Best fishing lakes in Connecticut: 7 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Candlewood Lake

Candlewood Lake spreads over some 5,420 acres. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and trout. It goes down to about 90 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Candlewood Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Barkhamsted Reservoir

Barkhamsted Reservoir covers 2,690 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of West Hartford (about 15 miles). Saville Dam holds it on the Farmington River. Like most lakes its size in Connecticut, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Barkhamsted Reservoir, impounded by Saville Dam on the East Branch of the Farmington River, is a Metropolitan District Commission water supply.

Barkhamsted Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Bantam Lake

Bantam Lake is a natural lake of 950 acres. You will find it near Litchfield. The usual Connecticut mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. It goes down to about 25 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Bantam Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Nepaug Reservoir

Nepaug Reservoir spreads over about 760 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Bristol (about 8 miles). The usual Connecticut mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Nepaug Reservoir, on the Nepaug River, is a Metropolitan District Commission water-supply impoundment.

Nepaug Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Gaillard

At about 920 acres, Lake Gaillard is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 6 miles northwest of Hamden. The usual Connecticut mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look.

Lake Gaillard today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Saugatuck Reservoir

At some 830 acres, Saugatuck Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it about 2.6 miles east of Easton. Samuel P. Senior Dam holds it on the Saugatuck River. Like most lakes its size in Connecticut, it should hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. At about 110 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs worth a first look. Saugatuck Reservoir, formed by the Samuel P. Senior Dam on the Saugatuck River, is an Aquarion Water Company drinking-water supply.

Saugatuck Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Pachaug Pond

Pachaug Pond covers about 730 acres. The lake is near Jewett City. The usual Connecticut mix applies: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs: good places to start.

Pachaug Pond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Which lake for which fish

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: Candlewood Lake, Barkhamsted Reservoir, Bantam Lake and Nepaug Reservoir
• Trout: Candlewood Lake
• Crappie: Barkhamsted Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Nepaug Reservoir and Lake Gaillard
• Catfish: Barkhamsted Reservoir, Bantam Lake, Nepaug Reservoir and Lake Gaillard

When to go

• Spring: largemouth bass are usually fair. Warming up. They move toward shallow flats on sunny afternoons.
• Summer: largemouth bass are usually at their best. Active early and late. Head to shade, docks and grass in midday.
• Fall: largemouth bass are usually fair. Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
• Winter: largemouth bass are usually slow. Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

Before you go

A Connecticut fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.