Description
Stockbridge Bowl is a 398-acre raised Great Pond and impoundment of Larrywaug Brook located off Route 183 in Stockbridge. Stockbridge Bowl has an average depth of 25 feet, a maximum depth of 52 feet, and water transparency averages around 13 feet. Dense beds of submerged and emergent aquatic vegetation are present, particularly in the outlet cove. There are many seasonal and permanent dwellings along the shoreline including the music venue and performance school Tanglewood and several youth sports camps. Stockbridge Bowl is subject to a drawdown during winter, thus, water depths and statistics such as lake size will not reflect actual conditions during this time.
Recreational access
The town of Stockbridge manages a two lane concrete boat ramp with a 40-car parking lot off of Route 183 on the northwestern shore (get directions). Cartop boat and shore access is also possible from within the right-of-way on Mahkeenac Lake Rd. on the eastern shore (get directions). Parking is provided by a gravel pull-off and the water can be accessed by crossing the guard rail. Please contact the town of Stockbridge for additional information, fee structure, and/or additional restrictions pertaining to public access of Stockbridge Bowl.
The large boat ramp on Stockbridge Bowl off of Route 183.
Gravel parking area at the Stockbridge Bowl boat launch.
Cartop boat and shore access from within the Mahkeenac Lake Rd. right of way.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- chain pickerel
- yellow perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- rock bass
- pumpkinseed
- brown bullhead
- white sucker
- golden shiner
Stockbridge Bowl is stocked each spring and fall with trout.
Fishing
Stockbridge Bowl maintains a layer of cold, oxygenated water throughout the warm summer months which enables trout to holdover for multiple seasons. These holdover trout are a major draw for anglers as some may grow to considerable size. For those who fish for warm water species, sunfish, black crappie, and yellow perch are abundant with some larger individuals present. Ice fishing for yellow perch and chain pickerel is also a very popular and productive. Chain pickerel exceeding 7 pounds have been reported. Stockbridge Bowl has produced largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch, sunfish, chain pickerel, tiger trout, brook trout, brown trout, 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.