Fishing In The Green Mountain National Forest

Habitat
The colder mountain streams and brooks on the Forest are home to Brook Trout, which require cold temperatures and very clean water. The larger rivers, which are warmer, are habitat for Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Lakes in the area contain Yellow Perch, Bass, Northern Pike, Brown Bullhead, Landlocked Salmon and Lake Trout.

Atlantic Salmon
The U.S. Forest Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, has begun a project reintroducing Atlantic Salmon into both the West and White Rivers, tributaries to the Connecticut River. Please be aware that Atlantic salmon parr look very similar to juvenile Brown Trout and are unlawful to catch and possess. Survival of the parr is crucial to the success of the restoration. Look along the riverbanks for the fish identification posters that will help you to distinguish Salmon parr and young Trout.

Fishing Opportunities on the Green Mountain National Forest:
Private land is interspersed with the National Forest in many areas. If you will be crossing or fishing on private land please get permission from the landowner first.

Popular Fishing Areas on the Rochester Ranger District:
White River: (Route 100) Species present: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.

Bingo Brook: (Forest Road 42) Species present: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.

West Branch White River: (Route 73) Species present: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.

Brandon Brook: (Route 73) Species present: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.

Michigan Brook: (Forest Road 35) Species present: Brook Trout. Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.

Hancock Branch: (Route 125) Species present: Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout.

Popular Fishing Areas on the Middlebury Ranger District:

New Haven River: (Forest Road 201) Species present: Brook Trout.

Alder Brook: (Forest Road 68) Species present: Brook Trout.

North Branch: (Forest Road 235) Species present: Brook Trout, Brown Trout.

South Branch and Middle Branch: (Forest road 214) Species present: Brook Trout.

Chittenden Reservoir: (Dam Road) Species present: Brown Trout, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass.

Goshen Dam: (Forest Road 32) Species present: Brook Trout.

Popular Fishing Areas on the Manchester Ranger District:

Greendale Brook: (Forest Road 18) Species present: Brook Trout.

Griffith Brook: (Forest Road 12) Species present: Brook Trout.

Mt Tabor Brook: (Forest Road 10) Species present: Brook Trout, Brown Trout.

Flood Brook: (US Route 11) Species present: Brown Trout, Brook Trout.

Batten Kill: (Route 7A to Route 313) Species present: Brown Trout, Brook Trout.

Big Branch Brook: (Forest Road 10) Species present: Brook Trout, Brown Trout.

Hapgood Pond: (Forest Highway 3) Species present: Brook Trout.

Roaring Branch Brook : (Kelley Stand Road) Species present: Brook Trout, Brown Trout.

Beebe Pond: (Kelley Stand Road) Species present: Brook Trout.

Branch Pond: (Forest Road 70) Species present: Brook Trout.

Grout Pond: (Forest Road 262) Species present: Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish.

Wallingford Pond: (Forest Road 20) Species present: Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish.

Fishing Licenses
All persons 15 years and older are required to possess a Vermont Fishing license when fishing on any land in the State, except Vermont landowners fishing on their own property. Licenses are available at town halls, most sporting goods stores and at many convenience stores near popular fishing areas.

Fishing Regulations
Current fishing regulation booklets are normally available when you buy a fishing license. You should familiarize yourself with it before you set off to go fishing.