Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Additional Resources for Paddlers

(Disclaimer: The following information is for reference only.  It is not a comprehensive listing.
By providing this list, CTDEEP does not recommend one organization/outfitter over another.)
 
Boating Safety and/or Navigation Courses
Books for Paddlers
  • Johnson, Shelley. The Complete Sea Kayaker’s Handbook. Camden, ME: Ragged Mountain Press, 2002.
  • Hutchinson, Derek C. The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking. 4th ed. Old Saybrook, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 1994.
  • Schumann, Roger, and Jan Shriner. Sea Kayak Rescue: The Definitive Guide to Modern Reentry and Recovery Techniques. Guilford, CT: The Globe Pequot Press, 2001.
  • First Roll: Eskimo Roll for Sea Kayakers. Teach Yourself the Eskimo Roll. Feathered and Non-Feathered Paddles and Greenland Style. Outer Island Kayak, Branford, CT (video by Jay Babina)
  • The Kayak Roll. Learn, Tune, Teach, the Kayak Roll! Durango, CO: Performance Video and Instruction, Inc. 2002 (video by Kent Ford)
  • Gullion, Laurie. Canoeing. Outdoor Pursuits Series, Human Kinetics,1994.
  • The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Boater’s Guide
  • Farmington River Watershed Association, Inc. The Farmington River Guide.1970. Rev.1999.
  • Jacobs, Robert P., and Eileen B. O’Donnell. A Fisheries Guide to Lakes and Ponds of Connecticut including the Connecticut River and its Coves. DEP Bulletin 35. Hartford, CT: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2002.
  • Burch, David. Fundamentals of Kayak Navigation. 3rd ed. Guilford, CT: The Globe Pequot Press, 1999.
Paddling Clubs/Organizations
Outfitters
Videos
Content last updated December 2019