Otis Reservoir

Otis Reservoir is a 1085acre reservoir located primarily in Otis, Massachusetts. Small portions are also in Tolland, MA, and Blandford, MA. The lake is popular for boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, snowmobiling, camping, and water-related recreation. Fish include bass, white perch, yellow perch, tiger muskies, catfish, and bluegills. The reservoir is stocked with trout by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.The current lake was formed from the flooding of three ponds, Rand, Little and Msssenger Ponds in 1865, by a dam across the Fall River, a tributary of the Farmington River created by the Farmington River Power Company. It was used for water storage, ensuring a steady supply of water power for mills along the Farmington River. In the early part of the twentieth century, the rise of the automobile led to the development of many seasonal cottages along the lake shore. Building took place along most of the lake shore and on many inland lots. These cottages were fairly inexpensive, being purchased by middle-class people: bankers, barbers, tradesmen, construction contractors, and others.