Lyme and Old Lyme Connecticut
A comprehensive guide to Connecticut fresh waters.
Rogers Lake is located in the towns of Lyme and Old Lyme, in New London County, approximately 15 miles west of the city of Groton.Rogers Lake is natural in origin, however the level has been raised by a dam across the outlet. It has a surface area of 265 acres. The normal surface elevation is 36 feet above sea level. The maximum depth is 61 feet. For a look at the water depths of Rogers Lake, please see - The Water Depths of Rogers Lake.
<>The lake is fed by Grassy Hill Brook, from the north, Broad Swamp Brook, from the east, and several other unnamed brooks. The outlet from the lake is into Mill Brook, into the Lieutenant River, and eventually the Connecticut River. The watershed of the lake is 4,833 acres of which most is woodland, water, and wetland.
A Look at Rogers Lake.
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Rogers Lake has been designated as a trophy trout lake. The fishing season closes March 31 and reopens at 6:00 a.m. on the third Saturday in April. During the period March 1 to March 31, the creel limit for trout is two and minimum length is 16 inches.
Rogers Lake is periodically stocked with brown and rainbow trout by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Since 1993, Rogers Lake has been stocked with 4 to 5 inch walleyes. Since that time the walleye population has been expanding and growth rates have been excellent. By the third year walleyes in the 15 to 18 inch range were present.
Other species that should provide good fishing are largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, yellow perch, brown bullhead, and sunfish.
<>There are limited areas of low to moderate density residential development.
Shoreline development is heavy with numerous houses and cottages located along much of the shore. Access to the lake is through a State owned boat launch located on the eastern shore. The launch can be reached by taking Exit 70 from the Connecticut Turnpike (Interstate 95) to U.S. 1 east. Continue approximately 2.5 miles on Route 1, turn north on Grassy Hill Road to the launch.
An aquatic vegetation survey of Rogers Lake was conducted during June and September 1995. The survey found dense aquatic vegetation in the shallower (less than 6 feet) mid-section of the lake with extensive growths of tapegrass (Vallisneria americana), water-milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophyllum), pondweed (Potamogeton spp.), naiad (Najas quadalupensis), and bladderwort (Utricularia radiata).Tapegrass, water-milfoil, and naiad were also found near the shore in many of the areas in both the northern and southern sections. Patches of floating vegetation, white-water lily (Nymphaea odorata), yellow-pond lily (Nuphar sp.), and watershield (Brasenia schreberi) were found in both the shallow mid-section and in the shallow coves.
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Regulations on the lake limit engines to 135 horse power. Boats propelled by airplane propeller, fan, or ducted fan are prohibited. Marine heads are prohibited on the lake. Parasails are prohibited, and there is a limit of two water-skiers per boat. Personal watercraft operation is permitted from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Motor powered craft prohibited beyond sign in cove at northwest end of lake. Boat traffic to proceed in a southerly direction only on the west side of Picnic Island, southwesterly direction only in excess of steerage way between Picnic and Whale Island, counter-clockwise pattern throughout lake when in excess of steerage way speed. Boat speed is limited to 6 miles per hour from sunset to 10:00 a.m., except 12 miles per hour from sunset to 10:00 a.m. November 1 to May 14. Steerage way with no wake in boat launch channel and in cove by Hains Park.