MassWildlife).
Water facts
275 acres; average depth 16 ft; max 35 ft; clarity about 11 ft.
Safety & advisories
The fall and winter drawdown changes depths (MassWildlife).
Nearby waters
- Lake Buel · 6.6 km (MA)
- Goose Pond · 11.1 km (MA)
- Otis Reservoir · 13.3 km (MA)
- Laurel Lake · 17 km (MA)
- Stockbridge Bowl · 19.7 km (MA)
- Whiting River · 20.1 km (CT)
More in Berkshire
- Kinderhook Creek (NY)
- Whiting River (CT)
- Otis Reservoir (MA)
- Goose Pond (MA)
- Lake Buel (MA)
- Laurel Lake (MA)
MassWildlife (Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife)