Moodus Reservoir Lake Harvester Program

Moodus Reservoir Lake Harvester Program

 The life cycle of Connecticut Lakes over future centuries is to evolve into swamps and bogs. Moodus Reservoir is in that cycle with increasing encroachment by native and invasive aquatic plants. The Moodus Reservoir Preservation Group (MRPG), a 501c(3) non profit charity, is dedicated to preserving the lake for continuing enjoyment of our the town beach, fishing and boating.

Several studies by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) have kept track of the growth  it these plants. Numerous methods of control have been studied by MRPG and, with town and environmental group support, MRPG conducted a herbicide pilot study. Based on independent evaluation of the pilot study, herbicide treatment is not an effective control method for further treatment. “Raking” methods presently in use by private contractors and individual property owners can result in plant fragments escaping and re-rooting in other parts of the lake, increasing the problem.

The most affordable and effective control method is “harvesting”, via a machine that pulls up the aquatic plants, trapping them and depositing them on land. An affordable and environmental enhancing method of disposal is available. The harvester machine will cost approximately sixty thousand dollars ($60,000). A volunteer is already available to operate the harvester. Raising the funds will require support of the community as well as outside grants and special events. This will improve the lake for use by all and extend its life for future generations.

The 2017 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, August 6, 10 AM at the Moodus Sportsmen‘s Club, East Haddam/Colchester Tnpk. Future plans and fund raising will be discussed. Greg Bugbee of the CAES will review past studies. All East Haddam residents are welcome to attend. New members may join and current members may pay $25 annual dues anytime via our website, as well as at the meeting. All dues and donations are tax deductible.

For more information email us at Moodus.Reservoir@gmail.com, visit our website at www.moodusreservoir.org and see us on FaceBook. Surveys of Moodus Reservoir by CAES may be viewed at www.ct.gov/caes. Click on “Invasive Aquatic Plant Program”, go to Moodus Reservoir. Trailer a boating vessel? Visit http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/boating/boating_guide/part6.pdf.

Annual Shad Bake ~ on Sunday, June 11th, 2017

Quite possible the longest continuously operated Planked Shad Bake in Connecticut, the Moodus Sportsmen's Club Annual Shad Bake will be held this year ~ rain or shine ~ on Sunday, June 11th, 2017

PLEASE NOTE This is an earlier date than in past years!

WHAT TIME DOES IT START? Festivities begin at noon . . . although the tickets say "serving until 2 p.m." we'll be there until the food is gone.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT WE ARE HAVING TO EAT. Planked and filleted (that's right, we have already taken care of the bones) shad dinners are a prized culinary treat. The technique - believed to have originated with native tribes - is where shad is nailed to large boards and baked in front of a pit of hot coals, and it is a long held New England tradition.
But there will be plenty of other great things including chowder, venison chili, a variety of cold salads, chicken, hot dogs, watermelon and more. You won't be going away hungry.

Food allergies? Let us know before we serve you.

WHAT ELSE? Stay and play horseshoes, meet up with old friends; get acquainted with new folks in town; enjoy the atmosphere and the view.

WHERE DO I GET TICKETS? For tickets, see any MSC member, stop by the Moodus Package Store, or email the site maintainer for more details.

Advance tickets: Adults $20; over 65 $15; under 5 - $6
Day of event: Adults $25; over 65 $20; under 5 $8 ~ a bargain at the price!

PARKING: Handicapped parking is available by the pavilion. Come early to park. Come early because parking can get hectic. Please follow instructions from the parking lot team! Trucks park down by the target range and fish pond. Overflow parking is at the town beach, as well as along the Old East Haddam-Colchester Turnpike east of the club

Children's Fishing Derby - May 7th 2017

Our stocked trout pond opens at 8:00 a.m.
Admission is free!

Enjoy getting outdoors!           2 TROUT LIMIT


All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
After the morning's adventure, everyone's invited to one of our famous lunches.


Great chance to learn about fishing in our fully stocked trout pond.
 
8 a.m. to noon


FOR KIDS AGES 12 & UNDER


Event is free and open to the public but all children must be accompanied by an adult. After the event lunch is served by all at the Club's main building.

