June 7, 2021

CT Boating FAQ’s

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In response to many of your questions, I recently contacted the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) regarding general boating rules. Candlewood Lake and many of the state’s inland bodies of water are attractive to both in-state, and out-of-state, boaters. I hope the frequently asked questions list compiled below will provide you with the information you are seeking.

Should you have boat launch questions, you can reach out to Peter Francis (peter.fancis@ct.gov), Mike Payton (mike.payton@ct.gov) until July 31, and Yolanda Cooley (Yolanda.cooley@ct.gov) thereafter. For boating-related violations or emergencies, you should call DEEP Dispatch at 860-424-3333.

Frequently asked questions:

How often and what hours are both State launches staffed by DEEP on Candlewood?

DEEP has staff on-site for weekends and holidays from about mid-May to early-October. The employees are Boating Education Assistants – seasonal employees – whose responsibilities are focused on connecting with boaters about boating safety, educating them about aquatic invasive species (and how to prevent transmission between waterbodies), and reporting on boat launch conditions/issues. Though the actual start/end times vary by location/employee, typically the BEAs are on-site between 7:00 – 3:30 to coincide with when most of the boaters arrive.

What are the fees to launch- in state and out of state?

There are no fees associated with in-state or out-of-state access to state boat launches.

Do out of state boaters need CT boaters license?

Connecticut law currently requires only Connecticut residents or persons with vessels registered in CT to either have a Safe Boating Certificate or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation CPWO (combined Safe Boating & PWC) to legally operate any boat in CT with a motor or non-motorized sailboat 19.5 feet in length or greater. Therefore, out of state residents do not require a license, except that anyone – resident or otherwise – operating a PWC must have a recognized CPWO from CT or a license from one of our partnering reciprocal states (NH, NY, RI, MA).

Do people who rent a power boat on Candlewood need to have a CT boating license?

Connecticut law currently allows any operator of a vessel rented for a period of less than 14 days from a business to be exempt from the safe boating certificate requirements. This does not apply to the rental of PWC, however, as any operator needs a CPWO or license from a reciprocal state.

Do the 2 State launches on Candlewood receive federal funds?

Yes. They are part of the system of state boat launches are maintained through the use of federal funds received by CT for such purposes through the US Fish & Wildlife Service in the Wildlife & Sportfish Restoration Program.

How much money is collected at each of the 2 state launches during the boating season on Candlewood Lake?

None. Boat launches are free for all boaters.

What is the money used for that is collected at the 2 state launches on Candlewood?

No fees are collected.

Is there anyone from DEEP monitoring that prize fishing tournaments do not exceed their permitted # of boats for their event?

Yes. DEEP Fisheries works closely with tournament organizers to ensure that only the permitted number of participants are allowed. Moreover, at facilities such as Candlewood Lake, the BEAs that are on-site typically work with the tournament organizers on the day of the event. Tournaments that exceed their permitted capacity generally will not be allowed to return for future events.

Does DEEP monitor for unauthorized, non-permitted tournaments?

If participants for an organized but unpermitted event (e.g. tournament, rally, group outing, etc) arrive at a boat launch and do not have authorization for a fishing tournament or special use license, they will not receive exclusive/dedicated use of the facility if there is a BEA or EnCon Police onsite. We do not have dedicated boat launch monitors who patrol our boat launches on weekends looking for unauthorized use. We have not received many complaints about this type of activity in the past from either the public or the BEAs in the field. If folks see this occurring at particular launches, please have them contact the DEEP Boating Division or DEEP EnCon Police Dispatch at 860-424-3333.

Will there be a method this year to assure that out of state boaters have paid their AIS fee to come to Candlewood?

Since state law does not require a sticker or other marking on the vessel, our BEAs will remind out of state boaters that the AIS stamp is required during their encounters at the boat launches and EnCon Police officers will ensure that boaters have purchased it as they interact with boaters on the water.