Boat Launches In Ct: Open Or Closed?

Connecticut has a lot to offer when it comes to boating. The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) owns and/or operates 117 boat launches statewide on ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound. These launches are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless otherwise noted. Some boat launches are currently closed due to construction or severe cold weather. The state also offers a variety of boating ramps, some of which are well-maintained and provide easy access for anglers.

Connecticut boat launch locations

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) owns and/or operates 117 boat launches statewide on ponds, lakes, rivers and Long Island Sound. Unless noted otherwise, all launches are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• Bigelow Hollow State Park & Nipmuck State Forest: Boat ramps are provided on Mashapaug Lake and Bigelow, Breakneck, and Griggs ponds, all within this 9,000-acre forested state park and forest.
• Coventry Lake Boat Launch: Located on Route 31, this boat launch is open year-round and offers a seasonal floating wood dock and paved road access.
• Indian Well State Park: A boat ramp is available April through September at this park in the woods along the Housatonic River.
• Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch: Located off Route 44, this boat launch is open year-round and offers 12 parking spaces with paved ramp and access road.
• Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch: Located off Route 133, this boat launch is open year-round and offers a dirt parking lot, paved access road, and a paved ramp.
• Salmon River Boat Launch: Located off Route 149, this boat launch is open year-round and offers a seasonal floating wood dock, chemical toilets, and paved access road.
• Mystic River Boat Launch: Accessible from I-95, exit 89, this boat launch is open year-round and offers a dirt ramp and access road.
• Baldwin Bridge State Boat Launch: Located off Route 9, this boat launch is open year-round and offers floating and fixed wood docks, chemical toilets, and paved access road.
• Lake Zoar Boat Launch: Accessible from I-84, exit 14, this boat launch is open year-round and offers a seasonal floating wood dock, toilets, and a paved access road.
• Niantic River Boat Launch: Located in Waterford, this boat launch is open year-round and offers a floating wood dock, chemical toilets, and paved access road.
• Housatonic River Boat Launch: Accessible from I-95, exit 34, this boat launch is open year-round and offers floating wood docks, chemical toilets, and paved access road.

For the latest information on boat launches in Connecticut, you can follow the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection on social media:

• Facebook: @BoatingInConnecticut
• Instagram: @ctdeep_boating
• Twitter: @CTBoatingInfo

Boat launch parking availability

Boat launches with parking include:

• Mashapaug Lake Boat Launch: 15 parking spaces, open year-round, disability access.
• Coventry Lake Boat Launch: 26 parking spaces, open year-round, disability access.
• Lake Lillinonah Boat Launch: Dirt parking lot with space for 60 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Indian Well State Park: Boat ramp available from April through September, parking for 45 vehicles, no special disability regulations.
• Wood Creek Pond Boat Launch: 12 parking spaces, open year-round.
• Squantz Pond State Park: 25 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• East River Boat Launch: Open year-round, gravel parking lot, no disability access.
• Quonnipaug Lake Boat Launch: Parking for 8 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Bashan Lake Boat Launch: 10 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Salmon River Boat Launch: Parking for 60 vehicles, open year-round, disability access.
• Four Mile River Boat Launch: Open year-round, no disability access.
• Lake McDonough Recreation Area: Boat ramps available at this day-use park, boating and shore fishing from late April to Labor Day.
• Haddam Meadows Boat Launch: Parking for 100 vehicles, open year-round, disability access.
• Pachaug State Forest: Boat ramps available at Beachdale Pond, with a fishing platform accessible by wheelchair.
• Great Island Boat Launch: 35 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Dock Road Boat Launch: 45 parking spaces, open year-round, disability access.
• Mystic River Boat Launch: 8 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Lake of Isles Boat Launch: Parking for 10 vehicles, open year-round, disability access.
• Rogers Lake Boat Launch: Open year-round, no disability access.
• Waramaug Lake Boat Launch: 15 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Wintergreen Lake Boat Launch: Parking for 30 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Beseck Lake Boat Launch: Parking for 20, open year-round, no disability access.
• Lieutenant River Boat Launch: 3 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Niantic River Boat Launch: 100 parking spaces, open year-round, disability access.
• Bluff Point Boat Launch: 40 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Green Falls Reservoir Boat Launch: Parking for 6 vehicles, open from the Friday before the third Saturday in April through December 30, no disability access.
• Pachaug Pond Boat Launch: Parking for 40 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Wyassup Lake Boat Launch: Parking for 8 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Bissell Bridge Boat Launch: 18 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Crystal Lake Boat Launch: 7 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.
• Pine Acres Lake Boat Launch: Parking for 15 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Bayberry Lane Boat Launch: 30 parking spaces, open year-round, crowded, no disability access.
• Barn Island Boat Launch: 6 parking spaces, open year-round, disability access.
• Long Pond Boat Launch: Parking for 35 vehicles, open year-round, no disability access.
• Stoddard Hill Boat Launch: Open year-round, no disability access.
• Rainbow Reservoir Boat Launch: 15 parking spaces, open year-round, no disability access.

