Vermont Fishing Seasons: The Ultimate Guide for 2025 Reading Time: 9 minutes

Huge moose sightings, drizzles of maple syrup covering everything, and some of the best fishing in New England… Welcome to the Green Mountain State. It may be small, but it packs a serious punch when it comes to angling. No matter what, Vermont has a fishing season – and a spot – for you. From drifting across Lake Champlain at sunrise to wading into a misty mountain stream with Trout on your mind…

Colorful autumn trees frame a lake with distant mountains and a small cluster of buildings visible near the shoreline under a hazy sky in Vermont.

Wondering when to visit? That’s where we come in. Our month-by-month guide breaks down the best times to fish in Vermont, from summer Bass bonanzas to chilly winter ice fishing sessions. Each season brings something new to hook into! Grab your tackle box, throw on your flannel for that local look, and let’s check out exactly when you should cast your line…

What fish are in season in Vermont and when?

Fishing in Vermont is a year-round adventure. Spring kicks things off with hungry Trout in rivers and brooks, while summer sees Bass and Panfish heating things up in lakes across the state. Come fall, Salmon start making moves. And winter? That’s when the ice fishing crowd drills down for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. What’s in season depends on when and where you cast your line, but rest assured, there’s always something swimming your way.

Vermont Fishing Seasons

Local guides are always happy to share what’s biting right now, but if you’re just starting to look into your Vermont trip, our cheat sheet is a great place to begin. Take a peek, pick your fish, and get ready to plan your next adventure!

Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Rainbow Trout Fair Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair
Brown Trout Fair Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair
Brook Trout Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Lake Trout Great Great Great Good Fair Weak Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great
Largemouth Bass Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Smallmouth Bass Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Walleye Fair Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Fair
Northern Pike Good Good Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Great Good Good
Salmon Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Yellow Perch Fair Fair Good Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Fair
Chain Pickerel Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Black Crappie Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak
Bluegill Weak Weak Fair Good Great Great Great Great Great Good Fair Weak

Want the full scoop on what’s biting year-round? Pick your chosen month below, and we’ll break down the best species to target, prime fishing spots, and handy tips to reel ’em in:

January

A person wearing a fur hat and gloves is holding a large Lake Trout on a frozen, snow-covered surface in Vermont.
Photo courtesy of Fine Line Fishing Adventures

Happy to brave the chill? January in Vermont is made for anglers like you! Ice fishing takes center stage on frozen bodies of water like Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog. Patient anglers dropping lines through the ice will be rewarded in kind with hefty Lake Trout and sneaky Landlocked Salmon. The stillness of a chilly winter morning, crisp Vermont air, and the chance to catch something big make a January trip an adventure quite unlike any other.

Prefer to stay on open water? Some streams and rivers keep their cold runs alive with tough Brook and Brown Trout waiting under the icy edges. Layer up (get that flannel on!), pack your gear, and prepare for a true winter fishing experience that only Vermont can deliver.

February

Three men stand on a dock by the water, each holding several large Salmon they've caught. Trees and buildings are visible in the background under a cloudy sky. T
Photo courtesy of Vermont Fishing Adventures LLC

February keeps the winter fishing fire burning strong across Vermont. Yes, we’re mixing our metaphors here, but nothing describes February fishing quite as well as “fiery!” Thick ice blankets popular spots like Lake St. Catherine and Arrowhead Lake, turning them into playgrounds for anglers chasing feisty Lake Trout and Salmon. It’s a time when patience truly pays off, as quiet moments by your ice hole will likely lead to thrilling pulls on your line.

For those who want to follow flowing water, some of Vermont’s coldwater streams still offer opportunities to hook resilient Brook and Brown Trout along thawed stretches. Our advice? Don’t let the frost keep you inside. You won’t want to miss fishing in February! It’s the perfect time to sharpen your skills and embrace the peaceful solitude of Vermont’s wintery waters.

March

A view towards a man and his child, seen as silhouettes against the background of a lake and the sunset next to a calm body of water in Vermont

We’ve talked a lot about Vermont’s frozen waters so far, but March marks the beginning of the slow thaw. Ice still clings to many lakes, but pockets of open water start to appear. If there’s ever a moment for early risers to chase hungry Trout and Salmon, it’s now. Lakes like Bomoseen and Lake Champlain start teasing exciting opportunities with early bites from Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Meanwhile, the rivers begin to wake up, and the last of the winter’s Brook and Brown Trout are ready to chomp on nimble flies and lures. This truly is a season of transition. Your layers should stay firmly on, but the thrill of a springtime bite on your line is definitely worth the chill!

