Get your Putnamville Fishing Permit Today!
Fishing in the Putnamville Reservoir is not allowed without a fishing permit from the State of Massachusetts and a second fishing permit from the Board.
In order to obtain a permit, please call our office (M-F 9:00am-4:30pm), and be prepared to visit for an appointment with your current Massachusetts State Fishing Permit, Photo ID, and vehicle information. Please note that this permit only allows you to fish for one (1) calendar year from the dry shore on the East and South Dam Areas (See map below) and does not permit ice fishing, boating, or swimming in the reservoir. All other areas around the reservoir are not to be trespassed for any purpose.
See full list of regulations below
The full list of restrictions on the Putnamville Reservoir are outlined here:
1. All acts that pollute, corrupt, defile, or compromise the water supply or cause injury to the property or waters of the Board are prohibited and subject to fines and imprisonment as set by federal and or state law.
2. No human excrement shall be deposited or discharged into the water or upon the ground at any place from which such excrement may flow or be washed or carried into Putnamville Reservoir or any stream, ditch, or water course tributary thereto.
3. No person shall tamper with or damage any gate, barrier, or lock, or deface or defile anysigns, trees or other property of the Board.
4. No person shall bathe, wade, or swim in Putnamville Reservoir and no person shall skate on or fish through the ice of said reservoir.
5. Dogs and or any other domestic animals are not allowed in the water at the Putnamville Reservoir.
6. Building fires, camping, hunting of any kind, gathering, farming, landscaping, shooting of guns/ bows/ archery/ fireworks/ cannons, flying of drones over the reservoir, and trapping on the Property are prohibited.
7. No person shall drink or have in their possession alcoholic beverages or drugs of any nature while on the Property.
8. All cans, bottles, excess bait/fishing materials, rubbish and refuse of any nature shall be removed from the Property.
9. Fishing shall be prohibited except by written permit issued by the Board. Permits will only be issued to persons duly licensed to fish in Massachusetts. Persons holding a permit to fish may fish from the shores of the Putnamville Reservoir except at such places posted as “closed to fishing” areas. Persons under sixteen years of age may fish only from shore if accompanied by an adult with a valid fishing license and a written permit issued by the Board.
10. Seaplanes and boats, including, but not limited to sailboats, sail boards, inboard or outboard motorboats, electric trolling motorboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, collapsible boats, or other similar watercraft are not permitted on Putnamville Reservoir. These devices may be a risk to the natural life and long-term water quality of the water supply, as invasive species or other contamination may enter the waters of the reservoir.
11. No motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed on the lands of the Board.
12. No person shall refuse or neglect to obey any reasonable request made or order given by officers or employees of the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board, Massachusetts Environmental Police, or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection or other related authority whose duty it is to enforce rules and regulations for the protection of the water supply or the fish and game laws of Massachusetts.
13. Lands of the Board are not to be used as routes or trails of access for the unauthorized trespass upon the lands of the Board and the abutters to the reservoir.
14. The Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board and its employees are not responsible for any damage to, or loss of property sustained by persons availing themselves of these privileges or for any injury or loss of life which may be incurred in connection with the exercise of privileges hereby granted.
Please see our Property Notice for further information.