Lake Candlewood in western Connecticut is the state's largest lake, covering approximately 5,400 acres with 60 miles of shoreline. Created in the 1920s as a reservoir for hydroelectric power, the lake has a maximum depth of 85 feet with an average depth of 40 feet. Known for its exceptional fishing, particularly for smallmouth bass, Candlewood spans five towns: Brookfield, New Milford, Sherman, Danbury, and New Fairfield. The lake's underwater topography includes the remnants of a former town called Jerusalem, with submerged roadbeds, building foundations, and even headstones from an old cemetery, creating ideal fish habitat. Water clarity generally ranges from 2-3 meters during summer months, and the lake experiences significant annual water level fluctuations due to winter drawdowns used to manage invasive aquatic plants.