Our map counts 20 fishing waters within 75 minutes of Hartford: 11 reservoirs, 8 lakes and 1 bay or estuary. The mix is 19 freshwater and 1 salt or brackish water. Our records list no fewer than 30 species of fish for them.
Wangumbaug Lake is 29 minutes from Hartford
Wangumbaug Lake is the shortest drive from Hartford: 29 min (20.8 mi). The drive time is measured to the ramp: Boat ramp — Wangumbaug Lake.
Also within a short drive:
- Middle Pond (lake) — 35 min (21.8 mi)
- Gardner Lake — 40 min (31.8 mi)
- Mansfield Hollow Lake — 41 min (30 mi)
40 boat ramps and 21 piers within reach
Around Hartford you will find 40 boat ramps, 21 fishing piers and 48 shore-fishing spots on the waters in this guide. The boat ramp closest to the city center is Congamond Lakes (South Ramp) on Middle Pond, about 18.3 mi in a straight line. Without a boat, start at West Wharf Beach on Long Island Sound, the nearest pier — about 34.4 mi from the center.
30 fish species around Hartford
Of all the species, Brown Trout is on record at the most waters — 13 out of 20. It is followed by Bluegill (13), Rainbow Trout (11), Largemouth Bass (8) and Walleye (7).
The nearest water for each of the leading species:
- Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Walleye: Wangumbaug Lake, 29 min (20.8 mi)
- Bluegill: Middle Pond, 35 min (21.8 mi)
- Largemouth Bass: Bashan Lake, 43 min (30.2 mi)
Leading the list: Long Island Sound
Our ranking for Hartford weighs the drive, the depth map, the fish on record and the ramps; it puts these 3 first:
- Long Island Sound (estuary): 801,802 acres, 9 fish species on record, max depth 383 ft (surveyed) and 354 ramps.
- Wangumbaug Lake: 374 acres, 4 fish species on record, max depth 36 ft (surveyed), 3 ramps and 3,761 fish stocked.
- Mansfield Hollow Lake: 508 acres, 4 fish species on record, max depth 21 ft (surveyed), 2 ramps and 2,511 fish stocked.
Deepest nearby: Long Island Sound, 383 ft
The deepest water in this guide is Long Island Sound: 383 ft at its deepest point (surveyed). It is followed by Colebrook River Lake (130 ft), Lake Saltonstall (110 ft) and Lake Quinsigamond (85 ft). Maximum depths are known for all 20 waters.
16 stocked waters near Hartford
16 waters here have stocked fish on record, led by Beach Pond (87,308 fish), Bantam Lake (9,529 fish) and Highland Lake (9,300 fish).
8 campgrounds near the water
8 campgrounds sit by the waters around Hartford. The closest are Arrowhead Cove (28.6 mi, by Gardner Lake), Indian Field Campground (28.7 mi, by Gardner Lake) and Acorn Acres Campground (28.7 mi, by Gardner Lake).
