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Vermont · Fishing
Groton, Vermont sits in the middle of Groton State Forest, and the fishing here is built around a cluster of ponds and small lakes tucked into the hills.
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Groton, Vermont sits in the middle of Groton State Forest, and the fishing here is built around a cluster of ponds and small lakes tucked into the hills. Groton Lake is the most accessible starting point, sitting at 1,076 feet and offering a mix of rainbow trout, brook trout, and largemouth bass in a single body of water — which makes it a practical choice whether you're chasing cold-water species early in the season or flipping for bass in summer. Mud Pond, Coburn Pond, and Levi Pond round out the options, and each draws a different crowd depending on what you're after and how far you're willing to walk. None of these are big-water destinations, so you're not looking at a boat-heavy scene — a canoe, kayak, or fishing from shore will serve you well on most of them. The forest setting keeps pressure lower than you'd find on more publicized Vermont waters, and the road and trail network through Groton State Forest makes it reasonable to hit more than one pond in a day if conditions on the first aren't cooperating.
Groton Lake holds rainbow trout, brook trout, and largemouth bass. Trout fishing tends to be most productive in spring and early fall when water temperatures are cooler, while bass fishing picks up through the summer months.
Yes, a valid Vermont fishing license is required for anyone 15 and older. You can purchase one through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department website or at local license agents before your trip. Check current regulations for any pond-specific rules, as some waters in the state forest may have special restrictions on gear or catch limits.
Levi Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Groton Lake - Groton State Forest
~7 min drive
Easy
Ompompanoosuc River - Union Village Dam
~46 min drive
Moderate
Mud Pond
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Ammonoosuc River - Lisbon Access
~25 min drive
Easy
Mad River - Moretown Access
~48 min drive
Moderate
Osmore Pond
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Dog River - Northfield Access
~41 min drive
Easy
Coburn Pond
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Kettle Pond
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Norwich Reservoir
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Turtlehead Pond
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Early morning and the last couple hours before sunset are generally the most productive windows on smaller Vermont ponds like these. Bass tend to move into shallower water during those low-light periods, and trout are more active when surface temperatures are cooler.
A medium-light spinning setup covers most situations across these ponds. For trout, small spinners, worms, and PowerBait work consistently; for largemouth bass at Groton Lake, soft plastics and topwater lures are worth having. A canoe or kayak opens up more of the water, but shore fishing is rated easy at Groton Lake, so you don't need a boat to have a productive day.
They're worth exploring, especially if Groton Lake is busy or you want a quieter experience. Smaller ponds in the state forest often see less pressure and can fish well for brook trout in particular. Access varies by pond, so check the Groton State Forest trail map before heading out to confirm parking and walk-in distances.
