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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Lake Gaillard

South Central Connecticut County, Connecticut · about 920 acres (1.4 sq mi)

52°F water, calm tomorrow morning.

Water52°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today14 mphN
Best bite3:00 pmto 4:30 pm

About Lake Gaillard

Lake Gaillard spreads over about 920 acres in South Central Connecticut County, Connecticut. Lake Gaillard is a South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority water-supply reservoir in North Branford.

From end to end it runs about 2.3 miles with roughly 7.9 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 180 ft above sea level. North Branford sits right on the water. The closest city is Hamden, about 6 miles away.

Size
About 920 acres (1.4 sq mi)
Shoreline
About 7.9 miles
End to end
About 2.3 miles
Elevation
About 180 ft
Type
Reservoir
County
South Central Connecticut County

The lake from above

1 0.5 mile N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
  • 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Saturday Good

  • 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 8 mph
  • 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 12 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish to expect

Expect the usual Connecticut mix for a lake this size: smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 52°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Fair
    Smallmouth bass

    Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.

  • Fair
    Largemouth bass

    Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.

  • Fair
    Crappie

    Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.

  • Slow
    Bluegill and sunfish

    Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.

  • Fair
    Catfish

    Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Back of a cove

    Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

52°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 43° / —° 14 mph N Chance Light Rain · 64% rain
Saturday 46° / 34° 12 mph NW Mostly Sunny
Sunday 49° / 32° 13 mph NW Mostly Sunny

Sunrise 6:37 am · sunset 4:32 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Lake Gaillard

  • North Branfordon the shore
  • Branfordabout 4.3 mi southwest
  • Branford Centerabout 4.4 mi southwest
  • North Havenabout 4.7 mi northwest
  • Hamdennearest city, about 6 mi northwest

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Questions about Lake Gaillard

What fish are in Lake Gaillard?

Lakes like Lake Gaillard usually hold smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Lake Gaillard?

We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.

How big is Lake Gaillard?

About 920 acres, with about 7.9 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Lake Gaillard?

North Branford is on the shore; Branford is about 4.3 miles southwest.

What is the water temperature at Lake Gaillard today?

The surface was about 52°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Lake Gaillard on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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