Reeling in the Fun: Where to Go VT Bass Fishing

Are you looking for a fun activity to do in Vermont? Why not try VT bass fishing? Vermont is home to some of the best bass fishing lakes in the country. Imagine basking in gorgeous views while catching the biggest fish of your life. In this blog post, we will dive into the top bass fishing lakes in Vermont with some fun facts and information about Vermont’s state record bass. We will also explore the three types of baits you can use to target largemouth bass and the three types of baits to catch smallmouth bass. To fully understand the art and science of bass fishing, we will also discuss the lifecycle of bass. Come along on this adventure and learn how to reel in the fun!

vt bass fishing, fishing in vermont with VT fishing guide to catch large fish

Top Bass Fishing Lakes In VT

Vermont is home to numerous fisheries, which makes it a haven for bass fishing. Large reservoirs such as Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, and Lake Bomoseen are famous for their largemouth bass fisheries. During summer, Vermont is teeming with fishers as it offers some of the best bass and northern pike fishing opportunities.

Apart from these larger lakes, Vermont has smaller ponds and reservoirs, which provide excellent bass fishing opportunities, as these waters are relatively unpressured. Conversely, there are plenty of parks, rivers, and small lakes that are worth exploring. Regions such as Northeast Kingdom, Champlain Valley, South-Central, Southern, and North-Central Vermont are relatively lesser-known, but each has exceptional bass fishing opportunities. With such a wide variety of fisheries to choose from, your next bass fishing adventure in Vermont is bound to be a success.

Fun Facts

Bass fishing is a popular pastime in Vermont, with plenty of options for anglers looking to catch the big one. Some of the top bass fishing lakes in the state include Lake Champlain and Harriman Reservoir, both of which offer excellent fishing opportunities for bass. Lake Bomoseen hosts an annual fishing tournament, and south central Vermont offers fishing for various species.

Vermont has 46 state parks with fishing opportunities, making it easy to find a fishing spot. And if you’re not sure where to start, Vermont’s Travel Planner allows users to search for fishing spots, lodging, dining, and more by town or region. Plus, for those who enjoy fishing in the winter, ice fishing for bass is a popular activity in Vermont. So grab your gear and head to one of Vermont’s many fishing spots for a day of reeling in the fun.

vt bass fishing, fishing in vermont with VT fishing guide to catch large fish

Vermont State Record Bass

Vermont is a freshwater paradise for bass fishing, with numerous lakes and reservoirs providing ample opportunities to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Some of the top lakes for bass fishing in Vermont include Harriman Reservoir, Island Pond, Lake Bomoseen, Lake Carmi, Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, Lake Memphremagog, Lake St Catherine, Maidstone Lake, Seymour Lake, and Somerset Reservoir.

The state record largemouth bass was caught at Lake Dunmore, weighing in at 11.74 pounds. Meanwhile, the state record smallmouth bass was caught at Lake Champlain, weighing in at 6.86 pounds. Ice fishing is also popular in Vermont, particularly for bass. Fishing licenses are easily available online, so grab your gear and head out to one of Vermont’s beautiful lakes for an exciting day of bass fishing.

Three types of baits for largemouth bass

When it comes to bass fishing in Vermont, jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are all commonly used baits for largemouth bass. Each bait has its own characteristics and is suited for different scenarios. Plastic worms, for example, are versatile and effective in various conditions. Largemouth bass prefers to live in cover-oriented habitats like submerged vegetation, rocks, and man-made cover. During spawning season and early summer mornings, largemouth bass can be found hiding under various structures like boat docks, trees, and weeds close to the shoreline. To select the right bait, consider the water conditions, time of day, weather, and the bass’s habits and lifecycle. Knowing these details is essential when choosing the best bait for a successful catch.

vt bass fishing, fishing in vermont with VT fishing guide to catch large fish

Three types of baits for smallmouth bass

If you’re looking to catch smallmouth bass in Vermont lakes, try using jigs, crankbaits, and swimbaits. Plastic worms are a popular bait choice for smallmouth bass fishing as well. To choose the right bait, it’s important to know the lifecycle and habits of smallmouth bass. You can try sidearm or overhand casts or try the more advanced underhand cast to reach deeper waters. Craw lures work well in shallow waters near rocks and weeds to catch smallmouth bass. With these tips and a little patience, you’ll be reeling in plenty of smallmouth bass in no time.

