Lake · Salem, New London, Connecticut
Gardner Lake
Location Snapshot
Gardner Lake is an eastern Connecticut natural lake with coves, rocky and vegetated shoreline, and a mixed warmwater fishery. Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and walleye are the principal supported targets.
Current Lake Rating
Point-in-time lake rating — separate from the trip recommendation below.
Fair
This condition rating is estimated because current on-water monitoring is not available.
Estimated Conditions
Estimated from available current readings, weather, seasonal patterns, destination characteristics, and historical conditions. Some important on-water measurements may be unavailable.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Consider
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Recommendation confidence: Low
Why
- Current water-level and water-temperature observations are not available.
- StrikeTracks is showing a provisional Estimated Conditions rating from accepted secondary evidence.
Current Readings
Live monitoring not available.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Mostly clear
Temperature
42°F
Feels like
35°F
Wind
8 mph N
Wind gust
16 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 6 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Tue 10 PM
Overcast
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Wed 2 AM
Overcast
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 11 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 62°F / Low 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 31 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 51°F / Low 42°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 33 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 62°F / Low 42°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 32 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 57°F / Low 37°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Gardner Lake.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
At Gardner Lake in Salem, Connecticut, stocked walleye are a common fish. Established largemouth bass and established smallmouth bass are the primary fish. It covers 529 acres.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Stocking information
Walleye are stocked in Gardner Lake.
- Stocked
Walleye
Stocked · Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Official sources
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Salem, New London, Connecticut
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Town
Salem
County
New London
Management Category
Warmwater lake
Regulation Scope
Gardner Lake.
Regulation Summary
Bass Management Lake 16-inch minimum / 2 bass. Statewide lake trout catch-and-release March 1 to the 2nd Saturday in April. Confirm current seasons and limits on the official CT DEEP lake and pond regulations.
Surface Area
529 acres
Maximum Depth
36 ft
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available