Recreation

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.

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. For more information visit Warren Parks and Recreation.

• 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.

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.

Veterans Fishing License Discount and Exemptions can be found here: Article about Tackle Village Project and list of participating states

States that have either Free or Discounted Fishing Licenses can be found here: http://tacklevillage.com/states-that-offer-fishing-licenses-for-disabled-anglers/

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 maintained

• 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

The DEP also specifies responsibilities of anglers in regards to aquatic nuisance species. An increasing number of maging aquatic species are invading waters of Connecticut. You can help prevent the spread of problem species by following these simple suggestions before leaving a boat launch:

• 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.

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.