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Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass are found throughout Vermont and are abundant in the state's lakes and ponds. Vermont offers exceptional largemouth bass fishing with catch-and-release opportunities year-round during open water season.

Scientific Name: Micropterus salmoides

Physical Characteristics:
  • Largemouth bass are the largest member of the sunfish family in Vermont, with distinctive large, round mouths and upper jaws that extend well past their eyes when closed.
  • Their flanks are light green to golden green with pronounced horizontal bars.
  • Vermont's state record largemouth bass weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz., caught in Lake Dunmore in 1988.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout Vermont and are abundant in the state's lakes and ponds.

Key Locations

  • Lake Champlain, Lake Memphremagog, Lake Bomoseen, Lake St.
  • Catherine, Lake Morey, Lake Fairlee, Lake Sadawga, and the Connecticut River.
  • Numerous smaller, unpressured ponds and reservoirs also offer exceptional opportunities.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas adjacent to or into cover like submerged vegetation, fallen trees, docks, and rock piles.
  • These cover-oriented fish prefer habitats with submerged vegetation, shoreline wood and rocks, boat docks, offshore rock piles, and man-made structures like bridge pilings and cement walls.

Largemouth Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Largemouth Bass in Vermont?

Jigs, crankbaits, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits. Jerkbaits with crayfish and bluegill patterns featuring chartreuse accents.

What flies work for Largemouth Bass in Vermont?

White Stealth Bombers (topwater), olive dredge flies (bottom), white or white/chartreuse Clouser Minnows (mid-column jig style), and white Game Changers (swim flies).

When is the best time to fish for Largemouth Bass in Vermont?

Prime months are April and May during the spring catch-and-release season (before the June 14 regular season opener). Pre-spawn bass fishing occurs when water temperatures reach 48-56°F.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass in Vermont?

Spring techniques include slow-rolling spinnerbaits, working diving crankbaits that tick bottom, and using jerkbaits. Fish slowly on bottom with jigs after ice-out, then switch to moving baits as temperatures rise.

What do Largemouth Bass eat?

Largemouth bass are voracious predators that eat virtually anything that fits in their mouths, including insects, minnows, shiners, shad, bluegill, yellow perch, leeches, crayfish, frogs, snakes, mice, small birds, and even other bass. They're primarily piscivorous but opportunistic feeders.

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