Stockbridge Bowl Fishing Spot

• Acreage: 372
• Public Fishing: Yes
• Mean Depth: 27'
• Max Depth: 48'
• Elevation: 924'
• Bathymetry Map: View Stockbridge Bowl Bathymetry Map
• Website: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/ponds/pdf/dfwstock.pdf
• Last Modified By: carpmaster on 08/02/09 09:05 AM
• Ask about Stockbridge Bowl in our Fishing Forums

This 372-acre great pond is among the most heavily used in the state. Maximum depth is 48 feet; average depth is approximately 27 feet. Transparency is generally good, running around 13 feet, but is sometimes reduced drastically by algal blooms. High fertility causes these blooms as well as the dense beds of aquatic weeds, particularly in the outlet cove. There are well over 350 seasonal or permanent dwellings on the immediate watershed and a number of youth sports camps. Access is provided by a double, concrete boat ramp with a 40-car parking lot on the northwestern shore, easily reached via a short driveway from Route 183. The ramps, constructed by the Public Access Board, are suitable for most moderate draft trailer boats. Fish Populations: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, rainbow trout, brown trout, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow bullhead, black crappie, rock bass, golden shiner and white sucker. The trout are the result of annual spring and fall stockings.

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife releases catchable trout here each spring and fall, which dominate the sport fishery. Since competition with skiers, sailors, kayakers and speed boaters virtually precludes fishing here during the summer, it prevents the resident species from being harvested. In any case, bass and pickerel are not abundant and display poor growth rates, although many of the fish present are of legal size or better. Panfishing should be encouraged here and is easily possible from a causeway at the inlet on the eastern shore. The black crappie (calicos) are probably the best panfish in terms of size, although they are far outnumbered by yellow perch, which on average are of relatively small size. Ice fishing for chain pickerel and yellow perch is popular.