Squantz Pond State Park

Boating is the best way to explore Squantz Pond beyond the park’s reaches. Feed your need for speed at one of the state’s popular motorboating launches, leisurely paddle through the calm, flat water in your kayak, or namaste the day away with an impromptu SUP yoga practice. However you enjoy, soak in the backdrop of virgin forest, immaculate luxury homes, and blue sky.

To reach the trailered and car top boat launch: Take Route 39/Shortwoods Road through the park and look for the boat launch on the left-hand side just before crossing the bridge.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Motors limited to 25 horsepower. 45 mph daytime limit, 25 mph limit from 0.5 hour after sunset to 0.5 hour before sunrise.

• Motorboating in Connecticut
• Paddling in Connecticut 
• Connecticut Boaters Guide
• Connecticut Water Trails

Fishing is one of, if not the most, popular activity at Squantz Pond — and for good reason. The pond’s cool, clean, oxygen-rich waters and silty depths naturally sustain a bounty of fish. And it doesn’t hurt that DEEP regularly stocks the 270-acre pond with different trout species and walleye. Even trophy-size common carp — not to be confused with the high-jumping Silver and Asian carp common in midwest rivers — are known to hang out in the pond’s waters. Whether you cast a line from the shoreline, the fishing platform, or troll along in your canoe, you have a decent shot at hooking the elusive, lightning-fast fish or another prized catch.

Types of fish: Walleye, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel, common carp

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Before heading out, be sure to check the latest conditions and fishing regulations. No fishing behind the fence from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

• Licenses and permits, current regulations, and more 
• Connecticut is Fishy Interactive fishing application 
• Freshwater Fishing in Connecticut’s State Parks

Head out onto Squantz Pond’s three trails to trek through the rugged wilds, gurgling streams, steep, wooded slopes, and rock formations, and for sweeping views of the pond. Stretch your legs a bit further and venture into adjacent Pootatuck State Forest on the network of trails that connect the two parks.

All trails are non-motorized multi-use.

Squantz Pond Trail (White, Red, Purple Blazes) 

• 2.2-mile loop with pond views 
• Level of difficulty: Moderate 
• Starting near the picnic area, the White Trail follows the edge of the of pond’s western shoreline, passing over some streams and some inclines to a rock outcrop, offering a breathtaking, unobstructed view of the water. Shortly after, keep your eyes peeled for junction with the Red Trail, which runs parallel to the White Trail and will bring you past Council Rock, the massive boulder where the Schaghticoke Tribe gathered, and over some rock scrambles. Follow the Red Trail until it connects with the Purple Trail, which will return you to the White Trail and the trailhead.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Trail Map 

Spend a sunny summer day wading in the cool, crystal waters of Squantz Pond, adjacent to sprawling Candlewood Lake. The “pond” isn’t even really a pond, it’s a lake and one of Connecticut’s finest natural lakes. 

Accessible Swimming/Beach Surf Chairs: Available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Current Water Quality Report (updated weekly, Memorial Day – Labor Day)

• Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information