The ten Largest Lakes in Connecticut

Stretching solely 110 miles east to west and 70 miles north to south, Connecticut will not be America’s largest state. However what it lacks in dimension, it makes up for in magnificence. Connecticut is house to over 3,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, and their glistening magnificence provides to the state’s attract.

The Nutmeg State is irresistible attributable to its white picket fences, lush forests, protected bridges, and roaring waterfalls. Nonetheless, the lakes flip it into an out of doors fanatic’s dream vacation vacation spot, particularly in the course of the summer time months. As a result of Connecticut is understood for the prolonged Connecticut River (it’s the longest in New England) that carves by its center, it’s no shock that lakes and different waterways are among the many state’s most beloved sights.

Connecticut’s lakes are stunning within the eyes, however additionally they present a terrific solution to have enjoyable within the water with out coping with the crowds, in contrast to on oceanfront seashores. Additionally, you will get a style of freshwater freed from salt and seaweed. Under, we are going to discover the ten largest lakes in Connecticut.

The ten Largest Lakes in Connecticut

    10. Highland Lake

Scenic Highland Lake is within the historic city of Winchester, in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The lake is lengthy but slender, spanning three miles north to south however solely half a mile broad at its widest level. This 445-acre (1.80km²) lake, hidden among the many Berkshire Mountains, ought to be on everybody’s must-see record. The beautiful magnificence has been dubbed a “resort lake” attributable to its shoreline being bordered by luxurious residences.

The lake has three bays: the First, Second, and Third. Burr Pond State Park, situated within the latter, presents campers numerous climbing paths by the luxurious woods. The state-run boat launch is in First Bay, and Second Bay is understood for its glorious fishing, with giant bass, smallmouth bass, trout, perch, and salmon in abundance. 

    9. Gardner Lake

Gardner Lake is situated in three Connecticut state parks, all of that are just a few miles aside if you wish to go to a couple of. The lake is 528 acres in dimension, surrounded by the cities of Salem, Montville, and Bozrah in Connecticut’s southeast. Gardner Lake State Park in Salem, Connecticut, sits on the lake’s southern finish. It boasts a dock for fishing, a ship launch, and a seashore with an space for swimming. The marginally bigger Hopemead State Park, nestled within the cities of Bozrah and Montville, is to the northeast of Gardner Lake.

Lastly, Minnie Island State Park is just accessible by boat, situated inside Gardner Lake. This park is Connecticut’s smallest state park, measuring lower than one acre in space. Minnie Island State Park is typically empty as a result of there are not any amenities. However its relative privateness attracts guests excited about picnics or fishing on the island.

    8. Washining Lake

Washining Lake is situated in Salisbury and is a pure lake within the River Drainage Basin, round 5 miles away from each the Massachusetts and New York borders. Though a lot of the shore is wetlands, there are nonetheless just a few non-public properties. The 569-acre (2.30km²) lake has a twin referred to as Lake Washinee. The lakes are twins not due to their dimension or form however as a result of they had been named after two Machain daughters by a Machain Chief.

Lake Washining, which interprets to “Laughing Water,” is the bigger and rounder of the dual lakes and is called the East Twin. The Stone Tower, situated on the island in Lake Washining, was constructed within the early 1900s as a part of Camp Isola Bella. With a marina and a variety of homes on its shoreline, Lake Washining is the extra full of life of the dual lakes.

    7. Lake Waramaug

Lake Waramaug is serenely set in one in all Connecticut’s high state parks, Lake Waramaug State Park. This pure lake has a complete floor space of 656 acres (2.655 km2), named after Chief Waramaug of the Potatuck Native American tribe. A wide range of fish, birds and woodland animals name Lake Waramaug house. Bass, brown trout, freshwater crayfish, mussels, snapping turtles, and pike thrive within the water. Songbirds abound within the spring and summer time, together with finches, cardinals, robins, blue jays, and sparrows.

Outside fanatics is not going to wish to go away, as this huge, scenic lake is breathtakingly stunning. Nonetheless unsure? Go to within the fall to see the good colours of the timber mirrored on the quiet water’s floor. No surprise it was featured within the e book “1000 Locations to See Earlier than You Die,” the gorgeous surroundings will take your breath away.

