Towns: West Stockbridge
Acreage: 273
Wildlife Management Zone: 3
Description
This property is comprised of an extensive wetland complex, managed fields, and intermittent patches of forested swamp. The slow-flowing Flat Brook winds through the property from west to east. Extensive marshes and shrub swamps are created in backwater areas and altered by beaver presence. The flowing waters include connections between Cranberry Pond and Crane Lake eventually flowing off the property towards Shaker Mill Pond. The upland areas are dominated by old agricultural fields which are mowed annually for habitat and recreational use. The shrubby wetlands are thick and provide excellent wildlife habitat. The underlying geology of the area contributes to the productive nature of the wetlands which are home to extensive plant life. An old raised rail bed running east to west can be found in the center of the WMA.
Location, access, & parking
The WMA can be accessed from Baker Street or Route 41. There is a formal grassy parking area on the east side of Baker Street that can accommodate 3 or 4 vehicles. A parking area for launching a canoe/kayak to Cranberry Pond is located on the west side of Route 41. Roadside parking is possible at additional sites along Route 41 and Baker Street. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
The fields are mowed annually to keep habitats open and for recreational hunting of upland birds. Strips are mowed in the large field adjacent to the Baker Street parking area.
Learn more about MassWildlife’s habitat management activities.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
The backwater wetlands and Cranberry Pond are excellent locations for waterfowl hunting. Access to these areas requires a boat to be most effective. white-tailed deer can be found in the forested edges of the wetlands and in the fields at certain times of the year. American woodcock can be found in the western sections of the WMA. The area is stocked with ring-necked pheasant each week during the pheasant season and is a popular and easy place to hunt open field habitats. Flat Brook offers fishing opportunities for native Brook Trout, Chain Pickerel, and sunfish species. Anglers can access Crane Lake and Cranberry Pond from this WMA. Crane Lake is a quality warmwater fishery with fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, bullheads, and sunfish. Cranberry Pond is shallower with more aquatic vegetation than Crane Lake but still contains largemouth bass and sunfish. Fish can also be found in the small waterway connecting the two ponds and in the beaver flowages.
Wildlife viewing & other features
This WMA is best experienced by canoe, kayak, or small boat. Cranberry Pond is a small but beautiful body of water where it is common to see wading birds, waterfowl, semi-aquatic mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The area is particularly impressive when the water lilies are in full bloom. The waterway connecting to Crane Lake is easily navigable, and the backwater areas are a great place to explore aquatic botany and look for wildlife. Paddlers who follow the brook downstream can continue on to Shaker Mill Pond after leaving the property. The entirety of the water trail through the property makes this WMA a great place to visit by small boat.
Regulations
During the pheasant season, a “hunter orange “ hat is required for all hunters and hunting hours are sunrise to sunset unless night hunting for Raccoons and Opossums.
About Wildlife Management Areas
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation. All WMAs are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities. Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer for an interactive map of MassWildlife properties.
You can support land protection in Massachusetts. Contributions to the Wildlands Fund help pay for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Learn more about the Wildlands Fund.