HOT-DOGS AND SODA

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The Moodus Sportsmen's Club is located on 299 East Haddam Colchester Turnpike next to the East Haddam Town Beach on Moodus Reservoir.  

Directions to MSC - type in your address and Moodus Sportsmen's Club once the map opens

East Haddam Town Wide Clean Up - Saturday April 1st

UPDATE: TOWN WIDE CLEAN UP - SATURDAY - CANCELLED - 

BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR

 It might be April First but we're not kidding!

The Moodus Sportsmen’s Club, and the East Haddam Scout Troops are sponsoring the Annual Town Wide Clean Up Day to be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017.

Time once more to get together to pick up the streets, lakes, streams, and other public access areas in the Town of East Haddam. Everyone can take part: organizations, individuals, families and groups to pick up sections of the streets in which they live on. There may be a favorite section of town that you or your group would like to take over the stewardship, or you and your neighbors adopt a street?
 
This has been an on-going event for at least twenty years. Tons of trash has been picked up over the years keeping our town clean. We picked the beginning of the month versus the traditional end of the month for Earth Day to avoid the growth of poison ivy along the streets and stone walls.

History: Our first major project was the removal of cars, tires, and trash from Babcock Wildlife Management Area in the 1990’s. Removal of the trash and debris keeps the Town safer for the wildlife and our pets and retains the scenic quality we all desire.

We plan to start the pickup at 8:00 a.m. If you wish to join our groups, meets us at the East Haddam Town Hall on Town Street at 8:00 a.m. to pick up garbage bags or start from your own street. Please wear bright colors – hunter’s orange works – and bring work gloves. Materials can be brought directly to the transfer station.
 
At the end, we extend our invitation to all to a picnic at the Moodus Sportsmen’s Club starting at noon and ending at 2 pm.

Traditional picnic items such as hot-dogs, baked beans, coffee and iced tea and lemonade will be served along with the seasonal bounty only a sportsmen’s club could serve.

We can inventory the items collected and discuss solutions to reduce these problems. We also will have educational information about the Town’s natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities that are available to all.

February Game Dinner - Saturday February 25th - 6 to 10 pm

Getting Things Ready

Some seats opened up today! contact us if you can come. $40 price fixe for one of the finest gourmet game dinners in New England - moodussportsman@gmail.com

Connecticut Legislative notes

 Don't be a target, be ON target

info on upcoming bills from the

Nutmeg State Council of Sportsmen 

These are the bills the Council supports and opposes as of 28 January 2017. We all need to pitch in to protect and expand our outdoor heritage! Please help by calling and writing your legislators (State Senators) (State Representatives) and the Environment Committee.

The Nutmeg Council will be at the Capitol working with the Sportsmen's Caucus and friendly Legislators to fight for the rights of hunters, trappers and fishing enthusiasts.

Bills NSCS supports:

S.B. 509: A bill to establish a dove hunting season.

S.B. 522: A bill to allow a bear hunting season with similar restrictions to the hunting of deer and accompanying regulations that establish annual taking limits.

S.B. 524: A bill to establish a lifetime hunting and fishing license and for fees from the license to be deposited into a non-lapsing account to fund fishing and hunting activities sin the the state.

H.B. 5495: A bill to waive hunting license fees for bow & arrow hunters who are over 65 years of age.

H.B. 5499: A bill to allow Sunday hunting with firearms on private land.

H.B. 5855: A bill to allow handguns to be carried in state parks.

H.B. 6336: A bill to allow the use of suppressed rifles for hunting.

Bills NSCS opposes:

S.B. 284: Cecil's Law: a bill to outlaw the import of trophy mounts from overseas.

S.B. 5615: A bill to allow municipalities to ban trapping. 

The goal of the Nutmeg State Council of Sportsmen is to organize all Connecticut Sportsmen into a group that will effectively expand and protect our Hunting Heritage. If you want to learn more about the Nutmeg Council or have questions, please visit them at: www.facebook.com/CTSportsmen