Lake guide · Connecticut
Lake Lillinonah boating rules, launches and marinas
Lake Lillinonah covers 1,547 acres. Speed limits: 45 mph daytime, 25 mph from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. Public launch: CT DEEP trailered launches at 199 Main Street South, Bridgewater, and at Pond Brook, 158 Hanover Road, Newtown. Marina Radar lists 3 nearby marinas, launches and boat services. It touches Bridgewater, Brookfield, New Milford, Newtown, Southbury. 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.
Lake Lillinonah boat and kayak rentals
- Connecticut Water Sports New Milford: Launches from West Cove Marina, New Milford, per its own site. Source: connwatersports.com
What are the boating rules on Lake Lillinonah?
- Public launches
- CT DEEP trailered launches at 199 Main Street South, Bridgewater, and at Pond Brook, 158 Hanover Road, Newtown; Bridgewater has 50 paved spaces, a concrete ramp and seasonal floating docks; Pond Brook has 60 dirt spaces, a dirt ramp and no docks.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Address: 199 Main Street South, Bridgewater”
- Newtown town launch
- Lake Lillinonah Town Park, 196 Hanover Road, Newtown, run by Newtown Parks and Recreation. The town's 2026 park rules say you must purchase a Boat Launch Key to launch a boat, and nonresidents need a boat launch key and a nonresident park permit. The daily boat launch pass is available for Eichler's Cove only.
- Source: newtown-ct.gov · “Must purchase a Boat Launch Key to launch a boat.”
- Speed limits
- 45 mph daytime, 25 mph from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; no approach within 300 feet upstream or 1,500 feet downstream of Shepaug Dam, or 300 feet downstream of Bleachery Dam.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “45 MPH limit daytime, 25 MPH from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise.”
- Quiet hours / time limits
- CT DEEP says no person shall operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “No person shall operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility.”
- Wake limits
- CT DEEP says motorboats must stay at Slow No Wake within 100 feet of shore, a dock, pier, float, or an anchored or moored vessel, and personal watercraft within 200 feet of those same places.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “motorboat Slow No Wake within 100 feet of shore, a dock, pier, float, or anchored or moored vessel; personal watercraft Slow No Wake within 200 feet”
- Permit / sticker / registration
- CT AIS Stamp required for registered vessels on CT inland waters (fee applies). The Lake Lillinonah Authority states there is no lake use fee.
- 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 largemouth and smallmouth bass, white perch, black crappie, northern pike, sunfish, common carp, yellow perch and tiger muskie in Lake Lillinonah. From Bleachery Dam to Shepaug Dam you may keep 1 northern pike or 1 tiger muskie a day, not both, and it must be at least 38 inches long. Bass follow the statewide lake rules: open all year, 12 inch minimum and 6 fish a day in total.
- Source: portal.ct.gov · “Daily creel limit of one pike or one muskie (not both), 38 inch minimum length”
Not found on an official source: horsepower limits. That means we could not find it on an official page, not that there is no rule.
Fuel: the Authority states publicly available fuel is no longer available on the lake. Boaters are required to use approved containers to transport fuel. Source: lakelillinonahauthority.org
Marinas, launches and boat services near Lake Lillinonah
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 rental (1)
- Connecticut Water Sports New Milford
Lake Lillinonah questions
How big is Lake Lillinonah?
1,547 acres
Where is the public boat launch on Lake Lillinonah?
CT DEEP trailered launches at 199 Main Street South, Bridgewater, and at Pond Brook, 158 Hanover Road, Newtown; Bridgewater has 50 paved spaces, a concrete ramp and seasonal floating docks; Pond Brook has 60 dirt spaces, a dirt ramp and no docks. See boat ramps in Newtown.
What is the speed limit on Lake Lillinonah?
45 mph daytime, 25 mph from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise; no approach within 300 feet upstream or 1,500 feet downstream of Shepaug Dam, or 300 feet downstream of Bleachery Dam.
Can I operate a personal watercraft at night on Lake Lillinonah?
CT DEEP says no person shall operate a personal watercraft between sunset and sunrise or during periods of reduced visibility.
What are the no wake rules on Lake Lillinonah?
CT DEEP says motorboats must stay at Slow No Wake within 100 feet of shore, a dock, pier, float, or an anchored or moored vessel, and personal watercraft within 200 feet of those same places.
Do I need a permit or sticker to boat on Lake Lillinonah?
CT AIS Stamp required for registered vessels on CT inland waters (fee applies). The Lake Lillinonah Authority states there is no lake use fee.
When is the boating season on Lake Lillinonah?
Pond Brook launch is open year round. See boat ramps in Newtown.
What are the fishing rules on Lake Lillinonah?
CT DEEP lists largemouth and smallmouth bass, white perch, black crappie, northern pike, sunfish, common carp, yellow perch and tiger muskie in Lake Lillinonah. From Bleachery Dam to Shepaug Dam you may keep 1 northern pike or 1 tiger muskie a day, not both, and it must be at least 38 inches long. Bass follow the statewide lake rules: open all year, 12 inch minimum and 6 fish a day in total.
Is there a fee to launch on Lake Lillinonah?
