Recreation
Boating | Lost & Found | Swimming & Beaches | Fishing | Camping | Other Activities
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BOATING
Boating on Lake Waramaug presents many opportunities for fun and relaxation, but also poses the biggest threat for the introduction of invasive weeds, as well as potential safety issues.
Washington Boat Launch
Under Connecticut Law, boaters must inspect their vessel for vegetation and properly remove and dispose of any vegetation before transporting the vessel; violations are subject to fines. To reinforce this law, the launching of boats on Lake Waramaug is restricted, and the Town of Washington passed a boat inspection ordinance.
$25.00 annual sticker fee.
All boats will be inspected for milfoil and subject to a $5.00 per launch inspection fee. Parking limited on a first come, first served basis. Violators will be towed.
You must provide boat and trailer registration, current Driver’s License and Safe Boating Certificate. Parking is limited to eight spaces (including one handicapped space) on a first-come, first-serve basis. Violators will be towed. Boats leaving the lake should be at the launch at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled closing time. Extra fee for late removal is $75.00.
Spring/Fall Hours:
Opening Day: Saturday April 20th
Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays
Memorial Day and Columbus Day
6:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to sunset.
Ramp closes for the season Sunday, Oct 27th at sunset.
Summer Hours:
Saturday June 22nd through Labor Day, Monday September 2nd
Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays - 6:00 a.m. to sunset
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays - 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Extra fee for late removal: $75.
Do not launch boats from any other location! For further information check the Parks & Recreation web page or call at 860-868-1519.
The Lake Waramaug Agreement
An agreement between the three towns and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection was signed in September 2004, following near unanimous approvals at town meetings. Major elements of the agreement include:
- No state boat launch will be built at the Lake.
- The sole public motorboat access to the Lake will be the Washington Town Ramp.
- Environmental inspection will be required for all motorboats entering the Lake at the Washington Boat Ramp.
- Washington Boat Ramp has been reconstructed to improve safety, access and parking.
- A maximum of 20 non-resident motorboats (13 from campers at the state park and 7 day boaters) will be allowed on the Lake at any one time. Thirteen non-resident motorboats operated by campers actually residing at the State Park Campground for at least two nights may be admitted through the Washington Launch with appropriate documentation from the State Park and upon payment of the required fees. See below.
- The fee for the Washington Launch season pass is $25.00 plus a boat inspection fee of $5.00 for each entry.
Inspection
The agreement provides that car-top boats (12 HP engine maximum, which can be carried on top of a car or in an van or pickup truck and can be unloaded by not more than two people) can be launched from either the State Park or the Washington Boat Launch after they have been inspected for environmental fitness to enter the Lake. Such inspections are presently performed at the Washington Boat Launch during its scheduled hours (see below). Dowler’s Garage on Route 202 (south of Route 45) can do car-top inspections if the Washington Boat Launch is closed. Operators of car-top boats should always inspect their boats carefully for any plant or animal material from other lakes or rivers before launching, and dispose of any such material AWAY from the lake.
All other motorboats, including jet skis, must be launched from Washington Boat ramp, which incorporates an inspection for dangerous plants or other material with each launch. The ramp is located on Route 45 near the Washington town beach at the southeast corner of the Lake.
Motorboat Speed Restriction
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"No person shall operate a motorboat on Lake Waramaug... in excess of slow-no-wake from May 15 through September 15, inclusive, in the cove adjacent to Lake Waramaug State Park in the area beginning at the northernmost tip of the cove, bounded by the shorelines, and southerly from said northernmost tip for a distance of 1,300 feet."
"Slow-no-wake" generally means that a motorboat shall neither attain a speed in excess of six miles an hour nor produce more than a minimum wake. The area affected by this regulation will be marked by floating buoys. Jet-skis and other motorized personal watercraft are also subject to this restriction.
