Lake Onota Explained

Onota Lake
Location:Berkshire County, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coords:42.4767°N -73.2661°W
Type:Reservoir
Outflow:Onota Brook,
Housatonic River
Catchment:6345acres
Basin Countries:United States
Area:617acres
Depth:21feet[1]
Max-Depth:72feet
Elevation:1076feet
Dam Name:Onota Lake Dam
Cities:Pittsfield
Pushpin Map:Massachusetts#USA
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of Onota Lake in Massachusetts, USA.

Onota Lake is located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It is 617acres in area, located entirely in the City of Pittsfield and is owned by it. It is divided into north and south basins due to the old roadway that marked to north end with minimal water exchange between them and empties via Onota Brook which flows southeast into the West Branch of the Housatonic River in Pittsfield. The "cottagers" of the late 19th century and early 20th century built large summer mansions along its shores.

Onota Lake is popular for fishing, swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, and sailing.[2] It is home to the famous Pittsfield event "Live on the Lake", a summer concert series consisting of local bands. Camp Winadu is located along its shores. The Williams Ephs men's and women's crews row on the lake.[3]

Fish Populations!Northern Pike!Largemouth Bass!Smallmouth Bass!Brown Trout!Bull Shark
Rainbow Trout(Stocked twice annually)Chain PickerelYellow PerchWhite Perch
BluegillPumpkinseedBlack CrappieRock Bass
Brown BullheadWhite SuckerCarpGolden Shiner
Common ShinerRainbow SmeltAlso a remote possibility of leftover Salmon, which was annually stocked until 2014.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Onota Lake, Pittsfield . MassWildlife . 11 November 2019.
  2. http://www.pittsfield-ma.org/subpage.asp?ID=352 Creative Pittsfield
  3. Web site: Directions to Athletic Facilities . Williams.PrestoSports.com . 29 April 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120529133702/http://williams.prestosports.com/Directions_Athletic_Facilities . 29 May 2012 . dead .