I have fished a lot of small ponds and lakes near me and I want to try something new. Does anyone know of any lakes or ponds about 45 minutes away from western mass? Also I would be fishing from a kayak. Thanks.

I was an enthusiastic if amateurish fisherman back in the early '80s and had pretty good luck at Onota Lake, Cheshire Lake (Reservoir), Buckley Dunton Reservoir, and Lake Ashmere. All are a short drive from Pittsfield. I did find largemouth bass in all these lakes.  In addition, I have taken smallmouth bass from Onota and Ashmere.  Bank fishing is available at all but Buckley Dunton.  I just started up again using a kayak and have had pretty good results though nothing over 2 lb. 10 oz. (largemouth) and 3 lb. 12 oz. (smallmouth) so far.  Three smallmouth over 3 lb. from Onota taken in early spring on Craw Fatties at Onota.  Cheshire produced the greatest numbers mostly on Texas-rigged worms and a variety of flukes, both paddle-tail and regular Zoom styles slow rolled.  Hope this helps!