I understand there is probably, or rather likely, resentment towards NY boaters coming in and using the lake, leaving the ramp area a mess and not paying anything (although it's not only NY boaters doing that). I'm sure that was taken into consideration by those who have proposed the new fee. General observation, I've only been boating for three years, but it seems at every turn there is someone proposing a new fee/tax on boaters and fishermen. It's come to the point, if it hadn't already, that only the well off can enjoy this hobby. That said, being from NY, the land of the "fee", I'm surprised it hasn't happened a long time ago. I know that Lake George in upstate NY makes you buy a sticker for lake access. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind buying a $100 sticker for Candlewood Lake if it went towards improving the launch ramps and more lake patrols. A dock master would be nice to speed up the launching and recovery of boats, but OK I'm just wishing. However, as stated earlier, where does it end? Start with Candlewood and every other association, authority or municipality in the state will do it. One problem solved, another one created. I would pay to use Candlewood since it's the only CT lake I use, but for those of you CT residents who enjoy lake hopping for the variety of fishing/boating experiences, a lake by lake fee does not sound appealing. I think many problems could be solved right at the ramps with proper monitoring. People are less likely to cause any trouble if they know they will be under the watchful eye of the state police or DEP when they launch and recover. But again, that costs money and where does it come from? Charging out of state boaters is acceptable in my opinion. We don't pay CT taxes. But as also stated earlier, as the number of out of state boaters decreases and the revenues dry up, the difference has to be made up somewhere.

I stay in lake george for a week every yr and have to buy the sticker for the boat 25 for the week(No biggie because the place I stay have there own launch so thats not extra), but I think what they do in Maine is much better. Everyone has to buy a sticker ( called weed controll sticker or something like that) for there boats that covers all public lakes in the state. That way the money goes to there DEP and not some want to be major of the lake to pocket. If Ct imploded something like that it would generate more money to help with the upkeep as long as it stays out of the general fund!!!! Now if they go with this 50 fee for candy and others follow suite. Now your talking some big bucks to fish the lakes you like to fish that the state run. Think of it as one of those season passes they sell to enter state parks like Chatfield hollow, Lighthouse point in NH, and Hammy to name a few. One fee covers all the lakes.

Thanks for the info.. I just get alot of crap because I live on the lake and alot of people feel that us residents want a private lake, which in my case is untrue.

My sister loves Lake George. They live in Albay and belong to a glorified marina/club. Really nice up there.

This is really hard.....as a conservationist I want to see the lake taken care of! But i cant help but see the 200+ grand that the lake authority already receives in excess of what is spent on the lake!


Is there another meeting scheduled in the near future? Im sorry if that has been discussed before..I'm a little behind on this subject!

IF WE ARE GOING TO VOICE OUR FEELINGS ON THIS SUBJECT BY
CONTACTING THE DEP, IS THERE A SPECIFIC DEPT OR PERSON WE
SHOULD BE TARGETING?
HANK