CTFishTalk.com: Largemouth/Smallmouth lake recommendations - Connecticut Bass Fishing ( CT Bass Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

For our next trip, we'd like to fish a lake (we've had our fill of river adventures for a bit) around central CT where we can enjoy some good largemouth and smallmouth fishing in one body of water.

I live in Glastonbury and Bill lives in Portland and I'm truthfully not interested in driving more than an hour to get to a fishing spot.

We hit Bashan Lake earlier this year and I did great with largemouths, and though there are smallmouth there, I want to say I remember reading somewhere that the smallmouth action isn't that great there.

Some ideas coming to mind are Rainbow Reservoir and or Coventry Lake. I'd prefer a clearer, less-weedy body of water, but I'll try anywhere that comes with a good recommendation.

I fished Gardner Lake in Salem years ago with no luck. I also think I remember reading that Gardner is a tough place to fish.

To be even more honest, we're looking for an easy day on the water. No fighting the current, fighting prop-eating rocks, no long journeys/boat rides, etc. We just want to fish. And we'd prefer to be at a place where we catch both largemouth and smallies.

Eventually we'll get to Bantam Lake and go for our favorite three species (LMB, SMB and NP) but an almost two hour drive each way is not what we're into at the moment.

Mashapaug sounds interesting, if not close? Any thoughts?

Thanks as always,

-Eric

anointed130 · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 4:31 pm Post subject:

I think Lower Bolton has those species your looking for.
_________________
"Come after Me, and i will make you to become fishers of men"

Can i be a fisher of fish too?

~Tony~

AVec80X · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 199 Location: East of the River

Mashapaug is great! I live in Portland and it's an hour drive going Rt 17 to Rt 2 to 84, not too bad. Shoot for a weekday if you go! The place is mobbed with boaters, swimmers, etc. on the weekend and there is a $15 non-resident admission fee at the gate.
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imsafanct · Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Posts: 118

Tony,

I assume lower or middle Bolton Lake is where we'd want to be? The upper portion looks small and shallow.

-Eric

anointed130 · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 9:49 am Post subject:

Yup Lower Bolton.

Also Lake Shnipsit( think thats how you spell that)

They definitely have nice smallies in there and Largemouth but its mostly shore fishing on two ends of the lake. They say some watercrafts can go on there thats kept on the lake, I have only been a handful of times and never saw any kayaks or canoes there at all.
_________________
"Come after Me, and i will make you to become fishers of men"

Can i be a fisher of fish too?

~Tony~