No. CT DEEP says state boat launches are free unless they are in a state park, and neither Lillinonah launch page lists a state park. A CT AIS Stamp is still required for registered vessels on Connecticut inland waters.
Is the Lake Lillinonah launch open at night?
Yes. CT DEEP lists both Lillinonah launches as open year round and says state launches outside state parks are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Is there hydrilla in Lake Lillinonah?
Yes. CT DEEP says hydrilla is spreading fast through Connecticut and has recently been found in Lake Lillinonah. It forms dense patches that can get in the way of boating, paddling and fishing. The Lake Lillinonah Authority says zebra mussels have been found on Lake Lillinonah. Connecticut law requires you to inspect your boat and remove any plants and invasive species before moving it to or from the water.
How close can I get to Shepaug Dam?
Boats may not come within 300 feet upstream or 1,500 feet downstream of Shepaug Dam, or within 300 feet downstream of Bleachery Dam.
Can I park overnight at the Lake Lillinonah boat launch?
Yes. CT DEEP allows overnight parking at state boat launches for up to two days, at your own risk.
Do I need a boating certificate on Lake Lillinonah?
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 fishing license to fish Lake Lillinonah?
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, and Connecticut residents age 16 or 17 pay half price.
Can I camp on Lake Lillinonah?
No. The Lake Lillinonah Authority says camping is not allowed on Lake Lillinonah.
Do I have to wear a life jacket paddling Lake Lillinonah from October through May?
Yes. This is a statewide Connecticut rule. CT DEEP says: "During the period from October 1st through May 31st, all persons on board a manually propelled vessel must wear a Type I, II, III or V, U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device."
Is the ice on Lake Lillinonah safe?
CT DEEP says: "Ice is never 100 percent safe." For new, clear (blue) ice on lakes and ponds, CT DEEP says under 4 inches, stay off; 4 inches, ice fishing or other activities on foot; 5 to 7 inches, snowmobile or ATV. CT DEEP also says: "Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges, and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends, and inlets and outlets of lakes and ponds is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current." It is illegal to drive a car or truck on the ice in Connecticut. We do not report current ice conditions on Lake Lillinonah. Check the CT DEEP Ice Safety page before you go out.
What is the normal water level on Lake Lillinonah?
FirstLight says the normal summer operating range of its Shepaug station on Lake Lillinonah is 200 to 195.5 feet, and the drawdown targets 190.5 feet.
Do I need to take my dock out of Lake Lillinonah for the winter?
FirstLight encourages all homeowners to remove structures, boat lifts and docks from Lake Lillinonah to prevent ice or flood damage during the winter months. All work along the shoreline needs a FirstLight permit first. FirstLight says it can be contacted at www.firstlightpermits.com.
When is the Shepaug Recreation Area open?
FirstLight says the Shepaug Recreation Area, on River Road in Southbury, is open for summer hiking, picnicking and fishing from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Can nonresidents use the Newtown town launch on Lake Lillinonah?
Yes. Newtown's 2026 Town Parks Rules and Regulations say a nonresident who wishes to use the boat launch at Eichler's Cove or Lake Lillinonah must purchase a boat launch key and a nonresident park permit. The town launch is at Lake Lillinonah Town Park, 196 Hanover Road, Newtown, and you must purchase a Boat Launch Key to launch a boat there. The daily boat launch pass is available for Eichler's Cove only. See boat ramps in Newtown.
Can you swim in Lake Lillinonah?
Not at the CT DEEP launches, and not from the ramp at Newtown's Lake Lillinonah Town Park. CT DEEP's 2026 Connecticut Boaters Guide says that at boating access areas under the control of CT DEEP, "No person shall engage in bathing, swimming, snorkeling, or SCUBA diving." That covers the CT DEEP Lillinonah launches in Bridgewater and at Pond Brook in Newtown. Newtown's 2026 Town Parks Rules and Regulations say the ramp at Lake Lillinonah Town Park, at 196 Hanover Road, is to be used for launching or taking out boats, water vessels, canoes and kayaks, and "NO swimming, fishing, boat mooring/maintenance of boat or fueling."
Answers checked on CT DEEP boat launch FAQs, CT DEEP Lillinonah Bridgewater launch page, CT DEEP Pond Brook launch page, CT DEEP AIS Stamp FAQ.
Answers checked on CT DEEP boat launch FAQs.
Answers checked on CT DEEP boating certificate page, CT DEEP fishing licenses page.
Answers checked on Lake Lillinonah Authority FAQs, CT DEEP life jacket page, Lake Lillinonah Authority Lake Information page.
Fishing answers checked on CT DEEP lake and pond regulations, CT DEEP species regulations, CT DEEP fishing licenses page.
Ice answer checked on CT DEEP Ice Safety page.
FirstLight answers checked on FirstLight drawdown notice, FirstLight Shepaug Recreation Area page.
Answers checked on Town of Newtown 2026 Town Parks Rules and Regulations, Town of Newtown Eichler's Cove and Lake Lillinonah launch page.
Swim answer checked on CT DEEP 2026 Connecticut Boaters Guide, Newtown 2026 Town Parks Rules and Regulations.
PWC and Slow No Wake answers checked on CT DEEP 2026 Boaters Guide.