Milton, VT Fishing: A Balance of City Convenience and Rural Ambience

Milton is a town known for its laid-back rural atmosphere in Chittenden County in Vermont just fourteen miles north of the bustling city of Burlington. At a little more than sixty square miles total land area, Milton may not exactly be small, but it has that typical American small-town charm that people who’d want a quick escape from the city crowds love. Compared to other small towns, though, Milton offers the perfect balance of city convenience and rural ambiance where there are state parks, golf courses, museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants, and hangouts scattered all over town. And with Lake Champlain, Lamoille  River, and the hills surrounding the town, it provides visitors with a spectacular 360-degree view of the great outdoors.

Milton was first chartered as a town on June 8, 1763 by Benning Wentworth, the colonial governor of New Hampshire at that time. Throughout the years, the town has seen a slow but steady development as street lamps, streets, and sidewalks were constructed around the place. Banks, restaurants, shops, and other commercial establishments were also popping out to cater to Milton's slowly growing population. Today, there are about 10, 633 people calling Milton their home and it’s best described as a “bedroom community” as many of its residents work in and around the city of Burlington. 

Aside from being known as a bedroom community, Milton is also quite popular among racing buffs—particularly stock and drag racing—as there are several racetracks in town. Although many of these speedways have not been operational for decades, some still are and they still attract a number of motorheads every year. 

Milton Fishing

Due to its proximity to two of the most fish-abundant bodies of water in the state of Vermont, Milton attracts thousands of sportfishing enthusiasts every year. One such fishing attraction is the Lamoille River that runs through northerner Vermont, passing through Milton, and drains to Lake Champlain at the south-western edge of the town. The part of the river that runs through town offers plenty of fishing opportunities for anglers as there’s a diverse population of species in its waters, including popular game fish such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, northern pike, walleye, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and a variety of trout. Yes, you can charter a fishing boat and cover more areas but casting your line straight off the fishing platforms (which, by the way, are publicly accessible) located at the Lamoille River Access and Sears Access areas can still result in some quality fish.

Another body of water that offers anglers a great fishing experience is Lake Champlain located on the western side of Milton. The lake is known to support ninety-three species of fish, with seventy-eight of them being native to its waters and fifteen introduced. A healthy population of these species is highly sought by anglers, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, chain pickerel, northern pike, channel catfish, brown bullhead, lake sturgeon, landlocked Atlantic salmon, yellow perch, rainbow smelt, and different types of trout. Although you can fish straight off the shores and piers, the best way to experience fishing in Lake Champlain is through a chartered boat as you can target the bigger fish right from the deeper parts of the lake.

For both bodies of water, the best way to catch some quality fish is to make sure your bait is presented near the bottom as many bigger fish tend to stay there. A live nightcrawler or a minnow on a single hook with some weight should do the trick. As for the gear, there’s no need to be fancy here. A 6’ or 7’ medium action rod, fluorocarbon 8lb to 20lb line, and a spinning reel is enough to handle even the feistiest fighters as well as the underwater structure that you may encounter in these waters.     

Top Ten Fish Species in Milton, VT

The top ten fish species  in Milton, VT is largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, landlocked Atlantic salmon, channel catfish, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, and northern pike.

Seasonal Fishing in Milton

Yes, you can pretty much go fishing all throughout the year but the best time to cast your line in either Lake Champlain or Lamoille River is from mid-May till the end of fall. That’s because most fish species here tend to be more actively hunting as they prepare for the coming winter, not to mention it’s also when most fish species are spawning. Summertime, on the other hand, can still be quite productive although most species can be finicky. Typical catches during the hottest season of the year are largemouth bass and perch.    

Make the Most Out of Your Milton Trip

Milton is a family-friendly spot that you and your kids can definitely enjoy. Here are three things you should check out on your next Milton trip:

1.Fishing Charters

With two of the most fishable waters (Lake Champlain and Lamoille River) in the state just within easy reach, Milton is definitely an angler’s dream destination. The best way to experience fishing in these waters, of course, is through a fishing charter that can take you to the best fishing spots in the area. Fishing charters are also manned by some of the most experienced anglers so you can certainly learn a trick or two from them. 

2. The Great Outdoors

With wildlife reserves, state parks, hiking trails, and camping grounds located in and around town, Milton is definitely an outdoor recreational haven that kids and adults alike would certainly love. The Sand Bar State Park located at the south-western edge of town that faces Lake Champlain, for instance, is a perfect summer getaway where you and your kids can bask under the sun on the beach or go for a refreshing dip in the water. You can also opt to hike to the Sand Bar Wildlife Refuge at the southern end of the park and take pictures of the wildlife including beavers, muskrats, raccoons, turtles, and a wide variety of migratory birds.

3. Small Town Living

Milton is a quintessential small town where you can experience the charm of rural living without the hassles. How else can you experience it first-hand but to just walk around the town and interact with the friendly locals? Besides the walkable town center, there are restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and other social spots where you can have a great time and fully soak in that enchanting small-town feel.