Lake guide · Connecticut
Bantam Lake boating rules, launches and marinas
Bantam Lake covers 947 acres. Speed limits: 6 mph limit in Nick's Cove. Public launch: CT DEEP trailered launch, 16 Palmer Rd., Morris (corner of Rte. 209 and Palmer Road). Marina Radar lists 2 nearby marinas, launches and boat services. It touches Litchfield, Morris. Each rule below links to its official source.
Updated : official sources checked that day. Fee amounts are not listed; where a fee applies we say so. Check the source before you launch.
What are the boating rules on Bantam Lake?
- Public launches
- CT DEEP trailered launch, 16 Palmer Rd., Morris (corner of Rte. 209 and Palmer Road); 20 parking spaces.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Address: 16 Palmer Rd., Morris”
- Launch fees
- Free public boat launching continues at the Bantam Lake State Boat Launch, as at all DEEP boat launches.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Free boat launching and public access will continue to be offered to the public at the Bantam Lake State Boat Launch as it is at all DEEP boat launches.”
- Quiet hours / time limits
- No motors from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “No motors 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.”
- Permit / sticker / registration
- Anyone operating a vessel that must display a registration decal on CT inland waters needs a CT AIS Stamp; a fee applies.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Any person who operates a vessel required to display a registration decal on Connecticut's inland waters must have a CT AIS Stamp.”
- Invasive species inspection / decon
- CT law requires inspecting and removing vegetation and aquatic invasive species before transporting a vessel (CGS Sec. 15-180).
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “by inspecting and cleaning their boats before moving them to or from the water as required by law (CGS Sec. 15-180)”
- Fishing rules
- CT DEEP lists northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch, calico bass (black crappie), yellow perch, sunfish, brown bullhead and tench in Bantam Lake. It is a Northern Pike Lake with its own pike rules: from May 1 to November 30 the daily limit is 2 pike with a 26 inch minimum, from December 1 to the last day of February it is 1 pike with a 36 inch minimum, and the lake is closed to pike fishing from March 1 to April 30. Possession of live Tench is prohibited. All other species follow the statewide rules. Internal combustion motors are not allowed on the Bantam River between Bantam Lake and the inlet to Little Pond.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Possession of live Tench is prohibited.”
- Bass and ice fishing
- Bantam Lake follows the statewide bass rules for lakes and ponds: open year round, 12 inch minimum length and a daily limit of 6 largemouth and smallmouth bass combined. CT DEEP lists ice fishing as a legal method for bass and for panfish (calico bass, sunfish, yellow perch and rock bass). We do not report ice conditions.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Legal Methods: Angling, Ice Fishing”
- Fishing tournaments
- The CT DEEP Bantam Lake launch page links the state schedule of marine events and fishing tournaments, and notes that tournaments are not open to the public.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “(note: tournaments are not open to the public.)”
Not found on an official source: wake limits, horsepower limits. That means we could not find it on an official page, not that there is no rule.
Other rules: boats towing water skiers not permitted within 150 feet of shore except taking off or landing; no riding on deck; no kite skiing or parasailing without permission.
Marinas, launches and boat services near Bantam Lake
Listings on the lake or in its towns, grouped by type. In each group, places with a phone come first, and both sets are A to Z. Not ranked, and no business paid to appear.
Dock services (1)
- WEDocks Morris
Bantam Lake questions
How big is Bantam Lake?
947 acres
Where is the public boat launch on Bantam Lake?
CT DEEP trailered launch, 16 Palmer Rd., Morris (corner of Rte. 209 and Palmer Road); 20 parking spaces.
Is there a fee to launch on Bantam Lake?
Free public boat launching continues at the Bantam Lake State Boat Launch, as at all DEEP boat launches.
What is the speed limit on Bantam Lake?
6 mph limit in Nick's Cove.
Can I operate a personal watercraft at night on Bantam Lake?
No motors from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Do I need a permit or sticker to boat on Bantam Lake?
Anyone operating a vessel that must display a registration decal on CT inland waters needs a CT AIS Stamp; a fee applies.
When is the boating season on Bantam Lake?
Launch is open year round.
What are the fishing rules on Bantam Lake?
CT DEEP lists northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, white perch, calico bass (black crappie), yellow perch, sunfish, brown bullhead and tench in Bantam Lake. It is a Northern Pike Lake with its own pike rules: from May 1 to November 30 the daily limit is 2 pike with a 26 inch minimum, from December 1 to the last day of February it is 1 pike with a 36 inch minimum, and the lake is closed to pike fishing from March 1 to April 30. Possession of live Tench is prohibited. All other species follow the statewide rules. Internal combustion motors are not allowed on the Bantam River between Bantam Lake and the inlet to Little Pond.
Can I ice fish for bass on Bantam Lake?
Bantam Lake follows the statewide bass rules for lakes and ponds: open year round, 12 inch minimum length and a daily limit of 6 largemouth and smallmouth bass combined. CT DEEP lists ice fishing as a legal method for bass and for panfish (calico bass, sunfish, yellow perch and rock bass). We do not report ice conditions.
Are fishing tournaments on Bantam Lake open to the public?
The CT DEEP Bantam Lake launch page links the state schedule of marine events and fishing tournaments, and notes that tournaments are not open to the public.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Bantam Lake?
Yes, if you are 16 or older. CT DEEP requires an inland fishing license for anyone 16 or older; it runs for the calendar year and ends December 31, and anglers under 16 need none. Connecticut residents 65 or older get the inland license free.
Do I need a boating certificate on Bantam Lake?
Yes, if you live in Connecticut, own property in Connecticut or your boat is registered in Connecticut, to run any boat with a motor or a sailboat 19 and a half feet or longer. CT DEEP accepts a Safe Boating Certificate, a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation or a valid US Coast Guard vessel operator license, kept on board. Every personal watercraft driver needs a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation from Connecticut, NY, MA, NH or RI.
Do I need a permit to pull a tube or water skier on Bantam Lake?
Yes. CT DEEP says the driver must be at least 16, hold a boating certificate from CT, MA, NH, NY or RI or a US Coast Guard vessel operator license, and have a Connecticut Safe Water Skiing Endorsement. Drivers who held that certificate or license before October 1, 2015 do not need the endorsement.
What are the water skiing and night rules on Bantam Lake?
CT DEEP says boats towing water skiers may not come within 150 feet of shore except when taking off or landing. Riding on deck is not allowed, kite skiing and parasailing need permission, and no motors may run from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
What does the Bantam Lake boat launch have?
CT DEEP lists the Morris launch as ADA accessible, with a paved ramp, seasonal floating wood docks, chemical toilets all year and 20 gravel parking spaces. The marina dock slips there are for renters only, so launch patrons may not use them.
Answers checked on CT DEEP fishing licenses page, CT DEEP boating certificate page, CT DEEP Bantam Lake launch page.
Towns on Bantam Lake
Nearby towns and services
Winter boat storage near Bantam Lake
Towns with winter boat storage on record, closest first, within 40 miles of the listings in this guide (straight line).