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Otis Reservoir, Massachusetts, USA

Also known as:  Otis Lake

She sits by herself on the dock at Otis Reservoir; the coffee steaming in her mug mirrors the mist coming off the water of the lake. Her husband left at dawn in search of his own trophy largemouth bass. It will be hours before her children are awake, swimming and riding jet skis across the waters of Otis Reservoir. For now she has it all to herself,…
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    • All About Otis Reservoir, MA

    Lake Locations: USA - US New England Region - Massachusetts - Western Massachusetts -

    She sits by herself on the dock at Otis Reservoir; the coffee steaming in her mug mirrors the mist coming off the water of the lake. Her husband left at dawn in search of his own trophy largemouth bass. It will be hours before her children are awake, swimming and riding jet skis across the waters of Otis Reservoir. For now she has it all to herself, the day stretching in front of her with promise and potential. The Berkshires are famous for their museums, music and culture: she could go shopping and have lunch in one of the area’s many restaurants or maybe golf or go horseback riding. The possibilities are almost endless, but perhaps the most attractive is spending the day right where she is, soaking up the sun and dangling her feet in the cool, clear water of Otis Reservoir.

    In 1865, the Farmington River Power Company built a dam on the Fall River, a tributary of the Farmington River. The resulting reservoir was created to provide water storage to run the mills along the Farmington River. Otis Reservoir flooded three natural ponds: Rand Pond, Messenger Pond and Cotton Pond. Stretching three miles long, Otis Lake’s 1,085 acres cover parts of Hampden and Berkshire counties in the Western region of Massachusetts.

    Almost immediately after it was formed, cottages started to spring up on the shores of Otis Reservoir. Over the years, most of them have been replaced by larger lakefront homes, which can be second homes, permanent residences, or vacation rentals. There is real estate available for sale both on the lake and also in nearby Otis and Tolland. The Otis Reservoir Property Owners Association (ORPOA) is a great resource of information about the area.

    In addition to the private residences, there are several public marinas and lakeside restaurants. About a quarter of the shoreline of Otis Reservoir is part of Tolland State Forest. The forest includes a campground and swimming area. Hunting in season includes deer, bear and turkeys. The state forest also maintains a boat launch that provides access to Otis Reservoir. There is more than enough water to boat, water ski, jet ski, sail or canoe and kayak.

    The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife regularly stocks Otis Reservoir with trout. Anglers will find abundant populations of catfish, bluegill, and white and yellow perch along with lake trout and largemouth bass. In the winter, water in the reservoir is drawn down about eight feet to improve fish habitat and protect property owners’ docks. The lake fills with snowmelt and water from underground springs and is usually full again by late spring.

    Winter is also a fantastic time to explore the Berkshires. With snowmobiling and both cross-country and downhill skiing popular, it transforms into a snow-covered playground each winter. Just two and half hours from New York City and Boston, the Berkshires draw visitors from all over. The region is a cultural treasure, especially known for its music, dance, art and historical museums. The Hancock Shaker Village is a fantastic day trip from Otis Reservoir. In 1960, the Shakers sold the entire village to a group that established a non-profit organization. In 1961, it opened as a museum. Visitors today wander the grounds and explore the restored buildings and Shaker collection.

    The rolling green hills of the Berkshires and the cool, clean water of Otis Reservoir combine for the perfect western Massachusetts getaway. Add the museums, music and cultural opportunities of the Berkshires and the boating, swimming fishing and waterskiing of Otis Reservoir and it becomes a destination for all seasons.

    Things to Do at Otis Reservoir

    These are some activities in the Otis Reservoir, MA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Forest
    • Museum
    • Playground
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Otis Reservoir?

    Otis Reservoir has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Catfish
    • Lake Trout
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Yellow Perch
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    Find Places to Stay at Otis Reservoir

    If you’re considering a Otis Reservoir lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Otis Reservoir Vacation

    Our interactive Otis Reservoir lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Otis Reservoir Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Otis Reservoir POA

    Surface Area: 1,085 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,417 feet

    Average Depth: 18 feet

    Maximum Depth: 48 feet

    Water Volume: 17,188 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1865

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