April

Two men are standing on a boat, each holding a large Lake Trout. Fishing gear is scattered around their feet, and they're surrounded by calm water stretching into the distance. The sky above is partly cloudy, adding depth to the scene.
Photo courtesy of Vermont Fishing Adventures LLC

This month kicks off Vermont’s open-water season with a breath of fresh (albeit chilly) air. Icy water surfaces are mostly just a memory, and rivers swell with snowmelt. What does this mean? The fish are shaking off the winter blues! This is prime time for chasing Trout, especially Rainbows and Browns, as they start feeding in earnest.

Fly anglers love this time of year for the early hatches and feisty takes, especially on smaller mountain streams, while the lakes are waking up, too. Try trolling for Salmon and Lake Trout in the cold shallows for something different. The weather might be unpredictable, but the fishing is full of promise.

May

A young woman standing on a boat, holding a Smallmouth Bass with both hands and smiling. In the background, you can see a lake and a marina, reflecting the summer fishing season in Vermont.
Photo courtesy of Reel Vermont Guide Service

May is when things really come alive in Vermont’s waters. Rivers run clearer, bugs start hatching, and the fish get even more aggressive, which is great news for anglers looking for a fight. It’s one of the best months to be on the move, whether you’re fly fishing for Brookies in cool forest streams or trolling deeper lakes for jumbo Lake Trout and Salmon.

Bass species start to stir as the shallows warm up, too, while Panfish like Crappie and Bluegill also show up in force. These fish are great fun for beginners, families, and those of you looking to fill the cooler with table fare! Longer days, crisp mornings, and the promise of bites at the end of your line mean one thing… May is the perfect kick-off to Vermont’s spring fishing season.

June

Two people are on a boat holding a large Lake Trout, with a lake and trees in the background. The person on the right is wearing sunglasses and holding the fish.
Photo courtesy of Fine Line Fishing Adventures

Fishing in June is a buffet of opportunities, with warm-water species like Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass being the stars of the show. They’ll cruise the shallows and strike topwater lures with aggression that’ll really get your heart pounding. Panfish action is steady and fun, too, making this a great month for families, newbies, or hungry anglers to get hooked in.

Up in the hills, the streams are still cool enough for active Trout, especially in the early morning’s shaded stretches. And on bigger waters like Lake Champlain, you’ll find everything from Walleye to Northern Pike getting into their summer groove. Whether you’re casting from shore, wading the waters, or out on a boat, this is definitely one of the most rewarding Vermont fishing seasons.

July

A man on a boat holds a large Bass with one hand, while standing on a lake under a clear blue sky, showing summer fishing in Vermont.
Photo courtesy of Reel Vermont Guide Service

Bass are smashing surface lures before breakfast come July – welcome to midsummer madness! These fish are biting early and late, especially on surface lures that make for exciting topwater action. Weed beds, docks, and shaded coves become hotspots for both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, while toothy Northern Pike lurk nearby, waiting to ambush your line.

Trout fishing shifts to Vermont’s cooler, highly-elevated streams and spring-fed creeks. Here, fly anglers will still find eager Brookies and Browns to target. Panfish are plentiful and active in the lakes, too. Why not bring the kids along or simply kick back for hours with a bobber setup? Chances are you’ll leave with plenty to fill the pan. It’s time to chase those long summer evenings on the water, as well as the fish on offer!

August

A view from behind of a person riding a bicycle on a paved path beside a body of water in Vermont with sailboats visible, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

This is peak summer in Vermont, and the fishing scene is in full swing. Bass are still crushing lures in the early morning and late evening, especially around lily pads and drop-offs. Aggressive Pike stay active around weed lines, and Walleye begin to shift towards deeper waters as the surface warms up.

Trout fishing takes a more strategic turn this month. Head for cold mountain streams or shaded rivers where water temperatures stay low to make the most of it. That way, you’ll encounter a full lineup of feisty fish. Set your alarm, grab your rod, and get out before the sun’s too high – August fishing rewards the early riser.

