Westmore, VT Fishing: Panoramic Mountain Lake Fishing in New England

Located in the alluringly scenic Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, the town of Westmore can be found in the state’s Orleans County. In that county, Westmore is the least populated. The town contains one unincorporated village surrounding the glacial lake of Lake Willoughby, which is the deepest in the state. It is also flanked by Mount Pisgah on the east and Mount Hor on the west. On August 17, 1781, the town was chartered and was originally named Westford. A town with the same name is also in Chittenden County so its name was changed to Westmore in 1787. 

Along with the two mountains flanking Westmore, it is also riddled with more mountains namely; Goodwin, Bald, Hedgehog, Haystack and Bartlett, making it an idyllic Vermont area due to the picturesque views they provide. The town has proven to be a distinguished recreational and tourist destination as it has the highest percentage of second home ownership in the county and state. The lake and mountains see most of the tourism in Westmore with activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, ice fishing, camping, canoeing and other boating forms, rock and ice climbing as well as parasailing offered. The Willoughby State Forest, which possesses most of the local mountains that have hundreds of feet of rock cliffs, has been designated as a National Natural Landmark. Anglers looking to seek sanctuary in Vermont can do no wrong in Westmore as the township surrounding one of the best lakes in New England will provide exceptional and beautiful fishing all year long.

Westmore Fishing

The town of Westmore offers one of the best scenic fishing experiences all year round in New England due to its fitting placement amongst perfectly-textured mountains and being clustered around the deepest lake in the state.

Fishing in Westmore won’t really be fishing in the town if anglers don’t try out the waters of Lake Willoughby. The 12,000-year-old, 300-feet deep, glacial lake was named the third best lake in New England in 2010 due to its tourism capability and diverse offerings whether recreational or agricultural. The lake, which is also listed as a National Natural Landmark, is located in the northeast part of Westmore is considered a healthy fishery for landlocked Atlantic salmon as well as lake trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and yellow perch. Other species that can be found in its waters include Atlantic bonito, chain pickerel, mackerel, rock bass, rainbow smelt, white sucker, burbot, lake chub, common shiner, golden shiner, round whitefish and longnose sucker. Steelhead trout (rainbow trout) migrate up to the lake from Barton River and Willoughby River to spawn. Rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon are regularly stocked in the lake’s waters. Lake Willoughby has 10 miles of shoreline making bank fishing and surf casting possible, especially at the lake’s southern tip and at Lake Willoughby South Beach. Around the same area, there is also boat access where people can launch boats, kayaks and canoes. There is also a boat launch ramp on the northeast shore called the Lake Willoughby Boat Access but almost half of the shoreline has boat docks. A variety of techniques can be employed in the lake including net fishing, spinning, fly fishing, trolling, baitcasting as well as ice fishing when top waters are frozen. Burbot, perch, chain pickerel, longe and mountain trout are popular targets when anglers are ice fishing. Salmon and perch can be caught from the docks and shores. Lake trout are best caught from 50 to 100 feet through jigging of water while salmon and rainbow trout can be caught higher up the water column.

North of the lake is the southern part of Willoughby River where anglers can catch a variety of similar fish such as brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, lake trout, landlocked salmon, rainbow smelt, yellow perch, American shad, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, and crappie. The river is a popular place to angle for steelhead rainbow trout. Species like anadromous Atlantic salmon, lake sturgeon and sauger can also be found in the river but cannot be caught as there is no open season for them.

Around the lake there are small brooks and streams such as Mill Brook to the east and Lord Brook on the west that are also great spots to target trout. Further to the west of the lake and linked to Mill Brook is Long Pond which is a good place to practice one’s fly fishing, baitcasting, trolling or spinning. Fish species that can be found in the pond’s waters are brook trout, lake trout, pumpkinseed, perch, sunfish, and rock bass. Long Pond also offers beautiful scenery as it’s surrounded by a hardwood forest where a variety of other wildlife reside.

To the southeast of Westmore, anglers can fish at Bald Hill Pond and the connecting Bean Brook where fish like catfish, panfish, rainbow trout, smelt, sunfish, bullhead, and brook trout can be found in its still waters. A boat launch area is available as well as private swim areas. Nearby are wetlands and the smaller Sawdust Pond and Brown Pond that support a healthy population of wildlife. The Wildlife Management Area is truly a nature lover’s paradise. Anglers can head a mile south of Bald Hill Pond to get more information about local fishing regulations at the Fish Culture Station.

Jobs Pond is situated to the very east of Westmore where anglers can find some of the largest brook trout in the area. The fish there are best caught by casting or trolling streamer flies, spoons or spinners in water that is less than 10 feet in depth. Off Newark Road there is a boat ramp located on the southeast side of its waters. To the northeast, anglers can also fish for similar species in Mud Pond.  

Top 10 Fish Species in Westmore, VT

Top 10 fish species found in Westmore, Vermont Atlantic salmon, lake trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, yellow perch, chain pickerel, rainbow smelt, white sucker, and burbot.

Seasonal Fishing

Trout fishing in Westmore is open from April to October with daily limits to how much an angler can keep. Landlocked salmon, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, yellow perch and crappie’s open season are also the same with daily limits as well. Rainbow smelt also has the same open season but there are no limits to keeping them. For largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, anglers can start fishing for them from May until October with daily creel limits. American shad is for catch and release only from April to October. For stocked fish like trout and salmon, it’s best to target them in the spring when they are restocked. Fish that can thrive in cooler waters like burbot, northern pike and chain pickerel are great to catch during the winter.

Lake and Mountain Fun in Westmore

An unspoiled New England town in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, Westmore is an ideal destination for nature lovers looking for some respite and relaxation. 

1. Book a Fishing Charter

As the town surrounds a famous lake in the state, fishing is obviously a popular activity in Westmore. Anglers can book a fishing charter to help them make the most of their angling trip when they visit Westmore. Boat rental services as well as bait and tackle shops are available around and near fishing areas throughout the township.

2. Mountain Merrymaking

Aside from the lake, Willoughby State Forest, another National Natural Landmark located in Westmore, offers those seeking to immerse themselves the scenic beauty of surrounding mountains and forests tons of activities to do. People can go hiking, biking, camping, rock climbing, wildlife watching as well as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. Bird watching is also a popular pastime there as peregrine falcons have been spotted in the area.

3. More Lakeside Fun

Aside from fishing and ice fishing, Lake Willoughby offers people tons of things to do near and in the water with over half its shoreline having resorts, cottages, inns and other lodgings that can accommodate visitors. In or near the lake, people can take part in water sports such as swimming, sailing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and pontooning. Ice skating can also be done during the winter.