image description — The new boardwalk at Pontoosuc Lake Park in Pittsfield. The area has several access points for shore fishing.

Great Spots to Catch a Fish in Berkshire County

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
10:03AM / Saturday, September 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

Windsor Lake in North Adams is regularly stocked with trout.

Summer may be winding down, but there is still plenty of time and great weather to catch some fish.

Most major lakes, ponds, and rivers, including the Housatonic, are open to fishing year-round with catch limits; smaller rivers and brooks have catch limits of three after Sept. 11 and eight after April 1. Find a list of fishing seasons and limits here.

Berkshire County has scenic places to sail this fall as well as stand on the edge and cast out.

Windsor Lake

North Adams

Affectionately known as Fish Pond, this small lake is stocked with rainbow trout, some brook and brown trout, and chain pickerel. Restrooms and dairy bar are open seasonally and there is a public beach and campground.

Pontoosuc Lake
Pittsfield

This lake is popular not only in the summer months but also in the winter months for ice fishing. This spot is best known for its yellow perch.

Farnam's Causeway
Cheshire

The causeway on Farnam's Road splits Cheshire Reservoir. There are multiple fishing piers on the north side and a boat launch on the south side, plus public restrooms.

If you forget any fishing necessities there is also a shack that carries live bait. This spot is popular for large mouth bass.

Laurel Lake
Lee

Laurel Lake is not only a great view but a great place to boat or fish. Bass are a popular catch. There's a public paved ramp and large parking lot located on the southern tip of the lake and there is no fee to launch.

Beartown State Forest and Campground
Great Barrington

Enjoy a picnic while also using the pier to fish out of Benedict Pond. If you need a break from fishing you can enjoy a lunch at one of the many park benches, a dip in the public beach, or a walk along the water on one of the trails.

The launch at Onoto Lake in Pittsfield.

Stockbridge Bowl
Stockbridge

This is another spot you can boat but also fish from the edge. The lake is also a popular scenic spot. Fishermen are known to catch trout, bass, and sunfish here.

Onota Lake
Pittsfield

Park your car at Burbank Park and head over to the boat launch to sail out into Onota Lake. No boat? No problem! You can also stand on the pier to cast.

Onota Lake is stocked with hundreds of rainbow trout every year, and with the right bait you're sure to get a catch.

Tags: fishing,

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North Adams Councilors to Speak Against Berkshire Gas Rate Hike

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:16PM / Wednesday, February 04, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Public Services Committee is planning a show of force at Thursday's public hearing on rate hikes for Berkshire Gas Co.

The rate increase was raised at its Tuesday meeting, when Chair Peter Breen said "utilities" had been added to the committee's review.

"Because public utilities are controlled by the municipality — the electric, the natural gas, the cable — those are all part of public service," he said, explaining why Council President Ashley Shade had made the change. "We negotiate, we legislate. And a good example right now is on Thursday, there's a public hearing. The Berkshire Gas company wants to raise the rate 21 percent to 27 percent."

The utility is asking to adjust distribution rates to generate $22.2 million, which it anticipates will result in a 21.6 percent rate increase on average. In filings with the state's Department of Public Utilities, Berkshire Gas is estimating up to about $54 a month increase for residential heating and $12 for non-heating customers.

Gov. Maura Healey has stated her opposition to the proposal, calling the rate hike unaffordable for Massachusetts customers.

"This proposed increase in utility bills could not come at a worse time for families and businesses in Western Mass. It's why we took $180 million off electric bills and pushed the utilities to provide immediate relief to gas customers this winter," she said in a statement, referring to the use of state funds to cut heating costs in February and March.

A public hearing was held last week in Greenfield; a virtual hearing is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, and an in-person one at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Berkshire Community College.

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