Lake Buel
Fly fishing in Massachusetts · Beginner · Best seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Pickerel, Panfish
About This Water
Berkshire County lake with bass and panfish. Monterey area.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Berkshires. As your guide, I’m pleased to walk you through Lake Buel, a 190-acre gem tucked into the towns of Monterey and New Marlborough, Massachusetts. While many anglers head to the nearby Housatonic River for trout, Lake Buel remains a premier "warm-water" destination for fly fishers looking for explosive topwater action and aggressive predators.
🎣 Location Overview
Lake Buel is a classic New England glacial lake. It is characterized by its relatively clear water, lush aquatic vegetation, and a diverse shoreline ranging from steep drop-offs to shallow, lily-pad-choked bays.
What makes Buel special for the fly fisher is the transparency and the structure. Unlike some murky lowland ponds, Buel offers enough clarity to sight-fish the shallows in the spring. It has a significant "shelf" around much of the perimeter where the water drops from 3-5 feet down to 15-20 feet. This edge is a highway for predators. While it is a popular recreational lake, its size keeps it manageable for a drift boat, kayak, or float tube.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Largemouth Bass
The king of Lake Buel. These fish are ambush predators here. During the day, they tuck deep into the milfoil and pondweed. They feed primarily on golden shiners, sunfish, and crayfish. In the evening, they move to the edge of the lily pads to hunt.
Chain Pickerel
Often called "Lord of the Weeds," the pickerel in Buel are numerous and aggressive. They hold in the shallowest, thickest vegetation. They are suckers for anything flashy and move with lightning speed.
Panfish (Bluegill & Pumpkinseed)
Buel has an incredible population of "slabs"—large sunfish. They are found near docks and submerged timber. They provide non-stop action on light 3-weight rods and are the primary forage for the larger bass.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Spring (Late April – June): This is the prime window. As the water hits 55°F, bass move into the shallows to spawn. Pre-spawn (May) is when you’ll find the most aggressive fish hitting large streamers.
- Summer (July – August): Focus on the "Low Light" windows. Be on the water at dawn or 2 hours before sunset. During the heat of the day, fish move to the deeper weed edges (12–15 feet).
- Fall (September – October): As the weeds begin to die back, bass go on a feeding binge. This is the best time for "searching" with large streamers as fish roam more freely to bulk up for winter.
Pro Tip: Avoid mid-day on weekends in July and August; recreational boat traffic can make fly casting difficult due to wakes.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
For Largemouth Bass
- Topwater: BoogleBugs or Umpqua Feather Merchants’ Bass Rats. Work these along the edges of lily pads with a "pop-and-pause" cadence.
- Sub-surface: Game Changers (white/chartreuse) or Dahlberg Divers. If the fish are deep, use a sink-tip line and a Woolly Bugger (Size 2-4) in olive or black to mimic crayfish.
For Chain Pickerel
- Flies: Clouser Minnows or Zonkers with plenty of flash (Krystal Flash).
- Technique: Use a fast, erratic strip. Pickerel are triggered by speed and shine.
For Panfish
- Flies: Foam Spiders, Betts’ Foam Poppers, or a Size 12 Prince Nymph dropped 18 inches below a small dry fly.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Work the "Shelf": The western shore has some of the most dramatic depth changes. Position your boat over the deep water and cast into the shallows, stripping your fly back over the drop-off. Bass often sit right on that transition line waiting for baitfish to swim over the edge.
- The Dock Factor: Lake Buel has many private docks. These provide the best shade and overhead cover. A precise cast that puts a popper right against a dock piling will often result in an immediate strike.
- The "Pickerel Guard": If you are targeting bass but keep getting "bit off" by pickerel, use a 15-20lb fluorocarbon shock tippet or a very fine wire leader. Pickerel teeth are like razor blades.
- Stealth Matters: Because the water is clear, try to use the wind to drift quietly. Heavy electric trolling motors can spook fish in the 3-foot flats.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: There is a Public Access Board boat ramp located on the northern end of the lake (off Route 57/Lake Buel Rd). It is suitable for trailers, but parking is somewhat limited, so arrive early.
- Regulations: A valid Massachusetts Fishing License is required. You can purchase one online via the MassFishHunt website.
- Invasive Species: Clean, drain, and dry your boat/float tube. Lake Buel has struggled with Eurasian Watermilfoil, and it is vital not to transport it to other Berkshire waters.
- Wading: Wading is very limited due to the private property surrounding most of the lake and the silty/weedy bottom. This is primarily a boat, kayak, or belly-boat fishery.
Enjoy the serenity of the Berkshires—Lake Buel is one of the most productive warm-water fly fishing spots in Western Mass if you know how to work the weeds!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids Chironomidae | midge | April, May, September | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-24, Chan's Chironomid Pupa #16-20 |
| Giant Michigan Mayfly Hexagenia limbata | mayfly | June, July | Dusk/Night | #6-10 | Hexagenia Spinner #6-8, Hex Nymph #8-10, Crippled Hex #8 |
| Damselfly Enallagma/Ischnura | terrestrial | June, July, August | Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #12-14, Adult Damsel #12-14 |
| Long-horned Caddis Oecetis | caddis | July, August | Evening | #12-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) #14-16, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | July, August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Trico Emerger #22-24 |
| White Mayfly Ephoron leukon | mayfly | August | Evening/Dusk | #12-14 | White Wulff #12-14, Ephoron Spinner #12-14 |
| Angler's Curse Caenis | mayfly | June, July | Dawn/Dusk | #22-26 | Caenis Spinner #24-26 |
| Flying Ants Formicidae | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #14-20 | Black Foam Ant #16-18, Flying Ant #14-18 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | terrestrial | May, September, October | All Day | #14-18 | Water Boatman #14-16, Backswimmer #12-14 |