
Town(s):
Hardwick MA, Petersham MA, New Salem MA, Pelham MA, Belchertown MA, Ware MA
County:
Franklin, Hampshire, Worcester
Size:
24529
acres
Average Depth:
feet
Maximum Depth:
feet
Boating Allowed:
State & Local Rules & Regulations Apply, Horsepower or Speed Restrictions, See Comments
Boating Comments:
See http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/dwmaccessrules.htm. Only boats of a minimum length of 12 feet, and of a type considered safe by the Commission representative in charge, shall be used. No inboard motors, collapsible boats, sailboats, pontoon boats, square sterned canoes, or other similar craft will be permitted in the water, and no boats will be permitted in the water except in areas designated for boating by the Commission or its designee. Outboard motors shall have a rating of not more than one-half the BIA or OBC rated horsepower for the boat and shall not exceed 20 horsepower, except that outboard motors for Commission boats less than fourteen 14 feet six inches in length shall not exceed ten horsepower. Boats less than 14 feet six inches in length will be limited to three occupants, and boats of that length and in excess thereof may be licensed to carry four occupants. No boats shall carry more than four occupants. Canoes and jon boats of a minimum length of 12 feet, and of a type considered safe by the Commission representative in charge, shall be used and only in areas designated for boating by the Commission on Pottapaug Pond above the regulating dam and at Gate 31 above the regulating dam. Canoes less than 16 feet and jon boats less than 14 feet six inches in length will be limited to two occupants, and canoes and jon boats in excess thereof may be licensed to carry three occupants. All boats must be in compliance with current Commonwealth Boating Laws. All boats must be clean and contain no refuse of any kind. Commission personnel shall have the right to inspect all private boats launched at Commonwealth facilities and may deny access in order to protect water quality or the safety of occupants. Chock blocks must be used on vehicles when removing boats from the Reservoir.
Swimming:
No Swimming Allowed
Water Quality:
No Known Issues, Town/State Monitoring
Vegetation Growth:
Minimal
Non-native Species:
Unknown
Fishing Comments:
See http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/quabfish.htm
Fish Species:
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Salmon, Lake Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Boat Access:
Primarily Car-top boats & Canoes
Ramp Comments:
See http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/watershed/quabfish.htm
Parking Spaces:
21-40
Directions:
FROM BOSTON: Take the Mass. Turnpike to Exit 8 (Palmer). At the end of the Exit Ramp turn left onto Route 32 North and proceed for 8 miles. In Ware turn left at the green sign "Route 9 West" (just past McDonalds). Go 2/10ths of a mile to a stop sign. Turn left onto Route 9 and proceed west for 7 miles. Turn right at the green sign marked "Quabbin Reservoir - Winsor Dam" (Note: This will be the second green sign on your right. The first sign, located at the 5.3 mile mark, provides access to the m
Shoreline Development:
50-75%