Youth Fishing Derby Planned At Shenipsit Lake Reservoir

From Connecticut Water Company: Come join the fun at the Shenipsit Lake Reservoir on Saturday, May 20, from 7 a.m. to noon, for a youth fishing derby. The derby is for children ages 3 to 15. The kids are split into three groups, ages 3-6, 7-10, and 11-15, to allow the little ones to get in on the fun. Free coffee and donuts will be available in the morning, and free pizza will be available after the weigh-in and awarding of trophies about noon.

The fishing derby is organized by the Shenipsit Lake Association (SLA) and Connecticut Water supports the derby by having the reservoir open to recreation and funding for the recreation program permitted by the state Department of Public Health. In addition, Connecticut Water contributes to the costs of the derbies to support these events. Shawn LaForest, president of the SLA, stated, “It’s always a great thing to bring young people into the wonderful world of fishing, and there’s no better place to do it than at our beloved lake!”

In the state of Connecticut, children under the age of 16 are not required to have fishing licenses. All children should bring their own fishing equipment. Additional details on the fishing derby is available at SLA’s Web site: http://shenipsitlake.org/

Fishing and hiking at Shenipsit Lake Reservoir are the result of a cooperative effort between the SLA and Connecticut Water to establish and manage the Shenipsit Lake Recreation Program. Shenipsit Lake Reservoir is a public water supply source that has been opened to fishing and hiking under a DPH permit for more than 20 years. “We take great measures to protect public drinking water supplies and our watershed areas as part of our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Cindy Gaudino, Connecticut Water’s Source Protection Manager. “At the same time, we are committed to providing the community with recreational activities and access to this treasured natural resource.”

The recreation program includes a year-round hiking trail around the lake in cooperation with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA). Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset from designated shoreline areas and from electric and oar-powered boats from the second Saturday in April through October 31. There is no cost to the public to fish or hike.

For more information about the Shenipsit Lake Recreation Program, please call Connecticut Water at 1-800-286-5700, Shawn LaForest, President of the SLA at (860) 305-5890, or visit www.ctwater.com > Stewardship > Serving Communities for a copy of the Recreation Program brochure and directions, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Photo courtesy of Connecticut Water Company