Cold River is a River located in Rutland County, VT. Starting in Cuttingsville, VT the Cold River flows 13 miles through Cuttingsville, VT before ending in Rutland, VT. The Cold River rises to an elevation of 518 feet. Find maps, fishing guides, weather and recreation information at Guidesly.

About Cold River, VT

Running 12.9 miles (20.8km) long in Rutland County in Vermont, the Cold River is a tributary of Otter Creek, the county’s biggest stream. The Cold River rises northeast of upper Shrewsbury, flows southwest through this same town, and turns and flows through the North Clarendon village. It finally reaches Otter Creek, 1 mile to the west of North Clarendon, which is just above the town line of Rutland.

As the name “Cold River” suggests, this water body is one of the streams in Vermont that has clear, cold waters. Like in every major or minor stream across the state, Cold River is a home to brook trout (Vermont’s official state fish) and other cold-water fish species due to the mountainous setting and geological make-up of the area. For the same reason, the Cold River plays a powerful role during major flood events in the county.

Between the 17th and 18th centuries, developmental activities like deforestation and building of roads along the floodplains were high in Cold River to give way to agricultural activities and the establishment of villages. These resulted in the instability of the river channels. The Cold River’s main stem varies as either stable bedrock channels or unstable gravel-rich channels.

All About Fishing in Cold River, VT

Cold River offers great fishing opportunities for cold-water anglers. Due to its cold waters, this river is one of the most productive spots for a variety of cold-water species such as brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and yellow perch. Warm-water fish species like catfish, brown bullhead, and smallmouth bass can also be found here. The right temperature, oxygen level, and salinity of the river sustain these aquatic species’ lives.

One technique to catch trout in Cold River is bait fishing. You may use nightcrawlers and small minnows as live bait or flies, streamers, and spinners as artificial bait. The same method can be used for smallmouth bass that feeds on crayfish and baitfish such as yellow perch, alewife, and smelt. By using live or artificial baits that imitate these bait species, hooking smallmouth is a sure thing. Additionally, locating yellow perch also helps when spotting smallmouths. Yellow perch love hiding in submerged weed beds, rock structures, and sunken wood. They also hang around in bridges so Cold River Bridge can be one of the good spots for catching this tasty species.

Other techniques popular among anglers when targeting landlocked Atlantic salmon are trolling and fly fishing. On the other hand, catching brown bullhead can be much easier. A stick-made rod or use of jigs and weighted tackles are all effective to catch these nocturnal bottom feeders.

Fishing Seasonality

As trout require cold water to survive, they can be hard to catch in some lakes and ponds in Vermont when summer comes. However, this is not the case for brook trout in Cold River. Cold, small streams are relatively colder so catching brook trout is not a problem all summer long up until fall. Regardless of the season though, fishing during dawn or dusk when they are most active is recommended.

In contrast to trout, brown bullhead are best caught in summer when waters are warmer. The best fishing period is during their spawning season in the late spring (May to June) when they gather in large schools in shallow water. During this season, you may as well target salmon in shallow waters.

As water temperatures in Cold River get colder when fall approaches, fish start to feed heavily. This is to boost essential nutrients reserve in their body for sustenance during winter. Aside from an increased feeding activity, there is also a decline in angling and recreational activities in the area. These only mean that you'll likely have your favorite fishing spots all for you and you have a good chance of catching almost any of your targets. If you’re specifically coming in winter, yellow perch is the most popular among anglers.

Fishing Seasonality

As trout require cold water to survive, they can be hard to catch in some lakes and ponds in Vermont when summer comes. However, this is not the case for brook trout in Cold River. Cold, small streams are relatively colder so catching brook trout is not a problem all summer long up until fall. Regardless of the season though, fishing during dawn or dusk when they are most active is recommended.

In contrast to trout, brown bullhead are best caught in summer when waters are warmer. The best fishing period is during their spawning season in the late spring (May to June) when they gather in large schools in shallow water. During this season, you may as well target salmon in shallow waters.

As water temperatures in Cold River get colder when fall approaches, fish start to feed heavily. This is to boost essential nutrients reserve in their body for sustenance during winter. Aside from an increased feeding activity, there is also a decline in angling and recreational activities in the area. These only mean that you'll likely have your favorite fishing spots all for you and you have a good chance of catching almost any of your targets. If you’re specifically coming in winter, yellow perch is the most popular among anglers.

All About Fishing in Cold River, VT

Cold River offers great fishing opportunities for cold-water anglers. Due to its cold waters, this river is one of the most productive spots for a variety of cold-water species such as brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and yellow perch. Warm-water fish species like catfish, brown bullhead, and smallmouth bass can also be found here. The right temperature, oxygen level, and salinity of the river sustain these aquatic species’ lives.

One technique to catch trout in Cold River is bait fishing. You may use nightcrawlers and small minnows as live bait or flies, streamers, and spinners as artificial bait. The same method can be used for smallmouth bass that feeds on crayfish and baitfish such as yellow perch, alewife, and smelt. By using live or artificial baits that imitate these bait species, hooking smallmouth is a sure thing. Additionally, locating yellow perch also helps when spotting smallmouths. Yellow perch love hiding in submerged weed beds, rock structures, and sunken wood. They also hang around in bridges so Cold River Bridge can be one of the good spots for catching this tasty species.

Other techniques popular among anglers when targeting landlocked Atlantic salmon are trolling and fly fishing. On the other hand, catching brown bullhead can be much easier. A stick-made rod or use of jigs and weighted tackles are all effective to catch these nocturnal bottom feeders.