Bantam Lake
Bantam Lake covers 947 acres in Morris and Litchfield and is a designated Northern Pike Lake with its own seasonal pike regulations.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Northern Pike
Special seasonal pike rules apply
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Chain Pickerel
Weedy coves. Spinners, spoons and live shiners, all year.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
White Perch
Schools roam open water. Small jigs, spoons and worms.
Bluegill
Listed as sunfish
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1Bantam Lake Boat LaunchRamp16 Palmer Rd, Morris. Paved trailer ramp, 20 gravel parking spaces, ADA accessible, open 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 | 12 in | 6 combined |
| Walleye | 18 in | 2 |
| Northern Pike (May 1-Nov 30) | 26 in | 2 |
| Northern Pike (Dec 1-end of Feb) | 36 in | 1 |
| 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.
- Sanzeri's Bait & TackleNearby288 South Main Street, Thomaston, CT · closest to Bantam Lake Boat Launch(860) 283-8654Directions ↗
Local tips
- Pike season: closed Mar 1-Apr 30; May 1-Nov 30 keep 2 at 26 in or longer; Dec 1-end of Feb keep 1 at 36 in or longer.
- No motors from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; 6 MPH in Nick's Cove.
- Live tench cannot be possessed; release or dispatch them.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Connecticut lakes
Lake Zoar Pachaug Pond Colebrook River Lake Waramaug Lake East Twin Lake (Washining Lake) Shenipsit Lake Gardner Lake Moodus Reservoir All Connecticut lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.