Ice Fishing Spots and Derbys This Winter

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
11:12AM / Wednesday, February 04, 2026Print Story | Email Story

With winter really upon us and temperatures hitting negatives you might be wondering where a great spot for ice fishing might be. Throughout Berkshire county there are many different bodies of water to choose from.

Be sure to have your fishing license for those 15 years or older that you can purchase online through MassFishHunt.

Also make sure the ice is thick enough before heading out as well as let someone know where you are going. Have an ice fishing destination you want included on our list–email info@iberskhires.com.

Stockbridge Bowl
Stockbridge

The lake is a popular scenic spot. Fishermen are known to catch trout, bass, and sunfish here. This is the perfect place to set up your tent or chair and cut a hole for your fish.

Laurel Lake
Lee

Laurel Lake is not only a great view but bass are a popular catch. There's a public paved ramp and large parking lot located on the southern tip of the lake.

Pontoosuc Lake
Pittsfield

This spot is best known for its yellow perch. It's quite popular for ice fishing so you're sure to also meet some new friends out on the ice.

Be sure to participate in this year's annual ice fishing derby on Saturday, Feb. 21.

More information here.

Onota Lake
Pittsfield

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

Cheshire Reservoir
Cheshire

This is a great spot to catch bass, pickerel and pike.

Be sure to participate in the years annual ice fishing derby on Sunday, February 8th.

More information here.

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.

Mercers Pond
Great Barrington

A great place to set up a tent and make a hole for the perfect fish to hopefully win at this year's fishing derby on Saturday, Feb. 14.

More information here.

Be sure to safely get on the ice and make sure if it's good for you to go out on, MassWildlife has many tips so that you can keep yourself and others safe when ice fishing.

Tags: ice fishing,

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If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Letter: Rate Filing by Berkshire Gas Company

Letter to the Editor03:00PM / Wednesday, February 25, 2026

To the Editor:

This is a testimonial letter submitted to the Public Utilities Commission:

Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
Re: D.P.U. 25-170 – Rate Filing by The Berkshire Gas Company

To the Commissioners:

I write in unequivocal opposition to the rate increase proposed in D.P.U. 25-170 and, specifically, to challenge the excessive and unjustified return on equity (ROE) and capital structure assumptions embedded in this filing.

At its core, this case is not simply about infrastructure or cost recovery. It is about how much profit Berkshire Gas expects Massachusetts ratepayers to guarantee corporate interests regardless of economic conditions.

The requested ROE asks working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and small businesses to underwrite private shareholder returns that are insulated from the very market risks everyone else must bear.

That is not equitable, and it is not consistent with the Department's duty to ensure rates are just and reasonable.

A regulated monopoly is not entitled to premium-market returns without premium-market risk. Utilities operate with guaranteed customer bases, cost recovery mechanisms, and regulatory protections that dramatically reduce exposure compared to competitive enterprises. When risk is reduced, allowed return must follow. Anything else is a windfall at the public's expense.

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