Located less than 30 miles from Hartford, Lake McDonough is one of Connecticut’s gems. Lake McDonough is a scenic, unspoiled public recreation area that offers ways to enjoy the beauty of New England. The Lake McDonough recreation area is located on the west side of Route 219 in Barkhamsted, Connecticut, just over three miles northeast of the Route 44 intersection in New Hartford Center.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 IS THE LAST DAY OF THE 2024 BOATING SEASON FOR LAKE MCDONOUGH
2024 BOATING SEASON PASSES CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE
SEASON PASSES
On April 1, Season Passes for boating at Lake McDonough can be purchased online at:
https://mdcrecreational.square.site/
Boaters must also complete an online Registration Form when you purchase a season pass at:
https://mdcrecreational.square.site/forms-and-agreements
After purchasing season passes online, they can be picked up when you arrive at Lake McDonough
SINGLE DAY PASSES
Please note that single day passes must still be purchased on site at Lake McDonough. To expedite your entry to Lake McDonough, you can fill out a PDF form ahead of time and bring it with you.
You can also obtain one on site and fill out when when you arrive.
Boating Registration Form and Agreement for 2024 (PDF)
BOATING / FISHING
Fishing by boat is typically allowed from the second Saturday in April through Labor Day. Private boat, canoe and kayak launching is also allowed. Motor boat speed is limited to 10 miles per hour. There are no rental boats.
Fishing from shore is also permitted. Shore fishing is allowed from sunrise to 9:00PM.
Each spring Lake McDonough is stocked with brown trout, rainbow trout and brook trout. A wheelchair accessible fishing pier is located at the south end of Lake McDonough on Route 219, approximately two miles from the intersection of Route 44 in New Hartford Center.
BOAT LAUNCH HOURS
Saturday, April 13: 6AM – 8PM (OPENING DAY)
Sunday, April 14: 10AM-8PM
Weekends only for remainder of April: 10AM – 8PM
May 1 – September 2, Daily: 10AM – 8PM
Please check banner at the top of the MDC website for weather-related closings and openings of Lake McDonough.
BOATING FEES
Note: all fees include parking. Payment must be via credit or debit. Checks will no longer be allowed.
The cost of a one-day pass is $10 per boat for residents and $20 for non-residents. Note that two kayaks or canoes are allowed per vehicle.
There is also an option for a season pass which is $40 for residents and $100 for non-residents.
Residents are defined as someone who is a resident of the MDC’s Member Towns, Non-Member Towns or Watershed Towns: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, East Granby, Farmington, Glastonbury, South Windsor, Barkhamsted, Colebrook, Hartland and New Hartford.
FISHING AND BOATING RULES AND REGULATIONS
- A registration form must be filled out
- Boats must be out of the water by 7:30PM (half an hour before sunset)
- Everyone must have a life jacket. Children under 13 are required to wear them at all times while in boats.
- Inflatable rowboats are not permitted unless they are Coast Guard approved with oarlocks.
Prohibited activities: - Swimming in the reservoir or wading in the reservoir
- Exiting the boat at any point on the shoreline other than the boat launch area
- Littering
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fishing in restricted areas
- Fires
- Camping
- Removal of vegetation, animals, or minerals
- Vendors
- Carrying or discharge of firearms or dangerous weapons
- Operation of drones.
- No jet skis, sail boarding or stand up paddle boarding is allowed.
- No fishing off the docks.
SWIMMING
The Lake McDonough Beach and Swimming Recreation Area remains closed for 2024 due to a lack of lifeguards.