Any time of year is a great time to get out in the fresh air and have some good old-fashioned fun with friends and family, or a day by yourself to enjoy the peace and quiet surrounded by some of the most gorgeous scenery in Vermont. And if the fish are biting, even better! But do you know where best places to go to have a successful day fishing in Vermont? We’ve put together some of the best family-friendly fishing spots in the state, and we think you’ll agree that these places will give you some long-lasting memories of simple days and good times. Enjoy!

1. Shelburne Bay, Shelburne
Shelburne Bay, Shelburne, VT, USA
Flickr/Rich
For the best chances for some great catches, head to the shoreline at the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s access area. The absolute best fishing is from the bridge on Bay Road to the point. If you enjoy Shelburne Bay in early spring or late fall, you may even encounter lake trout or rainbow trout. Late spring and early summer bring a number of panfish, bass, and northern pike.
2. Baker Pond, Brookfield
Baker Pond, Brookfield, VT 05060, USA
Flickr/Doug Kerr
Owned by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Baker Pond in Brookfield has plenty of places to fish from the shore. You can also take out a small boat to try for a brook trout in early spring, or enjoy the abundant amount of largemouth bass and pumpkinseed sunfish. It is one of the best fishing spots in Vermont!
3. Lake Champlain, Alburg
Alburgh, VT 05440, USA
Flickr/Casey Geib
Alburg is located in the northwest corner of Vermont and has some of the most diverse selection of fish around with over 90 different species. It is one of the best fishing spots in Vermont and a great area to catch some live ones here is at the Korean War Veterans Fishing Access, which provides shore-bound anglers a great opportunity to catch some beauties.
4. Lake Champlain, Burton Island
Burton Island, St. Albans Town, VT 05478, USA
denisbin/Flickr
Burton Island State Park is accessible by boat or ferry and provides some of the best fishing access, especially for the younger fishers who can drop their line in from one of the docs. In addition to some excellent fishing, this park provides camping, hiking, and beaches. Talk about options for the best family fishing experience ever!
5. Lower Lamoille River, Milton
Milton, VT 05468, USA
Flickr/Rich
This area in the town of Milton has two platforms that are accessible to everyone and the fishing is great right off of either one of them. Here you'll find yellow perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike. A short drive north to Sandbar State Park is a quick option if the fish aren't biting much here.
6. Winooski River, Colchester
Colchester, VT 05446, USA
Flickr/Charles Wohlers
Here you'll find yellow perch, white perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike. Mid-May is an excellent time to try your hand, or rather your rod, on the lower part of the Winooski River.
7. Sunset Lake, Brookfield
Flickr/VTrance
This awesome floating bridge resting on the water over Sunset Lake is one of the best places to fish in Vermont. In early spring it's filled with trout, but there are other varieties to catch here as well throughout the year.
8. Silver Lake, Barnard
Barnard, VT, USA
Flickr/Susan Getgood
Enjoy fishing directly from shore at Silver Lake State Park in the town of Barnard. There is so much to do here including a swimming beach, playground, and camping. Boat and canoe rentals are also available.

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9. Colton and Kent Ponds, Killington
Kent Pond, Killington, VT 05751, USA
Anita Dhillon/Google Maps
There are Vermont Fish and Wildlife access areas at both of these ponds which are located less than a mile apart. Perhaps the best place for fishing is along the dam where there is a shore fishing platform. There are also many camping and hiking areas at the Gifford Woods State Park which is across the road from Kent Pond (pictured above).
10. Half Moon Pond, Castleton
Half Moon Pond State Park, 1621 Black Pond Rd, Hubbardton, VT 05743, USA
Flickr/Chad Cassin
Half Moon Pond is a perfect place for a camping getaway, and it also has some of the best fishing in Vermont. Boat rentals, a swimming area, and a playground make this a true family fun area!
11. Lake St. Catherine, Poultney
Lake Saint Catherine, Vermont, USA
Flickr/LeoLondon
As you can see, there is a lot of fun to be had at Lake St. Catherine! Enjoy shoreline fishing, camping, swimming, boat rentals, and a playground. If you decide to drop a line in the water, you'll find largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, crappie, bullhead, panfish, bass, pike, bluegill, and pumpkinseed sunfish.
12. Echo Lake, Plymouth
Echo Lake, Plymouth, VT, USA
Flickr/Aimee & Paul Bogush
Gather a large group and organize a camping trip this summer on Echo Lake in Plymouth. Here you'll find shoreline fishing, camping, swimming, and more. It even has a concession stand if you don't want to pack your own food! Boat rentals are available, but you can launch your own for free at the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Access Area.
13. Bullhead Pond, Manchester
Bullhead Pond, Manchester, VT 05255, USA
Flickr/fritzmb
If you're in the beautiful small town of Manchester, places to fish from the shore are abundant at Bullhead Pond. It's loaded with trout and the best time to catch them is early spring before the water gets too warm. They may be a bit biased, but any angler in the area will tell you that Bullhead Pond offers some of the best fishing in Vermont.
14. Lowell Lake, Londonderry
Lowell Lake, Londonderry, VT 05148, USA
Flickr/Storm
You'll love the natural beauty at Lowell Lake State Park, which is in large part still wonderfully underdeveloped. Motorized boats are not allowed on Lowell Lake, but feel free to launch your canoe and paddle away!
15. Gale Meadows Pond, Londonderry
Gale Meadows Pond, Vermont, USA
Flickr/Storm
Picturesque Gale Meadows Pond in Londonberry is a beautiful spot to drop a line. You can choose to fish from the shore here, or from your own boat. Either way, you're sure to catch your fill!
16. Lake Shaftsbury, Shaftsbury
Lake Shaftsbury, Shaftsbury, VT 05262, USA
Flickr/Mark Yokoyama
Lake Shaftsbury is a gorgeous and peaceful lake in Southern Vermont, and you're sure to fall in love at first sight! You can fish, swim, or simply sit and enjoy the beautiful surrounding here. This is one place that will keep you coming back year after year.

Where is your favorite place to go fishing in Vermont? Let us know in the comments below.

If you’re interested in visiting other beautiful lakes in Vermont, you might want to check out Lake Willoughby.

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