Towns: Great Barrington, Stockbridge
Acreage: 785
Wildlife Management Zone: 3
Description
The Agawam Lake WMA features a variety of habitats including extensive wetlands and overgrown fields. A very steep hill, rising 750 vertical feet in just over 1,500 ground feet, overlooks the west side of Agawam lake. The 18 acre lake is surrounded by roughly 100 acres of marsh making Agawam Lake a quiet haven for wildlife.
Location, access, & parking
There is an unmaintained parking lot for 3 vehicles located on the east side of Route 7 that is accessible only during hunting seasons. Additional limited street parking can be found on the western side of Route 7. This property can be accessed from the parking area or from Flag Rock WCE at the end of Grove Street in Great Barrington. There are a series of old logging trails on the east side of Route 7 which allow for access to this property. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
Opportunities to pursue white-tailed deer, especially on the section of property bordering an orchard and open fields, can be found here. A large part of the property is forested wetlands which provide great habitat for snowshoe hare. The swamp and pond offer great waterfowl habitat and hunting/trapping opportunities. Winter renders the pond accessible to ice fishermen who catch small chain pickerel and perch.
Wildlife viewing & other features
The rich bedrock under the Agawam Lake and Konkapot Brook wetlands support a variety of uncommon natural communities, including a calcareous basin fen, a calcareous seepage swamp, and a rich conifer swamp. These in turn support numerous rare plants and animals. Great blue herons historically nested along Konkapot Brook. Marsh birds and other songbirds frequent the area.
Regulations
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.