Lake guide · Connecticut
Highland Lake boating rules, launches and marinas
Highland Lake covers 445 acres. Speed limits: 6 mph from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and 6 mph from 5:00 p.m. Sunday to half an hour before sunrise Monday from the Sunday before Memorial Day to the Sunday before Labor Day. 45 mph limit on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Public launch: CT DEEP trailered launch at 297 West Lake Street, Winchester. Marina Radar lists 2 nearby marinas, launches and boat services. It touches Winchester, Winsted. 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.
Highland Lake boat and kayak rentals
Boat rentals are available at the Marina at Highland Lake from May through September.
Source: marinahighlandlake.com · “May through September”
What are the boating rules on Highland Lake?
- Public launches
- CT DEEP trailered launch at 297 West Lake Street, Winchester; fixed concrete docks, seasonal chemical toilets, 27 paved parking spaces, paved access road, concrete slab ramp, ADA accessible.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Address: 297 West Lake Street, Winchester”
- Speed limits
- 6 mph from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and 6 mph from 5:00 p.m. Sunday to half an hour before sunrise Monday from the Sunday before Memorial Day to the Sunday before Labor Day. 45 mph limit on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “6 MPH limit from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise”
- Boat size limits
- Boats greater than 22 feet in length and pontoon boats greater than 30 feet in length are prohibited.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Boats greater than 22 feet in length and pontoon boats greater than 30 feet in length are prohibited.”
- Staging and mooring
- No staging of personal watercraft, motorboat, or water skiing activities from the town owned beaches or park. No overnight mooring.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “No staging of personal watercraft, motorboat or water-skiing activities from the town-owned beaches or park. No overnight mooring.”
- Town ordinance fine
- Winchester Sec 43 sets a fine of not more than $90 for breaking the Highland Lake watercraft rules.
- Source: municipal-documents.s3.amazonaws.com · “fine of not more than $90”
- Drawdown (CT DEEP)
- CT DEEP: a drawdown of 36 inches will commence on November 1, 2026.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “A drawdown of 36 inches will commence on November 1, 2026.”
- Drawdown (Town of Winchester)
- Town of Winchester five year water level policy for 2026 to 2027: 36 inches down from November 1, held until ice is off, then refill to the usual spillway level.
- Source: municipal-documents.s3.amazonaws.com · “36 inches down from November 1”
- Fishing tournaments
- The CT DEEP Highland Lake launch page links the state schedule of marine events and fishing tournaments, and notes that tournaments are not open to the general public.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “(Note: tournaments are not open to the general public)”
Not found on an official source: launch fees, launch hours, depth, off season marina store hours. That means we could not find it on an official page, not that there is no rule.
Winchester Sec 43 sets the same Highland Lake speed and size rules as the CT DEEP launch page, and a fine of not more than $90 for breaking those rules.
Marinas, launches and boat services near Highland 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.
Boat dealer (1)
- The Marina at Highland Lake Winsted
Boat launch (1)
- Highland Lake Boat Launch Winchester
Highland Lake questions
How big is Highland Lake?
445 acres
Where is the public boat launch on Highland Lake?
CT DEEP trailered launch at 297 West Lake Street, Winchester; fixed concrete docks, seasonal chemical toilets, 27 paved parking spaces, paved access road, concrete slab ramp, ADA accessible. See boat ramps in Winchester.
What is the speed limit on Highland Lake?
6 mph from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and 6 mph from 5:00 p.m. Sunday to half an hour before sunrise Monday from the Sunday before Memorial Day to the Sunday before Labor Day. 45 mph limit on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Are there boat size limits on Highland Lake?
Boats greater than 22 feet in length and pontoon boats greater than 30 feet in length are prohibited.
Can I stage or moor overnight on Highland Lake?
No staging of personal watercraft, motorboat, or water skiing activities from the town owned beaches or park. No overnight mooring.
What is the fine for breaking the Highland Lake watercraft rules?
Winchester Sec 43 sets a fine of not more than $90 for breaking the Highland Lake watercraft rules.
When is the boating season on Highland Lake?
The state launch is open year round.
Is there a drawdown on Highland Lake?
CT DEEP: a drawdown of 36 inches will commence on November 1, 2026.
What is the Town of Winchester drawdown plan for Highland Lake?
Town of Winchester five year water level policy for 2026 to 2027: 36 inches down from November 1, held until ice is off, then refill to the usual spillway level.
Can I rent a kayak or boat on Highland Lake?
Boat rentals are available at the Marina at Highland Lake from May through September. See boat services in Winchester.
Are fishing tournaments on Highland Lake open to the public?
The CT DEEP Highland Lake launch page links the state schedule of marine events and fishing tournaments, and notes that tournaments are not open to the general public.
Towns on Highland Lake
Nearby towns and services
Winter boat storage near Highland Lake
Towns with winter boat storage on record, closest first, within 40 miles of the listings in this guide (straight line).