Bantam Lake

Lake fishing Connecticut · 05:18 - 20:30

Bantam Lake is a lake in Connecticut. The fish here are ranked by weather, water temperature and season, see the likely catch below.

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Conditions right now

Weather

Mainly clear

Water temp (est.)

69°F

Air temp

64°F

Wind

3 mph

Pressure

29.83 inHg → stable

Clouds

13.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-06-17 14:53

Best times today

Dusk 19:15–21:15 Night 21:15–04:33

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Next hours

08:00

64°

09:00

67°

10:00

70°

11:00

72°

12:00

73°

13:00

74°

14:00

74°

15:00

73°

16:00

71°

17:00

70°

18:00

70°

19:00

69°

Likely catch now (17 species)

Flathead Catfish

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

16%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season.

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Common Carp

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

15%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season.

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Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

15%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season.

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Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

14%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

8%

Active through the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

4%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

4%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Muskellunge

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

4%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Brook Trout

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

3%

Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

3%

Slow during the night, peak season, bright sky slows things.

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Black Crappie

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

3%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Bluegill

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

2%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season.

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Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

2%

Slow during the night, bright sky slows things.

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Northern Pike

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

2%

Slow during the night, bright sky slows things.

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White Bass

White Bass

Morone chrysops

1%

Slow during the night, water near its preferred 21 degrees, bright sky slows things.

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Lake Trout

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

1%

Slow during the night.

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About the fishing here

Bantam Lake is a lake in Connecticut.

Popular catches here include Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass.

Flathead Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Tips right now

Technique Start with a deadbait for flathead catfish, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for flathead catfish at night. Fish hard now.

Depth The water is colder than the fish like. Fish deep and slow. Look towards deeper water.

Lure Deadbait for flathead catfish: Live or whole baitfish.

Colour Clear water and good light: try live bait, colour secondary for flathead catfish.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Bantam Lake is the largest natural lake in Connecticut, covering 947 acres (383 ha) in the towns of Morris and Litchfield. Much of the land at the northern end of the lake, including the peninsula of Marsh Point, is protected by the White Memorial Foundation and home to a wide array of bird species. It is lined by campgrounds, camps for kids and has facilities for various water sports. The lake also has two public beaches, Morris Town Beach and Sandy Beach.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Bronson E Rockwell Reservation Connecticut · 3.3 mi away Lake Waramaug Connecticut · 7.5 mi away Gritman Pond Connecticut · 8.8 mi away Ella Fohs Camp Pond Connecticut · 10.2 mi away Hancock Brook Lake Connecticut · 10.8 mi away Chestnut Hill Reservoir Connecticut · 12.9 mi away Lake Winchester Connecticut · 15.2 mi away Hilltop Pond Connecticut · 15.4 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Bantam Lake?

Popular catches here include Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Muskellunge.

Do you need a fishing license at Bantam Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Bantam Lake?

Flathead Catfish fishing is usually best around Jun-Aug. The best windows are usually dusk and night.

What is biting at Bantam Lake right now?

Right now Flathead Catfish is the most likely catch, at about 16%.