Loading trail…
Vermont · Fishing
Newbury sits in the Connecticut River Valley in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and while it's not a destination that shows up on most fishing shortlists, it has a quiet collection of small ponds worth knowing about.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 3 spots
No additional spots match this filter.
Newbury sits in the Connecticut River Valley in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and while it's not a destination that shows up on most fishing shortlists, it has a quiet collection of small ponds worth knowing about. The three fishable waters here — Round Pond, Long Pond, and The Fish Pond — are all lake or pond fisheries, which means you're looking at warmwater and coldwater species typical of Vermont's smaller impoundments: bass, perch, pickerel, and in stocked ponds, trout. None of these are large bodies of water, so crowds are rarely a factor, and access tends to be straightforward. This is the kind of fishing that suits someone who wants a low-key morning on the water without a long drive to a more famous lake. If you're staying in the area or passing through the Upper Connecticut River Valley, any of these three ponds can fill a half-day well. Just come with realistic expectations: these are small, local waters, not trophy destinations, and that's exactly what makes them worth visiting on the right kind of trip.
All three are classified as lake fisheries, so you're most likely targeting species common to Vermont's small ponds: largemouth bass, yellow perch, chain pickerel, and possibly stocked trout depending on the season. Vermont Fish and Wildlife stocks a number of small ponds across the state, so it's worth checking their current stocking list before your trip to see which of these waters received fish recently.
Yes. Anyone 15 or older needs a valid Vermont fishing license to fish any of these waters. Licenses are available through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department online or at local license agents. Non-resident licenses are available by the day, three days, or full season.
Round Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Groton Lake - Groton State Forest
~20 min drive
Easy
Ompompanoosuc River - Union Village Dam
~30 min drive
Moderate
Long Pond
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Ammonoosuc River - Lisbon Access
~23 min drive
Easy
Harriman Pond
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Pemigewasset River - North Woodstock
~39 min drive
Easy
The Fish Pond
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Dog River - Northfield Access
~45 min drive
Easy
Norwich Reservoir
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
Upper Mountain Lake
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near NH.
Coburn Pond
~18 min drive
A worthwhile stop near VT.
A light to medium spinning setup covers most situations on small Vermont ponds. For bass and pickerel, soft plastics, small spinnerbaits, and surface lures work well in warmer months. If trout are present, small spinners or a simple bobber-and-worm rig will do the job. These aren't technical fisheries, so you don't need specialized equipment.
Spring and early summer are generally the most productive seasons on Vermont's small ponds. Bass move shallow to spawn in May and June, making them easier to target, and any stocked trout will be most active before water temperatures climb in midsummer. Fall is also solid for bass and pickerel as fish feed up before winter.
Early morning is consistently the most productive window on small ponds, especially in summer when midday water temperatures push fish deeper or into shade. The first two hours after sunrise and the hour before sunset tend to see the most surface activity. In spring and fall, fish are more active throughout the day and the timing matters less.
