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Northern Vermont has plenty of fish and places to catch them

Lakeside Fishing Spot at Lake Carmi State Park - Photo Credit VT State Parks
Lake Carmi State Park

460 Marsh Farm Road (Route 236) Franklin, VT, 05457 Phone: 802-933-8383

Great park for paddling and boating; Many campsites; pets not allowed in day use area

At 1375 acres, Carmi is the fourth largest lake in Vermont. Fish species in the lake are northern pike, walleyes, and other warm water species. The state park includes over two miles of frontage on the shores of Lake Carmi.
Lower Winooski River

There are two public access areas on the lower Winooski River, which is located in Colchester and Burlington and drains into Lake Champlain. Both access areas have fishing platforms, and the fishing is often good right from the platforms. At Windermere Way Access Area you can walk down the bike path and get near the mouth of the river. The fishing platform at Windermere Way is also accessible to wheelchairs. The Heineberg Bridge Access Area is further upstream, where VT Route 127 crosses the river.
Species: The Lower Winooski River has any species found in Lake Champlain. Some common species you should expect to encounter are: yellow perch, white perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike. In general, mid-May through fall offers excellent fishing.
Shelburne Bay

Along Bay Road Shelburne, VT, 05482 Phone:

Shelburne Bay is a large bay on Lake Champlain. You can fish along the shoreline but best fishing is from the bridge on Bay Road. You can also reach the La Platte River, where the best fishing is usually closer to bridge.
Species: Yellow perch, white perch, bluegill sunfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike. In early spring and late fall, lake trout or rainbow trout. Late spring and early summer, panfish and bass and northern pike.
Location: Bay Road.
Directions: Take US Route 7 to Shelburne and turn west onto Bay Road. Travel west on Bay Road 1 mile, and the access area will be on the right. You can either fish the La Platte River or Shelburne Bay and Lake Champlain itself.
Paddling at Kill Kare State Park - Photo Credit VT State Parks
Kill Kare State Park

2714 Hathaway Point Road St. Albans, VT, 05481 Phone: 802-534-6021

Swimming and boating; kayaks for rent; public boat ramp; pets not allowed

Located on the southern end of St. Albans Point, a long, narrow peninsula, Kamp Kill Kare State Park has a swimming area and a public boat launching ramp that reaches deep water quickly. There are kayaks for rent. - Park Map (PDF)
Open: Year-round, 10am - Sunset. Day use only (no camping allowed).
Girls on the Beach - Grand Isle State Park - Photo Credit VT State Parks
Grand Isle State Park

36 East Shore South Grand Isle, VT Phone: 802-372-4300

Many campsites; large sandy beach, swimming, shore fishing, sports fields

Shore fishing in Lake Champlain is simple at this destination park, very popular for family camping and water sports. Areas along the lake shore permit access for swimming and shore fishing. Registered campers may launch boats. Kayaks and rowboats are available for rent. Campers are allowed free entry to the sand beach at Knight Point State Park (seven miles to the north) and Alburg Dunes State Park (19 miles to the north).
Marshfield Reservoir (aka Molly’s Falls Reservoir)

US Route 2 Cabot, VT Phone:

Description: The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department access area offers plenty of opportunity to fish from shore, including two fishing platforms. You can also launch a boat here if you like.
Species: You can expect to catch smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, and yellow perch. Though rare when compared with these species, northern pike also live in the reservoir. Trout are stocked here, but the best trout fishing will be in the spring before the water gets too warm and they move to deeper waters.
Location: US Route 2.
Directions: The access area is on US Route 2, roughly midway between Montpelier and St. Johnsbury.