2025 Shenipsit Lake Reservoir Fishing Program - Information for Boaters

All boats allowed on Shenipsit Lake must register with CT Water to receive a 2025 boat sticker. The fishing program eligibility requirements are below:

Eligibility Requirements

• Only boats powered by oars or electric motor are allowed.
• If you are using an electric motor, the state requires:
  • A Safe Boating Certificate (CT DEEP)
    Boat Registration (CT DMV)
  • Sculls, kayaks, paddle boats, and sailboats are not eligible because they are more susceptible to tipping over.
• A fishing license (CT DEEP) is required for those aged 16+.
• CT DEEP requires that all persons in a manually propelled boats wear life jackets between October 1st and May 31st. Required personal flotation devices must be in the boat at all other times.
• To protect Shenipsit Lake from invasive plants and zebra mussels, boats that have been used in other bodies of water should be dry docked/quarantined for at least five days prior to being placed in the reservoir.

Note that the boat registration process for the general public is different than the registration process for Shenipsit Lake shoreline property owners.

• I am a member of the general public (boat storage area lottery)
• I am a shoreline property owner 

This year, the registration process will be conducted via lottery. Registrants will have one week to register online. Once the registration period closes, registrants will be selected by random lottery. Registrants can take their time during the one-week registration period to assure that all information is complete and correct. Incomplete registration forms will not be accepted into the lottery.

The 52 boat slots will be designated in the following way:

• Tolland = 10 slots
• Ellington = 10 slots
• Vernon = 10 slots
• Other CT towns = 12 slots
• CT Water Employees = 2 slots
• Lake Monitors = 4 slots
• Shenipsit Lake Association Members = 4 slots

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Lake Monitor, please contact Teresa McDivitt at teresa@armazzotta.com.

To learn more about the Shenipsit Lake Association, please contact Shawn Laforest at slaforest@mysticlogistics.com

Important dates:

• Thursday, 3/13 @ noon – Online Registration Opens
• Thursday, 3/20 @ noon – Online Registration Closes
• Friday, 3/21 – Boat Slot Winners Announcement via email
• Saturday, 4/5 to Friday, 4/11, 1:00 – 5:00: Boat Drop Off/Quarantine
• Saturday 4/13 – Opening Day

The link for the 2025 online registration forms for the general public will be made available here at noon on Thursday, 3/13. You will have one week to complete your registration form. Registration will close at noon on Thursday, 3/21.  

Anyone wishing to store their boat at the boat storage area must register, regardless of any affiliation with CT Water or the Shenipsit Lake Association.

The 2025 online registration form will include the following fields:

• Boat Owner Name
• Address
• Email
• Phone #
• 16 Years or Older (Yes or No)
• CT Fishing License #
• Driver’s License #
• Shenipsit Lake Association Member (Yes or No)
• Connecticut Water Company Employee (Yes or No)
• Lake Monitor (Yes or No)
• Vessel Type
• Hull Material
• Color
• Boat Make
• Model No./Name
• Year Built
• Length
• Does your boat have an electric motor (Yes or No). If Yes:
  • Safe Boating Certificate Number is required if your boat has a motor (only electric motors are allowed on Shenipsit Lake). For more information on Safe Boating Certificates, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Certification/How-to-get-a-certificate-to-operate
  • Any boat with a motor (only electric motors are allowed) is required to be registered with the State of Connecticut, Department of Motor Vehicles (vessel registration). If your boat is registered, you will need to provide the following information:
    • Vessel Number
    • Hull ID Number
    • Registration Expiration Date

• How many additional boaters will be operating your boat in your absence? (None, 1, 2)
  • Each boater may designate up to two additional boaters to use their boat in their absence. Additional boaters can take passengers with permission of the boat owner but are responsible for complying with all state laws and the Connecticut Water Boater Agreement. Please be prepared to provide the following additional boater information for each additional boater.
    • Name
    • Email
    • Mobile phone #
    • Valid fishing license #
    • Safe Boating Certificate (if using a boat with a motor)

Connecticut Water Boater Agreement: After you submit the information described above, you will be redirected to e-sign the Connecticut Water Boater Agreement.

Important Program Rules to Note:

Boat Use: Lottery winners will have access to their boat slot for the entire season regardless of how many times they use their boat. A waiting list will be maintained in case someone voluntarily forfeits their boat slot.

Perks: Boaters who use their boats twelve (12) times or more at any time during the season (equivalent to two times per month) will be automatically awarded a boat slot the following season. These boaters will be exempt from the lottery BUT not exempt from the online registration process. All boaters must register regardless of boat use last season. The 2024 boaters who met this criterion will be contacted via email with further instructions.

More details about the 2025 fishing season will be provided to those who win the lottery.

Shoreline property owners abutting the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir are eligible to fish from their own boat(s) as long as a valid recreation program sticker is obtained from CT Water. All shoreline property owners boating and fishing on Shenipsit Lake must comply with recreation program requirements designed to protect water quality.

• Shoreline property owners may register more than one boat that they own.
• \All boats must be secured to the shore (i.e. lock and chained to a tree) to prevent unauthorized use. 
• To protect Shenipsit Lake from invasive plants and zebra mussels, boats that have been used in other bodies of water should be dry docked/quarantined for at least five days prior to being placed in the reservoir.

Click HERE to complete the Shoreline Property Owner Boat Sticker Request form. This form will be available throughout the season.

Once the online registration for is submitted electronically, a 2025 boat sticker(s) will be delivered to you and adhered to your boat by one of our Lake Monitors.