Lake · Salem, New London, Connecticut
Gardner Lake
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.
- Available atmospheric evidence is favorable for provisional Estimated fishing suitability; the public rating is capped by the accepted Estimated evidence path and confidence policy.
Current Readings
Live monitoring not available.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
63°F
Feels like
63°F
Wind
4 mph NW
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.02 in
Last 48 hours
0.05 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 AM
Clear
Temp 66°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 75°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 22%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 66°F
Chance 18%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 63°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Rain
High 76°F / Low 61°F
Chance 32%
Precip 0.10 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 70°F / Low 55°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 19 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 21 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 58°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 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
Eastern/southern Connecticut Bass Management Lake with public DEEP launch and walleye. Live lake water temperature is not assigned.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CT DEEP Bass Management Lake; largemouth bass are a primary target.
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
CT DEEP Bass Management Lake; smallmouth bass are a primary target.
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Walleye are relevant to Gardner Lake management.
Source: Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
Natural eastern Connecticut lake of about 529 acres with known morphology (max about 36 ft) supporting bass and walleye habitat.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
CT DEEP maintains a public trailered launch. Catalog coordinates are a lake-center reference, not a verified launch pin.
Stocking information
Confirm current CT DEEP stockings, including walleye where listed, on official CT DEEP schedules.
- Stocked
Walleye
Stocked · Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Official sources
Bass Management Lake length and creel specials apply. Verify official CT DEEP lake and pond regulations before fishing.
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
Description
Eastern Connecticut Bass Management Lake of about 529 acres with walleye. CT DEEP bathymetry labels a 36 ft contour. CT DEEP trailered launch. USGS lake site 01127345 has no current continuous series and is not assigned as lake monitoring. Ordinary inland Lake MODEL-2 Estimated coverage applies. Coordinates are a public lake-center reference point, not a verified launch pin.
