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Vermont · Fishing
Vermont has 144 fishing spots in the Roamze database, ranging from small backcountry ponds to large interstate lakes, and the variety is real.
144 spots9 townsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 144 spots
Vermont has 144 fishing spots in the Roamze database, ranging from small backcountry ponds to large interstate lakes, and the variety is real. In the Northeast Kingdom you have waters like Coles Pond near Walden, Keiser Pond near Danville, and Marl Pond near Sutton — remote, quiet, and worth the drive. Head south and you find Silver Lake near Leicester, Chipman Lake near Tinmouth, and Reservoir Pond near Ludlow covering the mid-state options. Lake Memphremagog at the Newport City Boat Launch sits at 723 feet elevation on the Canadian border and holds walleye, lake trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout — one of the more species-diverse fisheries on the list. For moving water, the Battenkill River at the Arlington Access (680 ft) is rated expert-level fly fishing for brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout, and it earns that rating. Most of Vermont's listed waters are lake or pond fisheries, which makes them accessible to anglers without specialized river-reading skills. Access points vary from developed boat launches to informal shore access, so checking conditions before you go is worth the five minutes it takes.
Late May through June is consistently productive on most Vermont lake and pond fisheries once water temperatures stabilize after ice-out. Fall, particularly September and October, is a strong second window as trout and other species feed aggressively before winter. Summer midday heat pushes fish deeper in shallower ponds, so early morning and evening hours are more reliable from July through August.
Yes, anyone 15 or older needs a Vermont fishing license to fish any of these waters. You can buy one online through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website or at many local sporting goods stores and bait shops near the fishing areas. Non-resident licenses are available in both annual and short-term formats, which makes sense for a weekend trip.
Moosalamoo Campground
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Dog River - Northfield Access
~11 min drive
Easy
Mad River - Moretown Access
~26 min drive
Moderate
Winooski River - Bolton Gorge
~45 min drive
Hard
Lamson Pond
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Groton Lake - Groton State Forest
~37 min drive
Easy
Ompompanoosuc River - Union Village Dam
~34 min drive
Moderate
Twin Ponds
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Lower Orange Reservoir
~21 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Nelson Pond
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Standing Pond
~33 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Gilmore Pond
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Pier fishing
Peru, VT
Lake fishing
Goshen, VT
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Arlington, VT
brown trout, brook trout
riverWild TroutFly fishing
Bloomfield, VT
brook trout, brown trout
riverFly fishing
Cavendish, VT
brook trout, brown trout
Lake fishing
Ripton, VT
Lake fishing
Jamaica, VT
Lake fishing
Barton, VT
Lake fishing
Perry, VT
Lake fishing
Hubbardton, VT
Lake fishing
Brighton, VT
Lake fishing
Johnson, VT
Lake fishing
East Thetford, VT
Lake fishing
Highgate, VT
Lake fishing
West Haven, VT
Lake fishing
Hubbardton, VT
Lake fishing
Calais, VT
Lake fishing
Springfield, VT
Lake fishing
East Arlington, VT
Lake fishing
Brandon, VT
Lake fishing
Tinmouth, VT
Lake fishing
Glover, VT
Lake fishing
Newport, VT
riverRiver fishing
Newport, VT
walleye, northern pike
Lake fishing
Newport, VT
Lake fishing
Groton, VT
Lake fishing
WALDEN, VT
riverFly fishing
Canaan, VT
brown trout, rainbow trout
Lake fishing
Shrewsbury, VT
Lake Memphremagog near Newport is one of the few spots in the database with confirmed species data, holding walleye, lake trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. The Battenkill River at Arlington lists brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout. Many of the smaller ponds across the state hold warm-water species like bass and perch alongside stocked trout, but species data isn't listed for most individual ponds, so checking with Vermont Fish and Wildlife or a local bait shop before your trip will give you the most accurate picture.
No. The Battenkill at the Arlington Access is rated expert difficulty, and that reflects both the technical casting required and the fish themselves, which are pressured and selective. Beginners will find Vermont's lake and pond options much more forgiving for getting started. If fly fishing is the goal, building skills on smaller, less pressured waters first is the practical approach.
Not necessarily. Many of the smaller ponds on the list, including spots like Standing Pond near Sharon, Lily Pond near Poultney, and Tiny Pond near Mount Holly, are accessible from shore or suitable for a canoe or kayak. Lake Memphremagog near Newport has a dedicated boat launch, which suggests it's better suited to motorized or larger watercraft. Access details vary by location, so confirming the specific put-in or shore access point before you go will save you a wasted trip.
