The DCR watershed system supplies drinking water to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority to treat and distribute to 3 million people. To protect the quality of our water, as well as the watersheds' other natural and cultural resources, you'll need a permit for a variety of activities, such as fishing, hunting and boating, as well as large group gatherings.
Quabbin Reservoir Watershed
- Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Group Access Permit application
The Group Access Permit application is an on-line form. - Quabbin Vehicular Access/Short-term Access Permit application
The Vehicular Access/Short-term Access Permit application is an on-line form. - Quabbin Fishing Season Parking Pass
Information about the Quabbin Fishing Season Parking Pass is posted on the Quabbin Fishing Guide website. Link for purchasing 2023 parking pass will be posted around March 1, 2023. - Quabbin Fishing Area Boat Rental application
- Quabbin Reservoir Night Access Permit application
The Night Access Permit application is an on-line form. Link to application for Night Access Permit will be posted around March 1, 2023. - Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Deer Hunt
- Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Deer Hunt Off-Reservation Vehicle Access Permit
The Off-Reservation Vehicle Access Permit is an on-line form. Quabbin Deer Hunt Off-Reservation Gate Key Information has details regarding this permit. - Watershed Research Permit application
Click here to apply for a permit to perform research on Division of Water Supply Protection property. Online applications only - no paper copies will be accepted. The online form allows DCR to develop a searchable database of research permits.
For more information or to submit Quabbin Reservoir permit applications, contact:
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Water Supply Protection
Quabbin Reservoir and Ware River Region
485 Ware Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
(413) 323-7221
QuabbinVisitor.Center@mass.gov
Additional Resources for
Ware River Watershed
- Ware River Group Acess Permit application
The Group Access Permit application is an on-line form. - Ware River Vehicular Access/Short-term Access Permit application
The Vehicular Access/Short-term Access Permit application is an on-line form. - Ware River Watershed Assembly permit application (weddings)
- Long Pond Boat Permit Application (on-line application only - there is no in-person or US mail application). The application for the 2022 season is now closed. DCR may limit the number of permits based on total applications but at least 50 permits will be issued.
- Watershed Research Permit application
Click here to apply for a permit to perform research on Division of Water Supply Protection property. Online applications only - no paper copies will be accepted. The online form allows DCR to develop a searchable database of research permits.
For more information or to submit Ware River Watershed permit applications, contact:
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Water Supply Protection
Quabbin Reservoir and Ware River Region
485 Ware Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
(413) 323-7221
QuabbinVisitor.Center@mass.gov
Wachusett and Sudbury Reservoir Watersheds
- Group Access to Wachusett Reservoir Watershed permit application
- Group Access to Poutwater Pond Nature Preserve permit application
- Wachusett Reservoir Watershed Deer Hunt
- Sudbury Reservoir Watershed Deer Hunt
- Watershed Research Permit application
Click here to apply for a permit to perform research on Division of Water Supply Protection property. Online applications only - no paper copies will be accepted. The online form allows DCR to develop a searchable database of research permits.
For more information or to submit Wachusett and Sudbury permit applications, contact:
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Water Supply Protection
Wachusett/Sudbury Region
180 Beaman St.
West Boylston, MA 01583
(508) 792-7806
Additional Resources for
Fishing and Hunting Permits
Licenses from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife are required for fishing and hunting on DCR/DWM land.