What special fishing regulations apply at Bantam Lake?

Bantam Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Northern pike. One of them reads: "947-acre — largest natural lake in CT; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 6 / day combined; northern pike 2 / day 26 in min (May 1 – Nov 30), 1 / day 36 in min (Dec 1 – last day Feb), CLOSED to pike Mar 1 – Apr 30 (spawn); walleye 18 in min, 2 / day; Bass Management Lake — closed harvest April 1 – June 15 catch-and-release artificial-only." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Bantam Lake?

Yes. Bantam Lake is in Connecticut, so a valid Connecticut fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Bantam Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.

Do Bantam Lake's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Bantam Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Bantam Lake?

Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Northern pike have a water-body-specific rule on Bantam Lake, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

2026 regulation year

Bantam Lake 2026 — Connecticut Fishing Regulations

Connecticut statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Bantam Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of Connecticut's 2026 fishing rules — covering Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Northern pike. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

947-acre — largest natural lake in CT; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 6 / day combined; northern pike 2 / day 26 in min (May 1 – Nov 30), 1 / day 36 in min (Dec 1 – last day Feb), CLOSED to pike Mar 1 – Apr 30 (spawn); walleye 18 in min, 2 / day; Bass Management Lake — closed harvest April 1 – June 15 catch-and-release artificial-only
Source: Connecticut special-water list

Per-species rules on Bantam Lake

Largemouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 6 / day combined; Bass Management Lake — closed harvest Apr 1 – Jun 15
Smallmouth bass regulations →
12 in min, 6 / day combined; Bass Management Lake — closed harvest Apr 1 – Jun 15
Northern pike regulations →
2 / day @ 26 in min (May 1 – Nov 30); 1 / day @ 36 in min (Dec 1 – last day Feb); CLOSED Mar 1 – Apr 30 (spawn)

Official source

Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions publishes the authoritative 2026 Connecticut fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Connecticut fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's emergency-order feed — check it before any Connecticut trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Connecticut

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Bantam Lake?: Bantam Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Connecticut's statewide 2026 rules, covering Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Northern pike. One of them reads: "947-acre — largest natural lake in CT; 12 in min largemouth + smallmouth, 6 / day combined; northern pike 2 / day 26 in min (May 1 – Nov 30), 1 / day 36 in min (Dec 1 – last day Feb), CLOSED to pike Mar 1 – Apr 30 (spawn); walleye 18 in min, 2 / day; Bass Management Lake — closed harvest April 1 – June 15 catch-and-release artificial-only." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Bantam Lake?: Yes. Bantam Lake is in Connecticut, so a valid Connecticut fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) — Inland Fisheries + Marine Fisheries Divisions. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Bantam Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Connecticut rules.
Do Bantam Lake's special rules replace Connecticut's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Connecticut's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Bantam Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Bantam Lake?: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, and Northern pike have a water-body-specific rule on Bantam Lake, each linking to its full Connecticut regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Connecticut limits.

← Back to Connecticut regulations overview