Crystal Lake Fishing near West Torrington, Connecticut

• Overview

  Set in Northwest Hills Planning Region, Crystal Lake is a Connecticut water. The setting is lake country bush on every side. The water measures roughly 4 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. On size it sits at the modest end of our Northwest Hills Planning Region list. West Torrington lies 0.4 miles from the water. Further out sit Torrington (2.1 miles) and Northwest Harwinton (4.8 miles). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Crystal Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish documented in Northwest Hills Planning Region include bluegill, brown trout, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The shape of Crystal Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 70°F in July and bottom out at 23°F in January. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Climate figures give an open season running late March to late December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Crystal Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Town Open Space covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. The nearest alternative is Stillwater Pond, 1.4 miles out. Signs at Crystal Lake carry more weight than any list.