Onota Lake

Overview

Onota Lake, just outside Pittsfield, has long been known for trophy trout, especially browns, with fish over 10 pounds reported. The 653-acre great pond was formed by impounding Onota Brook. It averages 21 feet deep, drops to 72, and is clear to about 17 feet. Anywhere under 10 feet, weeds grow thick, especially in the northern coves. About a quarter of the shore is protected in Pittsfield's Burbank Park, and most homes are at the northeast and southwest ends. Easy access makes it busy with anglers, swimmers, water-skiers and sailors.

Fishing

A cold, oxygen-rich layer holds through summer, so trout carry over and grow big. That includes rainbows, brookies and tigers as well as the famous browns. Pike are scarce but run large; recent years produced a 27-pounder. Most anglers chase pike and trout, but pickerel, bass, perch and sunfish can be very good too. Carp of 10-20 pounds turn up now and then. Award fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel and northern pike; black crappie; and common carp, yellow and white perch, sunfish, and rainbow, brown, brook and tiger trout.

Species

MassWildlife surveys found largemouth, rock and smallmouth bass; chain pickerel and northern pike; panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, redbreast sunfish, white perch and yellow perch; brown bullhead; and banded killifish, common carp, common shiner, golden shiner, rainbow smelt and white sucker. Channel and white catfish are reported occasionally. Trout are stocked every spring and fall.

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

Burbank Park, off Valentine Drive on the east shore, has a two-lane concrete ramp that can take just about any trailered boat, plus a 75-car lot. Its fishing pier reaches almost 75 feet out, and you can cast into water up to 45 feet deep from it. Shore fishing is good there and along Dan Casey Memorial Drive on the north shore, where a widened shoulder fits about 20 cars. Contact the city of Pittsfield about rules.

Amenities

Fishing pier, two-lane ramp and parking in Burbank Park.

Water facts

653 acres; average depth 21 ft; max 72 ft; clarity about 17 ft.

Nearby waters

• Pontoosuc Lake · 4.1 km (MA)
• Richmond Pond · 7 km (MA)
• Cheshire Reservoir · 11.5 km (MA)
• Black River · 12.2 km (NY)
• Queechy Lake · 12.8 km (NY)
• Stockbridge Bowl · 15.2 km (MA)

More in Berkshire

• Kinderhook Creek (NY)
• Whiting River (CT)
• Otis Reservoir (MA)
• Goose Pond (MA)
• Lake Buel (MA)
• Laurel Lake (MA)