Stockbridge Bowl

Stockbridge Bowl is a deep, clear 398-acre lake off Route 183 in Stockbridge. Like Onota, it keeps a layer of cold, oxygenated water all summer, so stocked trout carry over from year to year and some grow large. MassWildlife lists it as a best bet for trophy brown trout and chain pickerel, and its winter perch and pickerel fishing is popular.

When to fish

• Spring and fall: MassWildlife stocks trout in both seasons; the holdovers are the real draw.
• Summer: sunfish, crappie and yellow perch are abundant, with some big ones.
• Winter: ice fishing for yellow perch and chain pickerel is popular and productive; MassWildlife says pickerel over 7 pounds have been reported. The lake is drawn down in winter, so expect lower water.

Where to fish

• The deep water: the lake averages 25 feet and reaches 52, and that cold water is where the trout survive the summer.
• The outlet cove: the densest weed beds are here.

Getting there

The town of Stockbridge runs a two-lane concrete ramp with a 40-car lot off Route 183 on the northwest shore. On the east shore you can launch a cartop boat or fish from the shore within the public right-of-way on Mahkeenac Lake Road, parking in a gravel pull-off and stepping over the guard rail. Contact the town for fees and rules. The state health department has a mercury advisory for largemouth bass from the lake. You need a Massachusetts freshwater fishing license, and small lead sinkers and lead jigs are banned in fresh water.