PUBLIC ACCESS SUMMARY
QUABBIN RESERVOIR WATERSHED SYSTEM

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Activity	Quabbin Park	Quabbin Reservation	Off-Reservation	Quabbin Reservoir	Regulating Ponds	Off-Watershed Ponds23
VEHICLE ACCESS
Driving for Sightseeing	□1
Snowmobiling			□2
ATV Riding
Bicycling -Designated Roads	□3	□4	□5
Off-road Bicycling
Sledding	□6	□	□			□
FOOT ACCESS
Walking/Hiking/Snowshoeing	□7	□7	□			□
Cross-country Skiing			□
Hunting/Trapping	□8	□8	□
Ice Fishing/Ice Skating			□			□9
Shore Fishing	10	□11	□12	□11	□11	□12
WATER ACCESS
Boat Fishing			□13	□14	□14	□13
Canoeing/Kayaking/Boating					□14	□15
Wading	16	□17	□17	□18		□16
Swimming
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Group Activities (e.g., weddings)	□19	□19	□19
Geocaching/Questing	□20	□20	□20
Wildlife/Bird Watching	□7	□7	□7	□7	□7	□7
Night Access	21	□22	□22			□21
Organized Sports	24	24	24
Dogs/Other Animals
Horseback Riding
Collecting/Metal Detecting
Camping
Fishing Derbies
Target Shooting
Advertising (Placing of Signs)
Marking - Trail/Roads
Alcohol (Possession of)
Other	Please call the Quabbin Visitor Center 413-323-7221 or Watershed Ranger Station 413-323-0192

LEGEND:

□General Restrictions: General public access within the Quabbin Reservoir Watershed System is restricted to one hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset through gates or designated (posted) areas only. Any activity which injures or defaces the property of the Commonwealth is strictly prohibited. This chart is based on the Watershed Protection Regulations 350 CMR 11.00, copies of which are available at the Quabbin Visitor Center. Littering is strictly prohibited. Carry in/Carry out. Don't feed wildlife.

Activity prohibited.

Specific Restriction:

1: The Winsor Dam and Goodnough Dike have restricted vehicle access for security reasons.

2: Snowmobiling is allowed only on the DCR designated trail located on Off-Reservation land. 304 CMR 12.29 applies.

3: Bicycling is only allowed on designated roads in Quabbin Park. See DCR Bicycling maps. Helmets and protective gear are required by MA law for children under 16 years of age and recommended for others

4:Bicycling is allowed only on designated roads through DCR gates 29, 30, 31, 35, 40, 43A & B, and 44. Bicycling is only allowed on designated roads through Gate 8 during fishing season. See DCR Bicycling map for designated roads.

5: Bicycling is allowed on main forest roads only within Off-Reservation lands with seasonal restrictions (e.g., mud season).

6: Sledding or any other kind of sliding activity is prohibited on the reservoir, the dams and other structures.

7: Walking, hiking, or snowshoeing access is allowed within the Quabbin Reservoir Watershed system, except in restricted areas (e.g., Prescott Pennisula, posted Administration Areas, Reservoir islands and along the baffle dams-November 15 - June 15).

8: Hunting and Trapping are prohibited except by special permit during the Quabbin Controlled Deer Hunt and associated Paraplegic Hunt. Contact the Quabbin Visitor Center for more information.

9: Ice fishing, ice skating, and carry-in boat access allowed on three Off-watershed ponds: South Spectacle, Bassett and Peppers Mill Ponds only. Please call Watershed Rangers, if accessing, as a courtesy at 413-323-0192.

10: No fishing in Quabbin Park except catch-and-release fly fishing (allowed all year) below the Winsor Dam in the Swift River, unless posted.

11: Shore fishing along the Reservoir and along streams is permitted between Gates 8-West Branch Swift River, and 22-44 (except on baffledams), by foot, during the designated Quabbin Fishing Season only. See the current Quabbin Fishing Guide and Map available at the Quabbin Visitor Center.

12: Shore fishing within off-reservation lands and along off-watershed ponds is allowed year round according to State Fishing regulations.

13: Carry-in boat access is allowed on off-watershed ponds. See Night Access Policy, if applicable.

14: Boat access on designated areas of reservoir or regulating ponds requires valid MA Fishing License and size/motor restrictions. Wearing boots is mandatory if wading while launching or removing boats at designated areas from the Reservoir. Fishing access using canoes, kayaks, or jon boats is allowed only through Gate 31 above regulating dam and through Gate 43 on Pottapaug Pond with restrictions. Contact the Quabbin Visitor Center at 413-323-7221 for more information regarding current Fishing Guide.

15: Allowed subject to MA Boating regulations. Please call Watershed Rangers, if accessing, as a courtesy at 413-323-0192

16: Wading is allowed Off-watershed below the Winsor Dam Power Station on the Swift River

17:Wading with boots is allowed between Gate 8-West Branch Swift River, and Gate 22-44, except in restricted areas, and in Off-Reservation tributaries.

18: Wading is prohibited except while launching or removing boats while wearing boots, at designated boat launch areas.

19: Allowed without a permit for groups of less than 25 individuals and/or less than 10 cars and/or 10 motorcycles. Permit required for group of 25 through 100 individuals and/or 10-40 cars/motorcycles or 1 bus. Permit and Ranger required for larger groups or other combinations.

20: Special permit from Visitor Center required for any cache placement.

21: Night access within Quabbin Park is prohibited with two exceptions. It is allowed without a permit on Swift River below Y pool, if access is from Route 9, and on Peppers Mill Pond.

22: Night access within Quabbin Reservation is allowed by permit for pedestrians only through Gates 16, 31, 35, 41, and 43 only during the designated Quabbin Fishing season. Night access directly from 122 is allowed without a permit on South Spectacle Pond (off-watershed). Night access is allowed on Off-Reservation lands with special permit. Contact Quabbin Visitor Center for permit information.

23: South Spectacle, Bassett, and Peppers Mill Ponds.

24: Prohibited except with written permission from the Commissioner.

Visit the Quabbin Visitor Center at Winsor Dam - 9-4:30 Daily phone: 413-323-7221.

Report violations/emergencies to the Massachusetts State Police @ 413-323-7561 OR *masp on cellular phone
or
Watershed Rangers @ 413-323-0191

The Department and it's employees are not responsible for any damage to or loss of property sustained by visitors or for any injury or loss of life which may be incurred in connection with public use of the reservoir or watershed system.