Highland Lake
Highland Lake in Winchester covers 445 acres and is a Bass Management Lake with a stocked trout fishery.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Bass Management Lake
Smallmouth Bass
Bass Management Lake
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
Crappie
Listed as calico bass
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Highland Lake Boat LaunchRamp297 West Lake St, Winchester. Concrete slab ramp, 27 paved spaces, ADA accessible, year round. Boats over 22 ft prohibited.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 | 16 in | 2 combined |
| Trout (Apr-Feb) | 12 to <16 in released | 5, only 1 at 16 in or longer |
| Panfish (crappie, bluegill, yellow perch) | See Connecticut rules book ↗ | See Connecticut rules book ↗ |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Highland Lake ↗Local tips
- Bass: 2 per day, 16 in minimum.
- Jul 1-Oct 15 no fishing within 100 ft of DEEP signs at the mouth of Taylor Brook.
- A 36-inch drawdown begins Nov 1, 2026.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Connecticut lakes
Bantam Lake Lake Zoar Pachaug Pond Colebrook River Lake Waramaug Lake East Twin Lake (Washining Lake) Shenipsit Lake Gardner Lake All Connecticut lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.