Description
Otis Reservoir is a 1,036-acre great pond located off of Route 8 on the Otis and Tolland town line. The average depth of Otis Reservoir is 18 feet with a maximum depth of 52 feet. The water is typically transparent to 8 to 10 feet, and aquatic vegetation is largely limited to coves where it can become thick. The southern third of the reservoir lies within Tolland State Forest and is undeveloped but the remaining shore is heavily developed with seasonal and permanent homes. Otis Reservoir is drawdown annually during fall and winter so use caution when navigating during these times as depth varies seasonally.
Recreational access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages a large concrete boat ramp and adjacent parking area suitable for 25 trailers off of Main Road (get directions). Shore access is permitted in areas adjacent to the ramp and around the Tolland State Forest Campground past the boat ramp. A parking fee may apply when accessing Otis Reservoir through Tolland State Forest.
There are also two unimproved dirt access points that are suitable for cartop watercraft. One is located at the intersection of Tolland Road and New Forest Road on the northern shore of the eastern bay of the reservoir (get directions). The other is located on the south shore of the reservoir along Belden Road (get directions). Parking is available for 4 to 6 cars at each location and each may be more difficult to access when the reservoir is drawn down.
Please contact the DCR offices of Tolland State Forest for additional information, fee structure, and/or restrictions pertaining to public access of Otis Reservoir.
The concrete boat ramp in Tolland State Forest managed by DCR.
The parking lot associated with the concrete boat ramp of Otis Reservoir, suitable for 25 vehicles with trailers and more cars.
Parking, cartop boat, and shore access on Tolland Road.
Fish populations
The following fish species were found during MassWildlife surveys:
- largemouth bass
- smallmouth bass
- chain pickerel
- white perch
- yellow perch
- black crappie
- bluegill
- pumpkinseed
- redbreast sunfish
- brown bullhead
- white sucker
- tessellated darter
- golden shiner
Otis Reservoir is stocked each spring and fall with trout.
Fishing
Most anglers come to Otis Reservoir in search of stocked trout released by MassWildlife. The trout fishing is good well into mid-summer and picks up again in late September and October when the reservoir receives a fall stocking. Due to the large size of the reservoir, finding trout can sometimes take a little time, but these fish will be numerous where they reside. The majority of trout are caught by trolling the deeper sections of the reservoir. Ice fishing for yellow perch, bass, and black crappie is also productive. Chain pickerel are scarcer but can grow to exceed 5 pounds. Otis Reservoir has produced chain pickerel, crappie, sunfish, white perch, yellow perch, brook trout, and tiger trout that meet minimum sizes for recognition by the Massachusetts Freshwater Sportfishing Awards Program.
More fishing resources:
Stop aquatic hitchhikers
Prevent the transport of nuisance species; clean all recreational equipment. Visit ProtectYourWaters.net to learn more.