Shenipsit Lake Reservoir Recreation Program to Open for 2024 Season

Registration for boat storage slots opens online on Thursday, March 14th, at noon

TOLLAND, Conn. — March 1, 2024 — The Connecticut Water Company (CWC) is pleased to announce that the 2024 Shenipsit Lake Reservoir fishing program will open at sunrise on Saturday, April 13, for the 2024 season.

Recreation at Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is allowed under a permit to CWC from the Department of Public Health that provides for approved recreational opportunities with measures to protect the public drinking water source.  As Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is a public drinking water supply, there are special precautions in place to ensure the continuous protection and quality of the water supply source.

The 2024 program features fishing from designated shoreline areas, fishing from boats registered and stored at the boat storage area, and hiking. Fishing from boats is available to property owners along the shoreline of the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir and for those who have boats stored at the boat storage area. There are 48 slots in the boat storage area that will be assigned by a lottery through an online registration process. 

“In 2023, more than 18,000 people took advantage of the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir recreation program, whether that be through hiking, fishing from the shoreline or fishing from registered boats,” stated Craig J. Patla, president of Connecticut Water. “We are pleased to offer this program again in 2024. For nearly 30 years this program has provided access to a great natural resource for recreation while still preserving the quality of the public drinking water supply.” 

Those who wish to have their boat at the boat storage area, located at 95 Ellington Road in Tolland, will need to register their boats through an online process. Paper registration forms will not be accepted. The week-long registration period will open on Thursday March 14, at noon and will close on Thursday, March 21 at noon. This year, a lottery will replace the first-come, first-served model used in the past. The lottery will take place when the registration period closes on March 21, which means registrants will have a full week to complete and submit their registration materials, which are required to be entered into the lottery. The link and instructions for boat registration lottery can be found at www.ctwater.com/shenipsit. 

All registrants will be notified of the status of their registration request on Friday March 22nd, and further instructions will be provided for those who received a boat slot. Those receiving a boat slot will have an opportunity to deliver their boat to their slot beginning Saturday, April 6 at noon. 

Additional information on the recreation program is available at www.ctwater.com/shenipsit. 

If you are interested in becoming a Lake Monitor, or have questions about the recreation program, please email Shenipsitlake@ctwater.com.