Book Your Fishing Charter in Shaftsbury, VT

Discover a beautifully rural gateway to some of the best fishing in the Shires region of Vermont when you book a trip in Shaftsbury. Rustic, laid-back, and unassuming, it may come as a surprise to many that Shaftsbury is one of the most historically significant towns in Vermont. As one of its first chartered towns, Shaftsbury was also one of its most prosperous, an economic force in several industries. 

Today, Shaftsbury remains a prosperous agricultural town. It may not be an obvious destination of choice for people traveling to New England. Still, anglers who dare to venture out of the usual route find the town a peaceful home base to explore some of the most beautiful freshwater fishing this side of Vermont.

Shaftsbury Fishing: Peaceful Freshwater Fishing in the Center of the Shires

Shaftsbury is a small town filled with many small streams and ponds stocked with trout. It's an ideal place to explore for beginning anglers looking to practice their cast, as you can simply walk around and find a small body of water to fish in peace. 

However, you would be amiss if you didn't go to Lake Shaftsbury State Park, located north of the town. This beautiful state park is a favorite among locals and virtually unknown to tourists. It can get crowded during the summer, though, so the best season to fish in the park is spring, when the lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Along with rainbows, you can also find bluegill, perch, pumpkinseed, and largemouth bass around the same time. The park offers fishing access near the dam of the park entrance and along the shorelines of the Healing Springs Nature Trail. However, the best way to fish Lake Shaftsbury is on a kayak or a canoe. Ice fishing can be pretty productive in the lake as well as the water freezes over quite nicely.

Drive 15 minutes outside Shaftsbury to access Lake Paran. The best way to do so is via its shorelines on the Robert Frost Trail. The lake's south shore also has a fishing and boating access area maintained by the state. The lake itself is a relatively small and shallow lake home to many fish species, including brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. It also has some largemouth bass, yellow perch, and bullhead.

Another water body that's easily accessible from Shaftsbury is the Wallomsac River, which you can fish from the three covered bridges of Bennington. Of the three, the Burt Henry Covered Bridge, also known as Henry Bridge, provides the best access to fishing. You can find fish species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, walleye, and common carp in these parts of the river.

Looking to challenge your fly fishing skills? There's no better water body to do so than at Batten Kill. The river is known for its clear waters, fast currents, and minimal cover, making fishing quite a challenge indeed, not just a test of one's fishing skills but also patience and grit. From Shaftsbury, the nearest access to this water body is at Camping on the Battenkill, a private 35-acre campground covering two rivers - Battenkill and Roaring Branch - within its perimeters. The state offers other spots such as Wagon Wheel, Red Mill, and Waterworks Bridge, where you can access Batten Kill if you can't make it into the campgrounds. 

Discover the legacy of Shaftsbury

1. Visit the Robert Frost Stone House Museum

Get into the mind of the great poet Robert Frost at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum, which is where the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet wrote his poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

2. Try Horseback-riding

Fall in love with one of Shaftsbury's favorite recreational activities, horseback riding. Family-run farms such as Shanderhorf Farm offer unique horseback riding experiences, including lessons and training camps.