Stockbridge Bowl is located in the Berkshires in the town of Stockbridge just off of Route 183. The 372 acre water body has a maximum depth of approximately 48 feet and can be fished from the shore and by boat. Ice fishing is very popular on Stockbridge Bowl during the winter months. There is a lot of boat traffic on the lake during the summer months which makes fishing Stockbridge Bowl very difficult during this time of year. I’ve caught plenty of fish in Stockbridge Bowl throughout the years and thought that I would share some tips for fishing Stockbridge Bowl with you.
Species Of Fish Found In Stockbridge Bowl
Stockbridge Bowl was last surveyed in 1988 and according to the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries & Wildlife the following species of fish were present in Stockbridge Bowl;
- Largemouth Bass
- Chain Pickerel
- Yellow Perch
- Bluegill
- Pumpkinseed
- Black Crappie
- White Sucker
- Yellow Bullhead
- Rockbass
- Golden Shiner
Stockbridge Bowl is also stocked each spring and fall with rainbow trout and brown trout by the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries & Wildlife.
Fishing Stockbridge Bowl From The Shore
Berkshire County fishermen flock to the shores of Stockbridge Bowl to catch stocked trout every spring and fall. There are two main spots for shore fishing Stockbridge Bowl. The first is the Stockbridge Bowl boat ramp which is located just off of Route 183. The second is the causeway which is located on Hawthorne Road.
Most local anglers who fish for trout in Stockbridge Bowl from the shore will typically fish the lake bottom with either Berkley PowerBait
The Stockbridge Bowl outlet, located at Lake Drive South in Stockbridge, MA used to be one of the best shoreline trout fishing spots on the lake. Unfortunately however, work was done on the banks which required that trees be cut down and removed. These trees provided shade which helped to reduce the amount of vegetative growth on this end of the lake. Since then, more and more weeds have been able to grow in the Stockbridge Bowl outlet and as a result I have caught much less trout in the outlet than I used to. Not all is lost as the Stockbridge Bowl outlet has become a wonderful habitat for bass and pickerel. I have caught plenty of bass and pickerel from this part of Stockbridge Bowl using either a jointed Rapala
Lilly Brook Pond is located opposite the causeway on Stockbridge Bowl on the Hawthorne Road side of the lake. Panfish, white sucker, and yellow bullhead can be caught in this waterbody using worms with a simple bobber rig.
Fishing Stockbridge Bowl By Boat
There is a lot of boat traffic on Stockbridge Bowl during the summer months which can make fishing the lake by boat very difficult. Your best bet is to get out early and troll for trout using a Luhr Jensen Dipsy Diver
Ice Fishing At Stockbridge Bowl
I have used minnow rigged tip-ups to catch trout, bass, and pickerel when ice fishing at Stockbridge Bowl.
Recommended Fishing Lures For Stockbridge Bowl
Sources
MassWildlife Western District Pond Maps – Stockbridge Bowl, February, 1998.