Description
Ashmere Lake is a 287-acre impoundment of Bennett Brook located on Route 143 on the Hinsdale and Peru town line. The lake is divided into two basins by Route143 and access is permitted between the two by a culvert which is navigable to smaller boats. The average depth of Ashmere Lake is 8 feet with a maximum of 24 feet near the dam in the southern basin. Aquatic vegetation is abundant and often dense in the northern basin and common but patchy in the southern basin. The bottom is composed primarily of mud with large areas of rock and rubble in the western and southern sections of the southern basin. The southern shore of the south basin lies within Ashmere Lake State Park and is entirely wooded; elsewhere the shores are moderately developed with houses. Ashmere Lake is typically drawn down during fall and winter so use caution when navigating during these times as depth varies seasonally.
Recreational access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages a concrete boat ramp and parking area suitable for 10 trailers off of Hickingbotham Road (get directions). The shoreline may be accessed here and in Ashmere lake State Park which abuts the ramp. A smaller unimproved access point suitable for cartop boats is located off of Rt 143 with parking for 4 cars (get directions). Please contact the DCR offices of Pittsfield State Forest for additional information and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Ashmere Lake.
DCR managed concrete boat ramp off of Hickingbotham Rd.
Parking at DCR boat ramp.
Cartop access off of Rt. 143.
Small parking area off Rt. 143 at cartop access.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- black crappie
- rock bass
- pumpkinseed
- bluegill
- brown bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
Fishing
Bass are the primary game fish in Ashmere Lake. Largemouth bass are common throughout the lake whereas smallmouth bass are largely restricted to the deeper and rockier habitats of the southern basin. Yellow perch and bluegill are also abundant and can be found in either basin but do not typically reach larger sizes. Ashmere Lake has produced largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, sunfish, and bullhead that meet minimum sizes for recognition by the Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.
More fishing resources:
Stop aquatic hitchhikers
Prevent the transport of nuisance species; clean all recreational equipment. Visit ProtectYourWaters.net to learn more.