Ice Fishing Spots and Derbys This Winter

With winter really upon us and temperatures hitting negatives you might be wondering where a great spot for ice fishing might be. Throughout Berkshire county there are many different bodies of water to choose from.

Be sure to have your fishing license for those 15 years or older that you can purchase online through MassFishHunt.

Also make sure the ice is thick enough before heading out as well as let someone know where you are going. Have an ice fishing destination you want included on our list–email info@iberskhires.com.

Stockbridge Bowl
Stockbridge

The lake is a popular scenic spot. Fishermen are known to catch trout, bass, and sunfish here. This is the perfect place to set up your tent or chair and cut a hole for your fish. 

Laurel Lake
Lee 

Laurel Lake is not only a great view but bass are a popular catch. There's a public paved ramp and large parking lot located on the southern tip of the lake.

Pontoosuc Lake
Pittsfield

This spot is best known for its yellow perch. It's quite popular for ice fishing so you're sure to also meet some new friends out on the ice.

Be sure to participate in this year's annual ice fishing derby on Saturday, Feb. 21.

More information here.

Onota Lake
Pittsfield

Onota Lake is stocked with hundreds of rainbow trout every year, and with the right bait you're sure to get a catch.

Cheshire Reservoir
Cheshire

This is a great spot to catch bass, pickerel and pike. 

Be sure to participate in the years annual ice fishing derby on Sunday, February 8th.

More information here.

Windsor Lake
North Adams 

Affectionately known as Fish Pond, this small lake is stocked with rainbow trout, some brook and brown trout, and chain pickerel. 

Mercers Pond 
Great Barrington

A great place to set up a tent and make a hole for the perfect fish to hopefully win at this year's fishing derby on Saturday, Feb. 14.

More information here.

Be sure to safely get on the ice and make sure if it's good for you to go out on, MassWildlife has many tips so that you can keep yourself and others safe when ice fishing.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.