Gardner Lake is a natural lake of about 528 acres where Salem, Montville and Bozrah meet in southeastern Connecticut.
We rent MasterCraft wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis and water toys on Gardner Lake, and everything is ready for you at the lake. Add a captained charter with lessons for every level.
It's ringed by homes and campgrounds, and tiny Minnie Island in the lake is Connecticut's smallest state park, at under an acre.
Boat, jet ski and water toy rentals at Gardner Lake
Your rentals are waiting for you at Gardner Lake, so there's no truck, no trailer and no towing to worry about.
- MasterCraft boat rentals – roomy premium boats with surf boards, wakeboards and tubes, so the whole group can ride at Gardner Lake.
- Sea-Doo jet ski rentals – rent one or a pair, including 3-seat models that can tow a tube or skier.
- Captained charters – sit back and enjoy Gardner Lake while our captain drives, or learn to wakesurf with one-on-one coaching.
- Water toy rentals – add tubes, floating lily pads, paddle boards or a water trampoline to your day.
Book Now or call or text 1-888-594-6610 – we answer 7 a.m.–10 p.m. every day.
Gardner Lake at a glance
| Location | Salem, Montville, Bozrah |
|---|---|
| Size | About 528 acres |
| Max depth | About 36 feet |
| Island | Minnie Island State Park |
| Park | Gardner Lake State Park |
| Region | Southeastern Connecticut |
Best things to do on Gardner Lake
- Water skiing and tubing – open water on the main lake.
- Jet skiing – open water more than 200 feet from shore.
- Wakesurfing – calm water out in the middle of the lake.
- Swimming – the beach at Gardner Lake State Park.
Where to launch at Gardner Lake
- Public launch – the state ramp at Gardner Lake State Park off Route 354 in Salem.
Boats keep to 6 mph from sunset to 8am and slow-no-wake between Minnie Island and the east shore. Your rental from us is ready at the lake.
Tips for a great day on Gardner Lake
- Mornings are calmest for surfing.
- Connecticut requires an observer besides the driver whenever you tow a skier, wakeboarder or tuber.
- Kids under 13 must wear a life jacket on any boat that's underway in Connecticut.
Connecticut boating rules to know
- Every boat needs a wearable life jacket for each person on board. Kids under 13 must wear one whenever the boat is underway, and everyone on a jet ski or being towed must wear one.
- Anyone towing a skier, wakeboarder or tuber needs an observer on board besides the driver, and there's no towing from a half hour after sunset until sunrise.
- Jet skis can't run between sunset and sunrise in Connecticut, and they keep to slow-no-wake within 200 feet of the shore, docks and moored boats.
- Boats keep to slow-no-wake within 100 feet of the shore, docks and moored boats, except when picking up or dropping off a skier.
Map of Gardner Lake
Gardner Lake rental & boating FAQ
What can I rent at Gardner Lake?
Wakesurf boats, Sea-Doo jet skis, water toys, and private charters with a driver-instructor — everything for a full day on the water.
Do I need a truck to tow the boat?
No. Your boat or jet skis are ready for you at Gardner Lake, so there's no towing.
Where is Gardner Lake?
Where Salem, Montville and Bozrah meet in southeastern Connecticut.
Can you jet ski on Gardner Lake?
Yes. Jet skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing are all popular on Gardner Lake.
How big is Gardner Lake?
About 528 acres.
Is there a speed limit on Gardner Lake?
Boats keep to 6 mph from sunset until 8am, and slow-no-wake between Minnie Island and the east shore.