Williamstown Reservoir, Massachusetts: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Williamstown Reservoir in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It lies 997 feet above sea level. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Berkshire County standards. Williamstown is the closest town at 2.4 miles. Albany is the closest city, 30 miles away. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Williamstown Reservoir

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Across Berkshire County, recorded fish include brown trout, pumpkinseed and largemouth bass. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Williamstown Reservoir where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 69°F in July and bottom out at 20°F in January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about mid December. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. It sets the rhythm of the year at Williamstown Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. For a change of water, Mount Williams Reservoir is 0.8 miles distant. Rules at Williamstown Reservoir are worth checking on the day.