Fishing index · Vermont

Fishing conditions in Burlington, VT

Burlington, Vermont sits at Lake Champlain and Winooski River, where local anglers mainly chase smallmouth bass, northern pike, lake trout. Burlington fronts Lake Champlain's smallmouth flats, where the first stable stretch of June puts fish in the shallows, and the drop-offs hold lake trout that stay active through the cold months.

LureScore index · 2026-09-02

Excellent · estimated 62% bite probability
82
Excellent
Air temperature 8/8Pressure 14/14Temp. stability 10/10Pressure stability 8/8Wind 5/12Precipitation 6/8Season 7/8Signal Stable weather

The score combines air temperature, pressure level and stability, wind, rain, season and a short-range trend trigger. It is a timing aid — not a fish finder.

7-day outlook

DayIndexTempWindPressureSky
Today
2026-09-02
82 Excellent75° / 66°F18 mph30.03 inHgLight drizzle
Tomorrow
2026-09-03
60 Fair83° / 64°F19 mph29.88 inHgHeavy rain
Friday
2026-09-04
77 Good76° / 60°F11 mph29.85 inHgOvercast
Saturday
2026-09-05
85 Excellent65° / 57°F11 mph29.88 inHgDrizzle
Sunday
2026-09-06
78 Good71° / 54°F12 mph30.06 inHgOvercast
Monday
2026-09-07
70 Good75° / 52°F9 mph30.18 inHgOvercast
Tuesday
2026-09-08
75 Good79° / 53°F6 mph30.15 inHgOvercast

Daily highs/lows in °F, max wind in mph, mean sea-level pressure in inHg. Scores are computed per local forecast day.

What to target around Burlington

Lake Champlain Winooski River
Smallmouth bass Northern pike Lake trout

Burlington fronts Lake Champlain's smallmouth flats, where the first stable stretch of June puts fish in the shallows, and the drop-offs hold lake trout that stay active through the cold months. The table above recomputes the index for each of the next seven days from that day's forecast, so you can time an outing to the strongest window instead of fishing the calendar.

Autumn brings cooling water and aggressive feeding ahead of winter — often the most consistent index readings of the year.

Today's best windows

Windows are scored on the same model as the daily index. Sunrise and sunset edges are built into the schedule; the strongest mornings usually follow a stable or improving pressure trend.

Where should I fish near Burlington?

The waters around Burlington include Lake Champlain and Winooski River. Burlington fronts Lake Champlain's smallmouth flats, where the first stable stretch of June puts fish in the shallows, and the drop-offs hold lake trout that stay active through the cold months. Start with public access points on these systems, check local regs, and let the daily index above guide timing.

What fish species can I target around Burlington?

The usual targets are Smallmouth bass, Northern pike and Lake trout in and around Burlington. Seasonal timing shifts the bite — the forecast table on this page is computed for the same weather signals that matter for these species.

Do I need a fishing license in Vermont?

Yes — a Vermont state fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older (saltwater and freshwater endorsements may differ). Buy one through the Vermont state wildlife or natural-resources agency before you fish.

What is the best time of day to fish in Burlington?

The index recommends the strongest windows printed under today's score — typically the low-light morning and evening windows. Sunrise and sunset edges are almost always worth more casts than midday, especially in the warmer months.

The LureScore index is an informational planning signal based on weather, not a guarantee of fish activity or a catch. Always follow local regulations.

Try the interactive calculator All Vermont fishing