Description
Lake Garfield is a 275-acre great pond and impoundment of the Konkapot River located about a half mile north of the center of Monterey off Route 23. Lake Garfield has an average depth is 16 feet, a maximum depth of 35 feet, and water typically transparent to 11 feet. The pond bottom is a mixture of boulders, clay, and mud, and aquatic vegetation is abundant to a depth of about 8 feet, particularly in the inlet and outlet coves. The shoreline is moderately developed with approximately 75 dwellings. Lake Garfield is typically drawn down during fall and winter so take caution as depths vary seasonally.
Recreational access
The Town of Monterey manages a cement boat ramp and grass parking area off Tyringham Road on the northwestern end of the lake (get directions). Launching a trailered craft between the hours of 10am and 6pm requires police supervision per order of the town. Please contact the town of Monterey for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access and the launching of a boat at Lake Garfield.
The boat ramp, found at the western end of Garfield Lake.
An alternative view of the boat ramp of Garfield Lake.
The roadside parking for the boat ramp of Garfield Lake.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- chain pickerel
- white perch
- yellow perch
- pumpkinseed
- bluegill
- rock bass
- brown bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
Lake Garfield is stocked each spring with trout.
Fishing
Lake Garfield occasionally produces a good size bass or chain pickerel, but in general, gamefish are average in size and abundance. However, angling for white perch and stocked trout can be exceptional during spring and jigging for yellow perch through the ice in winter can also be productive. Lake Garfield can get very busy during the summer as boating and swimming are very popular here. Lake Garfield has produced largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, sunfish, and rainbow trout 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.