Vermont

Green Mountain State — Lake Champlain Bass & Trout

Fishing in Vermont

Vermont offers excellent fishing on Lake Champlain for bass and walleye, plus pristine mountain stream trout fishing. The state is a smallmouth bass destination.

Tournament Scene

Lake Champlain hosts major national bass events. Active local circuit.

Local Tips

Lake Champlain is a world-class bass fishery. Harriman Reservoir for bass. Battenkill for trout. Connecticut River for bass.

Major Trails

B.A.S.S.FLW

Local Circuits

Vermont Bass FederationLake Champlain Bass Trail

Public Access

Good access on Lake Champlain and state waters.

Species in Vermont

What you can target and when

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

good
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Lake Champlain · Lake Bomoseen · Lake St. Catherine

SenkoTopwaterJigSpinnerbait
Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Lake Champlain · Connecticut River · Lake Memphremagog

Tube jigDrop shotNed rigTopwater

Top Waters in Vermont

Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries

Lake Champlain

lakePublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

World-class bass fishery hosting major national tournaments.

Top Species

Largemouth BassSmallmouth BassWalleye

Best: Summer

Upcoming Tournaments in Vermont

41 tournaments found

Walleye
Freshwater

Summer Bomoseen Walleye Tournament

Bomoseen, Vermont
Mar 29, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026
Walleye
$75Details
Walleye
Freshwater

Giant Bennington Walleye Face-Off

Bennington, Vermont
Mar 30, 2026 – Apr 2, 2026
Walleye
$250Details
Spotted Bass
Open

Queen Woodstock Bass Rally

Woodstock, Vermont
Apr 3, 2026 – Apr 4, 2026
Spotted Bass
$125Details
Walleye
Freshwater

Memorial Montpelier Walleye Face-Off

Montpelier, Vermont
Apr 4, 2026 – Apr 5, 2026
Walleye
$250Details
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater

Mayor's Cup Champlain Bass Rally

Champlain, Vermont
Apr 13, 2026 – Apr 16, 2026
Smallmouth Bass
$75Details
Smallmouth Bass
Freshwater
6 days

Lightning Woodstock Bass Open

Woodstock, Vermont
Apr 22, 2026 – Apr 23, 2026
Smallmouth Bass
$1500Details

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

Resident License

Annual Resident: $28.

Non-Resident License

Annual Non-Resident: $54. 7-Day: $32. 3-Day: $20. 1-Day: $15.

Short-Term License

1-Day, 3-Day, and 7-Day licenses available.

Youth & Senior

Free for residents under 15.

Boat Registration

Required for motorized vessels.

Tournament Permit

Permits required for organized events.

Regulations Overview

5 bass daily limit. Complex trout regulations by water.

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