September

A man in a jacket and cap holding a large Salmon in front of a lake in Vermont. There are fishing rods set up along the water's edge, and trees surround the area, creating a peaceful, outdoor setting.
Photo courtesy of Fine Line Fishing Adventures

September might just be the “fan favorite” month for local anglers in Vermont. Cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and eager biters are feeding greedily! Bass and Pike stay active in lakes and ponds, especially as the water starts to chill and the days grow shorter. This is the prime time to hook into a potential trophy before these fish migrate to deeper waters. 

Rivers and streams are full of Trout, too, as these fish perk up thanks to the cooler nights, while Salmon varieties begin staging for their fall runs. The fall foliage might not be at full fire yet, but the fishing is absolutely heating up in all the right ways. It’s easy to see why this month is so popular with locals. There are loaded shorelines and water to cover, time to mix techniques, and you’ll get to enjoy some of Vermont’s most pleasant fishing season as a bonus.

October

A view from above of a man wade fishing in a river next to a bridge in a river in Vermont in fall.

When we say that October in Vermont is a real treat, we’re not just talking about the fishing – the scenery is seriously stunning, too! As the leaves turn electric shades of red and gold, the fish start shifting into serious feeding mode. Trout are on the move, with Brown and Brook Trout entering their spawning seasons. Why is this such good news? Well, they’re aggressive, colorful, and much more likely to strike. This makes October a dream month for fly anglers, especially on cooler mountain streams.

Out on the lakes, Northern Pike and Bass are bulking up for winter, making them active and eager to chase your bait and lures. Landlocked Salmon also start showing up in tributaries. With picture-perfect backdrops, October is about as good as it gets when it comes to Vermont fishing.

November

A man on a boat holds up two large Salmon, proudly displaying his catch while crouching on a boat.
Photo courtesy of BP Adventures Sport Fishing Lake Champlain

On the surface, it may seem like things should slow down a bit this month. However, the fishing can still be surprisingly hot – if you know where to look. Trout and Salmon are wrapping up their spawning activity, but a few fish still linger around and offer excellent angling opportunities in rivers and cold lakes. With fewer people casting lines on the water, it’s a peaceful time to fish and connect with Vermont’s late-season beauty.

Northern Pike and Walleye stay active in deeper pools and channels, especially on overcast days. If you’re a focused angler who doesn’t mind layering up and putting in a bit more effort for fewer (but often bigger) bites, you’ll be rewarded in kind during November. The buzz of summer is gone, but for those who stick it out, November favours the patient.

December

People sit in ice fishing huts spread out across a frozen lake, one of the scenic ice destinations in the Vermont, with a tree-lined shore visible under a cloudy sky.

December can only mean one thing in Vermont – snow, snow, and more snow. As lakes begin to freeze, eager ice fishing anglers keep a close eye on water conditions, waiting for safe ice to form. Early in the month, you might still sneak in a little open-water action on larger bodies like Lake Champlain, where Trout and Salmon prowl the chilly depths.

By mid to late December, the ice bite begins in earnest, especially in smaller, sheltered lakes and ponds. Panfish and Northern Pike are often the first to make themselves known under the ice, and you can expect them to keep showing up in bigger numbers as the season progresses. December offers a truly peaceful time on the water (or ice). Kick off winter in style, with a rod in hand and a thermos close by.

Vermont Fishing Seasons FAQs

Vermont Fishing Seasons: Endless Adventures in the Green Mountain State

A view across the calm waters of Lake Champlain in Vermont at sunset, with the setting sun creating an orange hue across the sky

From ice fishing under snowy skies to chasing Bass in warm summer lakes, you now have the lowdown on when and where to find the best bites, from January to December. Want to cast alongside a local guide, explore quiet streams solo, or take the whole family out on a day to remember? Vermont’s waters will deliver unforgettable experiences, stunning scenery, and a bonanza of fish to keep your line tugging all year round.

What’s your go-to Vermont fishing season or favorite secret spot? Share your stories and tips in the comments below. We’d love to hear from fellow anglers!

The post Vermont Fishing Seasons: The Ultimate Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

https://ift.tt/PGxwpLY