The safety concern addressed by this regulation (the concentration of various competing users — ranging from swimmers and the operators of canoes and kayaks to motorboats towing water skiers — in this small and narrow congested area) was initially brought to the attention of the DEEP Boating Division by the on-lake enforcement officers of the Lake Waramaug Authority followed, in accordance with statutory procedure, by a request for DEEP remedial action by the Warren Town Meeting. The DEEP, after a lengthy and detailed assessment, conducted a public hearing review and public comment process, and proposed a regulation. After revision in response to public comment, and further review and modification by the Regulation Review Committee of the State Legislature, the above regulation was adopted.
In addition to this specific regulation, Connecticut law generally requires that no person shall operate a motorboat at a speed in excess of "slow-no-wake" within 100 feet of shore, a dock, pier, float or anchored/moored vessel, unless taking off or landing a water skier. For jet-ski personal watercraft, the distance is 200 feet. In other areas a boat must be operated so that it will not endanger others and must be able to stop safely within the clear distance ahead.
Any concerns about water safety should be directed to the Lake Waramaug Authority police boat on patrol or Resident State Trooper Stephen Sordi at 860-868-9671.
Safe Boating
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Connecticut law requires that all boats with motors — regardless of size — and sailboats powered by sail alone, 19 1/2 feet or longer, be registered and numbered before launching. If you purchase a boat that is currently registered, you are responsible for seeing that it is registered in your name. All vessels must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Evidence of ownership must be submitted at the time of registration. Upon receipt of the application and fee, an identification number will be assigned and a certificate of number/registration will be issued along with two validation decals. The registration will be valid until April 30 of the following year. Connecticut vessel numbers stay with the boat as long as it is registered in the state. Normally you will receive a registration renewal from DMV early in the calendar year. If you do not register the boat for a year, you will not receive another renewal notice and you must go to a DMV office to renew your registration.
Please practice safe and courteous boating. Connecticut boating regulations include:
- Operation of a motorboat at a speed in excess of "slow-no-wake" is illegal within 100 feet of shore, a dock, pier, float, or anchored or moored vessel unless taking off or landing a water-skier. For jet ski personal watercraft, these restrictions apply within a distance of 200 feet. "Slow-no-wake" speed is generally limited to 6 MPH.
- Operate vessel only at minimum speed necessary to maintain steerage when within 100 feet of a marked swimming area.
- Ensure you have a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) of the appropriate size for every person on board; and every child under 12 is wearing a PFD.
- A spotter, who is at least 12 years old, is required when towing waterskiers, tubes, wakeboards, etc.
- To maximize enjoyment of the Lake for everyone please be aware of swimmers, kayakers, canoers and rowers and try to maintain distance and minimize your wake which may destabilize them.
- Be aware of swimmers far from shore who may be difficult to see.
- Minimize noise on the Lake in the early morning and at night.
- Violators may be fined.
LOST & FOUND
Property found floating on the lake or which finds a temporary home on a resident's lakefront is a continuing water safety issue. To aid in resolving this problem, the Town of Washington ("Town"), the Lake Waramaug Authority ("Authority") and the Lake Waramaug Association ("Association") have agreed upon the following trial program of notification and removal:
The Town and the Authority have established the following email address: lakewaramauglostandfound@washingtonct.org
If you FIND property on the lake or it has floated to your shoreline, email a description of that property, along with your location and contact information. Please put "Found" in the subject line. Either retain the property or bring it to the Washington Boat Launch ("Launch"). If the property is too large or heavy for you to handle, include that information in your email or call Washington Resident State Trooper Matthew Costella at 860-868-9671 to seek instructions for possible assistance from the Authority's Marine Patrol Boat. (The Marine Patrol will assist in its discretion where possible, but only where its boat may operate safely.)
Articles floating on the lake will also be collected by the Marine Patrol Boat and will be brought to the Launch and placed in an area designated by the Town for such use. The Town will permit such property to remain at the Launch for at least ten days (two weekends), after which the Town may dispose of such property.
