Winooski River
Winooski River
- Boat Ramps
- 5
- Access Points
- 21
- Species
- 30
The Winooski River is one of Vermont's largest and most diverse waterways, stretching approximately 90 miles from its headwaters in Cabot to Lake Champlain in Colchester. This significant tributary drains 1,080 square miles of land and features a remarkable variety of fishing opportunities. The river transitions from clear, cold mountain streams teeming with wild brook trout in its headwaters to larger, warmer sections supporting bass, perch, and other warm-water species in its lower reaches. With seven main tributaries—the Kingsbury Branch, Stevens Branch, North Branch, Dog River, Mad River, Little River, and Huntington River—the Winooski Basin contains some of the most diverse fisheries of all river systems in Vermont.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Winooski River and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Burbot
Lota lota
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Fallfish
Semotilus corporalis
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Pumpkinseed
Lepomis gibbosus
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Redfin Pickerel
Esox americanus americanus
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Shorthead Redhorse Sucker
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
Steelhead
White Perch
Morone americana
White Sucker
Catostomus commersonii
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Fish stocking schedule
Latest 5 stockings
- Rainbow Trout552 fish · 16.8 inMay 19, 2026
- Rainbow Trout990 fish · 9.1 inMay 14, 2026
- Rainbow Trout450 fish · 9.1 inMay 14, 2026
- Rainbow Trout1,080 fish · 9.1 inMay 14, 2026
- Brown Trout1,100 fish · 9.1 inMay 14, 2026
Source
Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.
Open stocking page, opens in new tabFishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Winooski River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Marshfield Access
Winooski River Access Area
Memorial Park
Winooski Falls Take-out Access
Route 2 Bridge
Winooski Falls Put-in
Daxbury Road
Bridge Street Access
Winooski Street Bridge Access
Green Mountain Power Overlook Park
Know where you can legally fish on Winooski River
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Vermont licenses and regulations
Vermont Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Vermont Fishing License
No Fishing License Needed If: You are under 15 years of age (resident or nonresident).
Vermont Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Vermont Stream Access Laws
Vermont recognizes a recreation extension of the federal navigability test. Non-navigable waters have a public easement for navigation but owners of land under non-tidal waters own it up the the low-water mark.
Take Winooski River with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Winooski River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Winooski River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Winooski River and check the forecast before you go.
WINOOSKI RIVER NEAR ESSEX JUNCTION, VT
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