Windsor Lake in North Adams, Massachusetts is one of Northern Berkshire County’s premiere destinations for outdoor recreation. Visitors of Windsor Lake can enjoy activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, hiking, and even disc golf! Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the trails surrounding Windsor Lake are popular activities during the winter months.
Fishing Windsor Lake in North Adams, Massachusetts
Windsor Lake is a 24 acre reservoir with a maximum depth of approximately 19 feet and an average depth of 8 feet. Windsor Lake is stocked each spring and fall with rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout. It is the stocked trout that attracts the most anglers to Windsor Lake in the spring and fall. Bass and chain pickerel can be caught at Windsor Lake during the summer months, there is ample vegetative growth to support this species of fish.
Species of fish found in Windsor Lake
The following species of fish have been observed in Windsor Lake;
- Largemouth Bass
- Chain Pickerel
- Brown Bullhead
- Yellow Perch
- Pumpkinseed
- Black Crappie
- Rock Bass
Fishing for trout in Windsor Lake
There is ample shoreline access to Windsor lake. Parking is available on Windsor Lake Road which is just off of Bradley Street. Since you’ll primarily be fishing for stocked trout, I would recommend using Berkley PowerBait or even trout worms to fish off of the bottom of the lake. Smaller Thomas Bouyants, Dardevles, Rooster Tails, or Panther Martin trout lures work extremely well for catching trout at Windsor Lake. If you’re fishing for bass or pickerel at Windsor Lake, you’ll want to try to draw the fish out of the vegetative growth by using a floating Rapala or rubber worm such as Berkley’s Power Worm. The Power Worms in particular are some of the best rubber worms that I have ever used for catching bass!
Outdoor recreation at Windsor Lake
If you haven’t already been to Windsor Lake you simply must go and see it for yourself. The lake and surrounding shoreline are absolutely stunning. There is a large picnic area, snack shack, and a public beach that can be enjoyed during the summer months. There is also a playground that is available for children (or the kid in all of us) to use.
There is a small boat launch located on Bradley Street. Please be advised that motorboats are not allowed in the lake. I did observe a number of people kayaking when I visited Windsor Lake this past weekend.
Each summer from June through August the City of North Adams hosts a free summer concert series at Windsor Lake. There is also an 18 hole disc golf course at Windsor Lake. I have honestly never played disc golf, but it would appear that the Windsor Lake disc golf course is quite popular as it has received excellent reviews.
Lastly, it appears that there was once a ski area that was located at Windsor Lake. I’ve found evidence of an old rope tow that appears as if it was decommissioned many years ago. If anyone has information about the ski area that once operated at Windsor Lake could you please contact me or write something in the comments section below? I am really interested in learning about when this ski area was in operation.
Windsor Lake is also the home of the Historic Valley Campground
The Historic Valley Campground is just down the road from the public beach and picnic area. There are 100 sites available at the Historic Valley Campground including lakeside sites and pull-through RV sites with sewer and electrical hookups. Seasonal campers are welcome. The facilities at the Historic Valley Campground are in excellent condition. The Historic Valley Campground has its own private beach, there is also a playground.Â