If you have LOST property, send a description of the property and your contact information to the email address above. Please put "Lost" in the subject line. Where possible, lost and found notices will be posted here, matched and the parties notified.
And Please Note That:
- Property owners remain responsible for the return of articles to their property or the disposal of large articles (dock and float sections, etc.) found in the lake or at the shore.
- Identifying information (name, address telephone number, etc.) on property in the lake or on the nearby shore (docks, floats, boats, boating equipment, skis, inflatables, furniture, etc.) will greatly simplify this procedure.
- The trial period for these arrangements is the current boating season, when the Marine Patrol is in operation and the Launch is open.
SWIMMING AND LAKESIDE BEACHES
Swimmers should remain close to shore and in marked swimming areas. It can be very difficult for motor boat drivers to spot swimmers! If you plan to swim further from shore, have a spotter boat accompany you to divert other watercraft.
Access to the Lake is available at the Lake Waramaug State Park at the northwest end of the Lake, and, for residents of Warren and Washington with the appropriate permits, at their respective Town Beaches. These locations provide opportunities for swimming, picnics, non-motorized boating.
Warren Town Beach
The beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to Warren residents, taxpayers, and their guests. Vehicles owned or leased by property owners or renters are eligible for beach stickers which must be affixed to the windshield side of the rearview mirror. Stickers will be checked by gate attendant. Cars without stickers will not be admitted! No Exceptions!
Warren Parks and Recreation offers a full set of rules about the use of the beach, and how to obtain a vehicle beach sticker.
Washington Town Beach
The beach is available to all residents and taxpayers of the Town of Washington. Permits allow use of the picnic and swim area, and are available at the beach. For more information contact Washington Parks and Recreation 860-868-1519.
 Illustrations by Joseph Tomelleri from the State Angler's Guide |
FISHING
A license is needed for anglers over age 16, and can be purchased at all Town Halls and selected vendors. The CT DEP's website lists license type, fees and where to obtain them. The DEP also offers extensive information about fishing in Connecticut in their "Connecticut Angler's Guide."
Species of fish found in Lake Waramaug include large mouth bass, small mouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish.
Follow DEP guidelines for being a responsible angler:
- Respect private property
- Do not cast onto docks or into swim areas (when in doubt cast elsewhere)
- Ask permission before fishing from shore or wading on private property
- Don't litter, don't pollute
- Keep your boat & motor properly maintianed
- Retrieve all lures & gear
- Don't release live bait
- Leave your fishing area cleaner than you found it!
- Be a safe boater
- Obey boating regulations and check your safety gear frequently
- Be a good neighbor
- Treat fellow anglers, other recreational users and property owners with courtesy
- Always be willing to share both the resource and your knowledge
- Completely drain all water from the boat.
- Inspect your boat trailer and equipment: remove and discard all aquatic plants and animals you may have picked up while on the water.
- Do not dump your bait bucket or release live bait. Avoid introducing unwanted plants and animals. Unless your bait was obtained on site, dispose of it in a suitable trash container.
- Do not transport fish, other animals or plants between water bodies. Release caught fish, other animals and plants only into the waters from which they came.
CAMPING
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OTHER ACTIVITES
- Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Follow canoe & kayak safety rules.
- Lake Waramaug is a popular circuit for bicyclists. Roads around the lake are narrow, so when biking, remain in single file to maximize safety for all road users. Parking is available at the State Park or with appropriate permits, at the town beaches.
- In addition to walking along the Lake, one can hike to the Pinnacle and enjoy a breathtaking view of Lake Waramaug from the Macricostas Preserve, part of the Steep Rock Association. Parking is on Christian Street, off Route 202. A map is posted at the trailhead, and maps can be purchased from the Steep Rock office; call 868-9131 for more information.
- For information about organized sports and recreation activities for adults and children, check out the Washington Parks & Recreation schedule.
- The Hopkins Vineyard Triathalon at Lake Waramaug and other competitive events are held throughout the year around and on the lake.
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