The lifecycle of bass

When it comes to fishing for smallmouth bass in Vermont, it’s important to note that the best baits to use can vary depending on the time of year and location. One way to increase your chances of success is to understand the lifecycle of bass so you can choose the most effective bait. Bass are a freshwater species that rely heavily on their environment.

In the spring and summer months, insects and larvae are often effective baits for smallmouth bass in Vermont. During other parts of the year, worms and crayfish can be used year-round. Soft plastics and jigs are also popular lures for bass fishing in Vermont. Ultimately, the best bait choice depends on the location and time of year, so it’s important to experiment and test out different baits to find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best bass fishing in Vermont?

Vermont’s major lakes, such as Lake Champlain and Harriman Reservoir, offer some of the best bass fishing opportunities in the state, while bass can also be found in ponds, parks, rivers, and small lakes throughout Vermont, making it easy to find a spot to fish.

Fishing in Vermont is a great way for families to spend quality time together and teach children about conservation and sportsmanship. Lake Champlain, known for its spectacular bass fishing and offering over 100 miles of shoreline, is considered one of the best fisheries in the country.

For those planning a Vermont fishing vacation, the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing’s website can help find the perfect location and lodging to suit your needs.

C K
C K
February 22, 2022.
We had an excellent time with Keith for Ice fishing! Caught a Northern Pike on a jigging rod of all things! Keith was always professional, friendly, and very instructive. Highly recommend!
Erin Courcey
Erin Courcey
January 24, 2022.
Keith really runs a terrific private ice fishing excursion!! From the start, Keith was extremely responsive, organized and full of knowledge and excitement over our family’s desire to try ice fishing for the first time. Keith was thorough in his planning with us so that we were prepared and comfortable with our plans. The day was amazing—-Keith is an expert fisherman, and he so was patient with all of us non fishermen/women. We learned so much and really had the time of our lives with Keith! We will definitely do another excursion with Keith soon, and highly recommend him!
David Malfetano
David Malfetano
January 17, 2022.
Keith is a fantastic guide and was very helpful to our inexperienced crew. Would certainly book this tour again!
Jon Boudreau
Jon Boudreau
January 17, 2022.
Keith and his dad run a great service and provided us with an excellent time on the lake. He knows what he’s doing and takes his time to teach the tour group. Absolutely would book again.
Luke C
Luke C
January 17, 2022.
One of the best fishing experiences I’ve had. Everything was organized, well run, and an absolute blast. Hard to find a better charter!
Kristin Bitter
Kristin Bitter
October 10, 2021.
My family and I had an awesome time out on Lake Morey this weekend with Keith!! He had a great boat, a bunch of different tackle, and put us onto some really nice fish.
Sean Bitter
Sean Bitter
October 10, 2021.
Great fishing! Lots of big fish! Keith is the best
Mike Seaton
Mike Seaton
September 2, 2021.
We went out with stay bent recently and had a great experience! We caught many fish and the guide was very knowledgeable
Christopher Augello
Christopher Augello
August 31, 2021.
Awesome day on the lake. Keith was awesome , great teaching my kids how to fish and me . Caught a bunch of fish too.
Chris Ritter
Chris Ritter
August 30, 2021.
We had a blast fishing with Keith last week. He put us on nonstop action on a hot day, which is not easy. The lake was beautiful and fun to jump in as well. My nine-year-old daughter does not have a ton of fishing experience, but he was able to get her working the retrieves perfectly, and she ended up out fishing me by a long shot! We got largemouth, smallmouth, rock bass, Pickerel, Perch, and sunfish. Keith is great with kids, and a lot of fun to hang out with for grown-ups. His boat and equipment are top notch as well. I would recommend this guy to anyone, And we are looking forward to our next trip which might be some ice fishing.

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