Barnard, VT Fishing: An All-Year-Round Outdoor Recreational Paradise

Barnard is a pastoral community located in Windsor County in central Vermont. With a total area of just a little under 50 square miles, there are plenty of things to do here all year round even if the town is just small. One of the main tourist draws of Bernard is the Silver Lake State Park nestled right in the heart of the town. This park offers locals and visitors alike with fun outdoor summer activities such as swimming, boating, biking, camping, hiking, picnicking, and fishing. During winters, the park still attracts thousands as people can go ice skating or ice fishing here. 

Aside from the Silver Lake State Park, the famed Appalachian Trail and the Green Mountain National Forest right at the outskirts provides more opportunities for outdoor recreation, which include camping, hiking, and biking, during the summer and skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Barnard is also blessed with a 360-degree view of some of the most amazing natural sceneries in the state, thanks to the hilly fields and forests surrounding this beautiful countryside town.

Barnard was chartered as a town on July 17, 1761, but the permanent settlers came later in 1775. It was named after Sir Francis Bernard, the first Baronet and Governor of the then province of Massachusetts Bay. The name was changed to its current spelling in 1810 and no one knows exactly why. Throughout the centuries, the town has seen several developments to help with its agricultural industry, clearing forests for growing crops and grazing livestock. Some of the products that came out from this include maple syrup, vegetables, and various dairies.

Until now, Barnard remains to be an agricultural town as locals preserve their storied agricultural past. The community, however, has been welcoming a lot of out-of-towners over the past few decades as the awe-inspiring sceneries and the fun outdoor activities attract people from all over.                

Barnard Fishing

Every year, Barnard also attracts fishing enthusiasts thanks mainly to the fish-abundant Silver Lake situated right in the middle of the state park. To fish here, one has to secure a fishing license that you can acquire online or at the park’s office. You will also need to know the fishing regulations that are strictly enforced in the whole state of Vermont. You can get all your fishing essentials from the Barnard General Store and other bait and tackle shops scattered across the small town. 

Silver Lake supports a variety of fish that anglers love to catch including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellowperch, rock bass, and bullhead. Different species of fish can be caught pretty much anywhere in the lake—from the middle, the shallows, the flats, and even if you cast your line straight off the shores. You can also rent a boat or a kayak to get to where you can catch bigger fish—which, of course, are in the deeper parts of the water. Aside from the excellent fishing opportunities, anglers are treated to a beautiful view of the natural setting that surrounds the lake and the state park.

Silver Lake is not the only fishing spot in Barnard, though, as there are plenty of fishable creeks and streams flowing around the town. In these narrow and shallow bodies of water, different types of trout such as browns, brooks, bulls, and rainbows can be caught on the fly. Fly fishers can catch some quality fish from the banks or they can wade through the shallow waters. 

If you go a bit farther out of town, there are several fishing spots that offer superb fishing opportunities as well. It’s just a matter of knowing where to go. To know more about fishing in Barnard, we highly recommend booking a guided fishing tour. That’s because a seasoned local guide can take you where you can catch some of the best fish, teach you how to catch them, and show you where you can secure all the necessary paper works to fish the waters in and around Barnard.     
 

Top Ten Fish Species in Barnard, VT

The top ten fish species in Barnard, VT are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellowperch, rock bass,  bullhead, brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. 

Seasonal Fishing in Barnard, VT

Barnard is truly an all-year-round fishing destination as the bodies of water in the area support both warm and cold water species. The warmest time of the year is between the months of May and October, with July usually being the warmest month. On the other hand, the chilly months start from November and lasts until April, with December, January, and February being the coldest.

That said, the best time to catch some quality fish in and around Barnard is during the warmest months as most fish species tend to be more active at this time of the year. Although, you have to make sure that you have all the necessary protection against the scorching summer sun. Ice fishing can also be productive, of course, but when the water temperature drops, most fish tend to be a little sluggish, making it a bit of a challenge to even hook one. Lastly, ice fishing in the lake can only be done when the ice is thick enough to be able hold your weight.
 

Make the Most of Your Barnard Trip with these Top Attractions

1.Fishing Charter

The best way to explore the waters of Barnard is by booking a boat.

2.Outdoor Activities  

Barnard is definitely an outdoor enthusiast’s dream vacation as you can go hiking, biking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling in this beautiful scenic town.