Boat launch accessibility

The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) owns and/or operates 117 boat launches statewide on ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound. Unless noted otherwise in the Connecticut Boater's Guide or on the DEEP website, all launches are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Boat launches in Connecticut are generally accessible year-round, with some seasonal variations. For example, the Indian Well State Park boat ramp is available from April through September, while the boat launch at Bluff Point Coastal Reserve is open all year.

Some boat launches may be temporarily closed due to construction or weather conditions. For instance, the KE Streeter (Thames River) Boat Launch in Groton is currently closed due to construction on the Gold Star Bridge. Additionally, floating docks are typically removed no earlier than November 15 and installed at sites no later than April 15, although most sites remain open for public use even without the docks.

To stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates on boat launches in Connecticut, you can follow the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Boat launch conditions

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) operates 117 boat launches across the state. These boat launches are typically open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, unless otherwise noted. Most sites are open for public use even if the dock is not installed.

For example, the Riverfront Park Boat Launch in Glastonbury, CT, is open from mid-April through November. However, boaters are advised to exercise caution due to fluctuating water levels on the Connecticut River.

The KE Streeter (Thames River) Boat Launch in Groton is currently closed due to construction on the Gold Star Bridge.

Boat launches located in state parks may have more defined seasons and accessibility, with some being open year-round and others operating only during certain months. For instance, the Indian Well State Park boat ramp is available from April through September.

It is important to check the latest conditions and any updates before heading to a boat launch, especially during severe weather.

Connecticut boating rules and regulations

Connecticut boat launches are generally open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unless otherwise noted. The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) owns and/or operates 117 boat launches statewide on ponds, lakes, rivers, and Long Island Sound.

The state's boating rules and regulations are as follows:

• Alcohol consumption is prohibited at boat launches.
• Patrons are requested to "carry out what they carry in" as no trash receptacles are provided.
• Acts of vandalism, littering, dumping, and other illegal activities should be reported to the Environmental Conservation Police.
• Some water bodies may be prone to blue-green algal blooms, which can produce and release toxins that are potentially harmful to swimmers, dogs, and people involved in activities that put them in contact with the water.
• Boaters must be aware of the risk of high blood alcohol content (BAC) and boating under the influence (BUI). The legal BAC limit in Connecticut is .08 for adults and .02 for those under 21 years of age. Boating under the influence of alcohol is prohibited, and BUI saturation patrols and checkpoints are utilized to enforce this.
• All residents or property owners, as well as anyone wishing to boat for more than 60 days in a year, are required to complete a boating education course. Non-residents are exempt from this requirement for up to 60 days of boating.
• Minors under 12 years of age can operate a motor-powered vessel of up to 10 horsepower alone.
• Water skiing is prohibited from half an hour after sunset until sunrise.
• A maximum noise level for motorboats is set at 90 dB for boats built prior to 1993 and 88 dB for boats built from 1993 onwards, following the SAE standard.
• The use of Y-valve through-hull discharge in waters under the state's jurisdiction is prohibited. Misuse or failure to equip a vessel with a Marine Sanitation Device can result in a $75 fine.
• All users of Personal Watercraft (PWC) are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD).
• PWC operation is prohibited from sunset to sunrise and during periods of restricted visibility.
• PWCs with three or four people on board are only allowed to pull water skiers if there is a backward-facing observer.
• PWCs must maintain a slow/no-wake speed within 200 feet of any shore, dock, pier, float, or moored or anchored vessel.
• Jumping within 100 feet behind a boat with a PWC is not allowed if it causes the operator to become airborne.
• All vessels must have effective muffling devices, although some cut-out devices may be approved.
• Boaters under 12 years of age, anyone being towed behind a vessel, and all people on PWCs are required to wear a PFD.

Frequently asked questions