Roseland Lake is a small lake in the Town of Woodstock, in the "Quiet Corner" of northeastern Connecticut. Woodstock is the second largest town (area-wise) in Connecticut. (The largest is New Milford.) Roseland Lake is in the part of town known as "South Woodstock," to the north and east of Route 169.
Public access to Roseland Lake is courtesy of Roseland Park. The park is about 1.3 miles from Woodstock Fairgrounds, at 205 Roseland Park Road, on the western side of the lake. Roseland Park is open from sunrise to sunset (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.) No entrance fee is charged.
Some facts about Roseland Lake:
ALSO SEE:
Although the Town of Putnam has a permit to draw drinking water from Roseland Lake, "The lake is not managed as a reservoir for the Putnam WPCA and is used recreationally for boating, fishing and formerly for swimming." [Little River Sourcewater Protection Plan, 2006]
Please help keep Roseland Lake free of invasive aquatic species. Before launching boats, clean, drain and dry/disinfect. Inspect all equipment that gets wet, remove any hitchhiking aquatic plants or animals, and drain all water. If you don't have time to let it thoroughly dry out, disinfect with bleach. Anglers need to dispose of unwanted bait in the trash - NOT in the lake. Visitors should NEVER dispose of aquarium plants/animals in the lake.
Picnicking and Playground: Roseland Park has picnic tables, a shaded playground with a slide and jungle gym, and a basketball court.
Boating: There is an unimproved dirt launch for small boasts at Roseland Park. Kayaks, canoes, sail boats, electric motor boats. Human or electric-powered boats are much preferred to maintain the serene nature of the lake, although power boats are not prohibited. (Power boats should be less than 9 horsepower, and operate under 25 mph.) The lake is not suitable for jet-skiing. Boaters must take care to avoid introducing invasive aquatic species. Standard State of CT boating regulations apply. See the CT Boater's Guide.
Roseland Lake is nice for kayaking. Kayakers and canoers can enter or exit from the Roseland Park boat ramp.
When the water is high enough, kayakers or canoers can enter or exit from a car top boat ramp with a short portage from Senexet Village Road. See the Little River Water Trail Map. Caution: Take out, or paddle upstream only from - the unmarked Sherpherds Pond dam is downstream.
Fishing: According to the CT Angler's Guide, common species include Largemouth Bass, Common Carp, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, Calico Bass, Sunfish, Trout, and Brown Bullhead. State of CT fishing regulations apply. Access is courtesy of Roseland Park. Read more about fish and fishing at Roseland Lake.
Ice fishing for pan fish is popular. The lake generally freezes solid (an exception being the winter of 2012-2013.)
Ice Skating: When the lake is frozen solid, it is suitable for skating, but once it snows, it's pretty bumpy.
Swimming: Roseland Lake water quality is considered impaired. The lake has not been a State Designated Swimming Area for decades. E. Coli and cyanobacteria may be present at certain times of year. Roseland Park is also near the surface drinking water supply intake, although it is not within 2 miles of the diversion at Peake Brook Road. Public lakes in Woodstock where swimming is allowed include Muddy Pond and Crystal Pond.
Camping: No camping is permitted.