Onota Lake in Pittsfield is one of the most diverse fisheries in the Berkshires. It holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, stocked tiger musky and good panfish, a lot of options in one western Massachusetts lake.
The water
The lake’s two basins give you weedy shallows and coves for largemouth, pike and musky, and deeper rock and points for smallmouth. The variety of habitat is what supports the diverse fishery.
How to fish it
Fish the weeds for largemouth and pike with spinnerbaits and swimbaits, the rock for smallmouth with drop shots and tubes, and throw big baits on wire for a shot at the toothy pike and musky.
Tip If you want a shot at the tiger musky, fish big and cover water, and always use a wire or heavy leader. The same weedy edges that hold pike hold musky, so a big spinnerbait or swimbait worked along them can raise either one.