Lake Hayward near Salem: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Lake Hayward in the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region part of Connecticut. Salt water lies 11 miles off. It measures about 178 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The edge runs 2.8 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. 3.5 miles away sits Salem, the nearest town. It is 25 miles to Hartford, the nearest city. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Lake Hayward

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Open biodiversity records for Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region list bluegill, bowfin, white perch and alewife. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. The shape of Lake Hayward decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 71°F and January reads 26°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Hayward.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. There is a ramp at Lake Hayward Boat Launch, half a mile out. There are toilets half a mile off. Part of this sits inside or beside Shugrue Farm Reserve, so read the notices. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Alexander Pond, 1.7 miles out. Signs at Lake Hayward carry more weight than any list.