Gardner Lake
Gardner Lake is a 529-acre lake in Salem, Montville and Bozrah managed as a Bass Management Lake and a designated Walleye Lake.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Bass Management Lake
Smallmouth Bass
Bass Management Lake
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Crappie
Listed as calico bass
Bluegill
Listed as sunfish
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Gardner Lake Boat LaunchRamp126 Old Colchester Rd, Salem. Concrete slab ramp, 54 paved spaces, ADA accessible, year round.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the state agency or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass / Smallmouth Bass | 16 in | 2 combined |
| Walleye | 18 in | 2 |
| Northern Pike | 26 in | 2 |
| Panfish (crappie, bluegill, yellow perch) | See Connecticut rules book ↗ | See Connecticut rules book ↗ |
| Channel Catfish | See Connecticut rules book ↗ | 6 combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Bob's BaitNearby191 Fitchville Road, Bozrah, CT(860) 885-0292Directions ↗
Local tips
- Bass: 2 per day, 16 in minimum.
- 6 MPH limit from sunset to 8 a.m.
- Hydrilla has been found; clean gear and expect dense weed patches.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Connecticut lakes
Bantam Lake Lake Zoar Pachaug Pond Colebrook River Lake Waramaug Lake East Twin Lake (Washining Lake) Shenipsit Lake Moodus Reservoir All Connecticut lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.