Stockbridge Bowl Homes for Sale | Lakefront Living Real Estate

Stockbridge Bowl

Town(s): Stockbridge MA
County: Berkshire
Local Name: Lake Mahkeenac

Size: 372 acres
Average Depth: 27 feet
Maximum Depth: 48 feet

Boating Allowed: Kayaks, Canoes, Sail Boats, Electric Motor Boats, Power Boats, State & Local Rules & Regulations Apply, Other Restrictions, See Comments
Boating Comments: White buoys mark the swimming areas where boat speed is limited. No jet-ski's allowed.
Swimming: Swimming Allowed, No Restrictions

Click to visit this lake's association site!

Stockbridge Bowl is owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is considered a Great Pond. The State owns the lake and the SBA works closely with the Town to solve problems. The Town of Stockbridge owns approximately 11,750 feet of shore line around Stockbridge Bowl: about 11,000 at Gould Meadows, about 450 feet at the Town Beach, and 300 feet at the boat ramp. The original name of Stockbridge Bowl was Lake Mahkeenac. It was given this name by the Mahekanu Indians, a tribe of the Mohicans. Mahkeenac means “home of the Mahekanus.” For a brief period of time it was called Mountain Mirror, and there is a map at the Stockbridge Library indicating that name. Stockbridge Bowl comprises 372 acres of water. From its north shore to the outlet, it is about 1 ¾ miles long, about ¾ miles wide, and has approximately 6 miles of shoreline. At its deepest point, it is about 50 feet deep. There are more than 450 cottages around the lake. Many are on the lake while others are tucked into the hills behind the east and south sides of the lake. There are five lake organizations. On the east shore line there are Mahkeenac Shores (25 cottages), then north of that is the Terrace (20 cottages), and the Heights, which is above the lake and has 35 cottages. There is a causeway on the east shore. On the other side of the causeway road is Lilly Brook Pond, which was the holding pond for the lake. Years ago, one could paddle a canoe under the causeway and into the pond, but, unfortunately, it is now impassible due to the build up of silt, beaver dams and weeds. Left of the causeway is Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, founded in l926. Next to the Camp is Bullard Woods with a wonderful hiking trail that starts at Hawthorne Road and wends its way to the Lake’s shoreline. Adjacent too the Woods is the Tanglewood Beach. On the west shore is a public boat ramp. The ramp was installed by the County Commissioners in the 1950’s. Swimming at the ramp area is forbidden. The canoe part of the Josh Billings race is launched from here. The Mahkeenac Boating Club is just south of the boat ramp. Toward the south end of the Lake there is a piece of land jutting out into the lake. This is known simply as The Island. It is about two acres of land that is owned by the Stockbridge Bowl Association. Near Town Beach, there is a cluster of cottages called Beachwood, one of the five Lake groups. There are about 150 cottages in the Beachwood compound, some are along the lake and many others are hidden in the woods behind the lake. The fifth Lake group is Lake Drive, the area that is in the outlet. On August 30, 1946 The Stockbridge Bowl Association was formed with the following objective: “…to protect the natural beauty of the Stockbridge Bowl… and to set the standards that may aid the general cause of conservation. The Stockbridge Bowl Association has one main goal which is to preserve and protect by preventing further deterioration the magnificent body of water known as the Stockbridge Bowl.

Water Quality: No Known Issues, Town/State Monitoring
Vegetation Growth: Moderate
Non-native Species: Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum), Fanwort (Cabomba Caroliniana)

Fishing Comments: The state stocks the lake with Rainbow and Brown Trout every year.
Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Carp, Yellow Perch, Yellow Bullhead, Sunfish, Bluegill, Golden Shiner, White Sucker

Boat Access: Access for Power and Non-power Boats
Ramp Comments: A wide concrete ramp is available on the north shore and is suitable for most trailer boats.
Parking Spaces: 21-40

Directions: Mass Pike to Route 90 (exit 2) in Lee, Route 20N to left on Route 183, follow signs for Tanglewood.
Shoreline Development: 75-100%

Definitions:	Kettle Pond Aquatic Vegetation

Links:	DEP Mass Wildlife Environmental Police DCR MassGIS Massachusetts Boating Laws Massachusetts Fishing Regulations

Stockbridge Bowl

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