    5. Bantam Lake

The most important pure lake in Connecticut, Bantam Lake, is a good place to spend high quality time with your loved ones. It’s situated on the western facet of Connecticut, between the cities of Morris and Litchfield, and has two seashores, Morris City Seashore in Morris and Sandy Seashore in Litchfield, the place everybody will take pleasure in frolicking on the seashore.

Each season is gorgeous at Bantam Lake. There’s no scarcity of issues to do on this well-liked 947-acre (3.83 km²) lake, whether or not you wish to trek alongside its shores within the spring, float on its refreshing waves in the summertime, benefit from the fall foliage from a canoe, or skate on the thick ice within the winter. The lake has greater than 20 bass tournaments annually, and alternatives for northern pike, black crappie, chain pickerel, and bluegill fishing. 

           6. Lake Zoar 

The Stevenson Dam created Lake Zoar, an unlimited physique of water that borders the cities of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury. Every has a ship launch, making it easy to set sail for a day of fishing, swimming, water snowboarding, or windsurfing on this thrilling reservoir. This 909-acre (3.679 km²) lake sits close to the Housatonic River in Connecticut, loaded with completely different fish, together with bass, catfish, trout, and perch, which implies that anglers is not going to be dissatisfied with their catch. Others who wish to admire the gorgeous water views from afar would possibly benefit from the quite a few climbing trails working alongside the shore.

          4. West Thompson Lake

The West Thompson Dam and Lake is an unlimited location that provides a wide range of actions equivalent to climbing, tenting, boating, and disc golf. Chances are you’ll discover this 1,250-acre (5.06km2) lake in Connecticut’s northeast nook. As well as, it was constructed as a part of the Quinebaug River damming venture and is now a preferred leisure space. The West Thompson Lake Campground is situated on the east facet of the lake and supplies vacationers with a spot to sleep and hike. The six-kilometer (4-mile) Shoreline Path loops across the lake and is one in all three major path programs. Fishing, kayaking, and boating are well-liked actions on the lake, accessible by public boat ramps.

    3. Lake Lillinonah

Coming in on the third spot, the 1,900-acre (7.69 km²) Lake Lillinonah is nestled in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties in Connecticut’s northeast. As a consequence of its huge dimension, it hardly ever sees giant crowds alongside the seashore. The gorgeous and clear waters of Lake Lillinonah are irresistible to swimmers, anglers, and kayakers alike. The 72-kilometer (44.5 miles) shoreline of Lake Lillinonah is a powerful wooded spot, making it a really peaceable lake. The lake has its personal bald eagle statement space, emphasizing Lake Lillinonah’s most vital function: its wildlife. The close by George C. Waldo State Park is good for searching and horse driving, whereas the Higher Paugussett State Forest presents intensive climbing and mountain bike paths, in addition to fishing and boating alternatives.

    2. Candlewood Lake

With a complete floor space of 5,420 acres (21.93 km²), Candlewood Lake is Connecticut’s second-largest man-made reservoir, mendacity in Fairfield and Litchfield counties. 5 cities encompass this stunning lake, making it a preferred summer time getaway for locals. Due to its excellent leisure alternatives, it’s probably essentially the most well-known lake within the state.

Swimming, boating, fishing, and boarding are examples of those actions. Many individuals come to the lake to scuba dive and see the 18th-century underwater buildings and pathways. Some folks additionally come to leap off the 7.6-meter-high Hen Rock into the ocean. Candlewood Lake is understood for its smallmouth bass, but it surely additionally has walleye, trout, crappie, perch, sunfish, catfish, chain pickerel, and largemouth bass.

    1. Hop Brook Lake

The cities of Middlebury, Waterbury, and Naugatuck all border Hop Brook Lake, which sports activities a complete floor space of 10,500 acres (42.48 km²). In summer time, it bustles with folks absorbing the solar and cooling off with a pleasing dip within the crystal clear water. The lake’s recreation space features a sandy seashore that each kids and adults take pleasure in. It additionally makes water sports activities like crusing, kayaking, fishing, and canoeing very accessible. The lake, stuffed with brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout, is a well-liked fishing spot. Forests encompass Hop Brook Lake, which helps a various array of species. You would possibly see a white-tailed deer or a beaver among the many ash, maple, pine, and oak timber if you happen to go climbing.