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
- Group Access permit application
Note: the Group Access Permit application is an on-line form.
- Quabbin Vehicular Access permit application
- Quabbin Short-term Access permit application
- Quabbin Fishing Area Season Pass Application
- Quabbin Fishing Area Boat Rental application
- Quabbin Reservoir Night Access application
- Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Research Permit: Instructions Permit Application
- Quabbin Reservoir Watershed Deer Hunt
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
Additional Resources for
Ware River Watershed
- Ware River Watershed Group Access permit application
- 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 2020 application period is now closed. DCR will notify all applicants by US mail.
- Ware River Watershed Research Permit: Instructions Permit Application
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
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
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.