Beach Pond
🎣 A Lake That Belongs to Two States — Where Rhode Island and Connecticut Share 400 Acres of Water — Beach Pond on the Rhode Island–Connecticut border, 400-acre natural lake straddling Exeter RI and Voluntown CT, Arcadia Management Area (RI) and Pachaug State Forest (CT), fishing for bass walleye trout and pickerel, boating from two state launches, surrounded by thousands of acres of state forest, border lake — Exeter RI / Voluntown CT
Beach Pond sits exactly on the line. Half the lake is in Rhode Island. Half is in Connecticut. You can cast from one state and hook a fish in another. Two state agencies manage it. Two sets of boat launches serve it. And the forest that surrounds it — Arcadia Management Area on the Rhode Island side, Pachaug State Forest on the Connecticut side — adds up to tens of thousands of acres of unbroken woodland around a 400-acre lake.
It’s one of the most unusual state park situations in New England — a shared resource between two states that somehow works. Fish with a license from either state. Launch from either shore. Paddle across the invisible line as many times as you want.
What to Do
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Fishing | Largemouth and smallmouth bass, pickerel, perch, catfish, and walleye (stocked by CT). Brown and rainbow trout (stocked by RI). A valid fishing license from either state covers the entire pond |
| Boating | Two public boat launches — one on each side of the state line. Rhode Island ramp off Route 165. Connecticut ramp on North Shore Road. Both have concrete ramps |
| Paddling | Kayaking and canoeing on 400 acres of clean, forested lake. Paddle across the state line. No swimming allowed, but the paddling is excellent |
| Hiking | Trails into both Arcadia Management Area (RI side) and Pachaug State Forest (CT side). Miles of forest trails through the surrounding state lands |
| Wildlife | The forested shores host deer, turkey, beaver, and black bear. Bald eagles fish the lake. Loons and waterfowl during migration |
The Two-State Setup
| State | What They Manage |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | Southern and eastern shore. Boat launch off Route 165 in Exeter. Part of Arcadia Management Area (14,000 acres). RI DEM stocks trout. Former swimming beach (closed 2008) |
| Connecticut | Northern and western shore. Boat launch on North Shore Road in Voluntown. Part of Pachaug State Forest (27,000 acres). CT DEEP stocks walleye. Popular with Connecticut anglers |
| Both States | A fishing license from either state is valid on the entire lake. The state line runs roughly through the middle. No border enforcement on the water |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | 🌸 Trout stocking. Bass spawning. Quiet water before summer. Wildflowers in the surrounding forest |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 🍂 Fall foliage reflected in the lake. Bass and walleye active. Fewer boats. Best paddling weather |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Peak boating season. Parking fills fast on weekends (especially CT side). No swimming allowed. Fishing best at dawn and dusk |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice fishing when conditions allow (check ice thickness). Quiet. Eagle watching. Cross-country skiing in the surrounding forest |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim?
No — swimming is not permitted. The former state beach was closed in 2008. Beach Pond is now designated for boating and fishing only.
Which state’s fishing license do I need?
Either one works for the entire lake. A Rhode Island fishing license or a Connecticut fishing license is valid anywhere on Beach Pond, regardless of which side of the state line you’re fishing.
🎣 One Lake. Two States. Zero Border Guards.
Cast from Rhode Island. Hook a fish in Connecticut. 400 acres of clean water surrounded by 40,000 acres of state forest. The most peaceful border crossing in New England.
