Book Your Fishing Charter in Goshen, MA

Found in the eastern foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, you’ll find the western Massachusetts town of Goshen in Hampshire County. Known as ‘G-Town,’ it boasts the unique opportunity for anglers who want to fish in the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes located in its north, just by the D.A.R. State Forest. 

Goshen also exudes a natural, rich and unique beauty against its rural surroundings with miles of rolling hills, open fields, and dense forest. Despite its rustic vibe, it doesn’t take away from how it is a great place to visit whichever season, adding to the helpful fact of how it’s very accessible interstate. Goshen is also a fantastic place for those interested in history and art, as it has museums and exhibits. Freshwater anglers planning their next getaway can consider Goshen as it offers year-round fishing in its local lakes, rivers, brooks, and ponds riddled throughout areas that have scenic forests or mountainous backdrops.

Goshen Fishing: Highland Lake Fishing Among Mountains and Forests

Goshen is a great accessible spot for freshwater anglers who want to go either onshore or offshore fishing.

When you come to Goshen to fish, you probably plan on trying out the Upper and Lower Highland Lakes. Here’s what you need to know: The Upper Highland Lake encompasses 53 acres, rocky and rubbly bottom. In its waters, you can find and catch species like largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, spotted bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, skamania trout, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white sucker, and golden shiner. Trout are stocked every spring, and it has a better population of smallmouth than its lower counterpart. You will find the best action and results in surf casting from its beach area, only reserved for campers. If you want to use a boat, you can launch canoes and car-top boats at the paved boat ramp found on the south end off Moore Hill Road. There is also access by the Upper Highland Lake Refurbished Dam. Gas-powered watercraft are not allowed in the lake, but electric motors are permissible. 

The Lower Highland Lake encompasses 88 acres and has a similar rocky and rubbly bottom. Its waters host the same species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, spotted bass, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white sucker, golden shiner, brown trout, skamania trout, bluegill, and brown bullhead. The lower lake is your best bet if you’re targeting larger and more largemouth bass and yellow perch. Both lakes offer great ice fishing opportunities, but the lower lake provides better action. You can also launch light trailer boats, canoes, and car-top boats at its northern tip’s a paved access boat ramp. It’s important to note that both lakes might require an entrance fee, especially in the summer. 

If you want to try out different areas and catch other species, you can head to West Branch Mill River, which hosts the same species the lakes have and gives you the chance to spot alewife. The river has also been stocked with tagged trout. Further down south is Hammond Pond, where similar species abound and have chain pickerel, catfish, and sunfish. Because of the vegetation along the shoreline, it's best to travel to that pond by boat.

Avid trout anglers can enjoy the scenery of the state forest while fishing in Rogers Brook, which has rainbow, brook, and brown varieties.

Nature and the Arts in Goshen

1. Visit the Three Sisters Sanctuary

Located on Cape Street in the north of Goshen is the Three Sisters Sanctuary; it is a mix of gardens, exhibits, and a performance space that merges art and nature. This unique site showcases sculptures, mosaics, and a vast perennial garden. It also has an amphitheater as well as accommodation and event spaces.

2. More Lakeside Fun in the D.A.R. State Forest

The publicly owned, century-old, hardwood conifer forest in the north of Goshen offers numerous recreational features and activities such as camping, swimming, boating at and by the lakes, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding through its mixed trails. You can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling during the winter.