New England Paddler
Ashmere Lake
Ashmere Lake
Last Updated: 6/2024
Ashmere Island owned by Berkshire Natural Resources Council and is open for passive recreation. The mooring of motor boats, camping, and fires are not allowed.
Berkshire Natural Resource Council
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Ashmere Lake
STATISTICS
Skill Level: Flat water
Estimated Time: 3 hour
Perimeter: 8.9 miles
USGS Map: Pittsfield East, MA
Physical Features:
- Area: 217 acres
- South Basin Max depth: 23 feet
- North Basin Max depth: 12 feet
- Average Depth: 8 feet
- Transparency: 9 feet
- Terrain Type: Summer Homes, Summer Camps, Woodlands, Wetlands
Fish Population
- Last survey: 1979
- 9 species: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, black crappie, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, white sucker and golden shiner.
National Inventory of Dams
Ashmere Lake Dam
NID ID: MA00223
Owner: DCR - Department of Conservation & Recreation
Owner Type: State
Purpose: Fish and Wildlife Pond, Recreation
NID Height: 34 feet
NID Storage: 4,730 Acre-feet
Year Complete: 1875
Dam Type: Earth
Last Inspected: 06/15/2016
Emergency Action Plan Prepared: YES
Last Emergency Action Plan Revision: 05/21/2018
Owner: DCR - Department of Conservation & Recreation
Owner Type: State
Purpose: Fish and Wildlife Pond, Recreation
NID Height: 34 feet
NID Storage: 4,730 Acre-feet
Year Complete: 1875
Dam Type: Earth
Last Inspected: 06/15/2016
Emergency Action Plan Prepared: YES
Last Emergency Action Plan Revision: 05/21/2018
A view of the spillway for the earthen dam.
Paved Boat Launch
Ashmere Lake Boat Ramp
Position: 42°26.10'N 73°05.05'W
Boat Launch:
Position: 42°26.10'N 73°05.05'W
Boat Launch:
Paved narrow boat launch for all types of boats.
Nearest Launch Address:
Nearest Launch Address:
121 Smith Road, Hinsdale, MA
- Travel 0.4 miles down this single lane dirt road to the boat ramp with parking for at least 12 cars.
Southwest Side
Continue to follow the shoreline southwest. This area, including the next two peninsulas, is filled with homes with docks, swim rafts, and boats.
As you approach the southwest, the shoreline gets wilder with no structures. Follow the shoreline southwest and finish at the southern Put-In Take-Out.
North Basin
The northern half of Ashmere Lake is more urban than most paddlers may enjoy. Despite this profile, observing summer homes can be fun. There are still some areas that are more secluded including Ashmere island owned by Berkshire Natural Resource Counci lto explorer and a cove in the southwest that has wetlands.
West Side
After passing through the Route 143 culvert, turn right, west, and follow the coastline north. After passing many summer homes, turn west into a pleasant cove filled with dozens of homes. There are many small beaches, boat docks, and swim rafts.
Exit the cove and turn north following more homes and pass between an island and the west shore. You can land on Ashmere Island at many locations. I particularly like the northern half.
Description
South Basin
The south half of Ashmere Lake is a split between woodlands and summer homes. It may be possible to take advantage of exploring trails on the southern most area. On a summer weekday you may have all this area to yourself.
Put-in and the Dam
From the South Put-In turn right and follow the dam, which is over 1500 feet long. At the end of this dam is the spillway. The spillway is safe to approach and you can view the other side where water leaves the lake. This portion of the lake has no buildings and makes observation of wildlife a great opportunity.
South Side
Follow the around the south peninsula which is part of Ashmere Lake State Park. Follow around and into the southwest cove. This too has no habitation and has an air of wilderness.
Travel north along the west shore to a small island. North of this is Camp Ashmere, a well-known summer camp with its own beach.
East Side and Alternate Put-in
Follow the shore to the north most end passing an American Flag flying on a rock in the summertime.
Turn east and follow the shore along Route 143. Eventually you will come to a culvert that passes to the north half of the lake, which can be used, only by small vessels like canoes and kayaks. Just east of this culvert is the alternate Put-In described above.
Culvert Passage Under Route 143
Ashmere Lake Alternate Car Top Launch
Position: 42°26.70'N 73°05.02'W
Boat Launch:
Park roadside, carry your boat down grassy area to the water.
Nearest Address:
Route 143, 670 Peru Road, Hinsdale, MA
- Launch on the right side of the road where a culvert allows passage by boat under the road. Both the North and South basins are visible.
Continue north and enter another cove and follow the shore around. This cove had summer homes but half of the shore is wooded even along George Schnopp Road. As you exit turn northeast to a very quiet shallow cove filled with weeds. This is a good place to catch pike and pickerel.
East Side
Head south and pass by Camp Taconic. This is a very active area with many middle school and high school age campers. They have a large beach area with sailboats as well as paddleboats.
Pass between the island and the camp turning west as the shore opens to the only truly wooded area of the north half of Ashmere Lake. Follow this shoreline as it meanders along. At the southern and western most end wetland prevail. Follow the shore north again along a peninsula filled with trees. At the point you will find a small but very old summer home with the same charm of yesteryear. Finally, turn south following the shore to the culvert under Route 143.
Fishing
Winter draw downs conducted to limit the amount of aquatic vegetation have apparently caused fish kills at this lake in the past. As a result, bass abundance was found to be reduced substantially at the time the last survey was conducted. Growth rates were high, however, and unless winter kills have continued, both basins should now offer some big bass along with fair to good fishing action. Those in search of smallmouth will do best in the deeper southern basin, while largemouth fanciers will have better luck in the shallow, heavily weeded northern basin. Yellow perch are common in both basins and offer good winter jigging action, but their growth rates are low and average size is on the small side. (1993)
