Stockbridge Bowl
Massachusetts · Berkshire
- 384 acres mapped (USGS NHD)
- 8.5 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
Stockbridge Bowl, off Route 183 in Stockbridge, is a raised great pond formed by impounding Larrywaug Brook. It covers 398 acres, averages 25 feet deep (52 max) and is usually clear to about 13 feet. Thick submerged and emergent weed beds grow here, especially in the outlet cove. Tanglewood, the music venue and performance school, shares the shore with youth sports camps and many seasonal and year-round homes. The lake is drawn down in winter, so its depths and size shrink then.
Fishing
Holdover trout are the main draw. A cold, oxygen-rich layer persists through summer, so stocked trout carry over from season to season and some grow large. Panfish are plentiful (sunfish, crappie, yellow perch), and a few run big. Award fish include largemouth bass; chain pickerel; and panfish such as black crappie, sunfish and yellow perch, and tiger, brook, brown and rainbow trout.
Species
MassWildlife surveys found largemouth and rock bass; chain pickerel; panfish such as black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed and yellow perch; brown bullhead; and golden shiner and white sucker. 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
The town of Stockbridge runs a two-lane concrete ramp off Route 183 (northwest shore) with a 40-car gravel lot. Cartop boaters and shore anglers can also use the Mahkeenac Lake Rd. right-of-way on the east shore: park at the gravel pull-off and step over the guard rail. Check with the town about fees and rules.
Ice fishing
Hard-water anglers do well here on perch and pickerel, and pickerel over 7 pounds have been reported (MassWildlife). Remember the winter drawdown changes depths.
Water facts
398 acres; average depth 25 ft; max 52 ft; clarity about 13 ft; winter drawdown.
Stocking history
| Species | Qty | Size | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trout | 09-30-2026 |
Nearby waters
- Laurel Lake · 4.2 km (MA)
- Richmond Pond · 8.9 km (MA)
- Queechy Lake · 11.2 km (NY)
- Goose Pond · 11.8 km (MA)
- Onota Lake · 15.2 km (MA)
- Lake Buel · 18.8 km (MA)
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)