The Champlain Basin

Lake Champlain

The Champlain Basin looked significantly different millions of years ago. Nearly all of New England was covered by a mile thick sheet of ice known as the Laurentide Glacier. As the climate changed over time, the glacier melted and eventually formed what was known as the Champlain Sea, an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean.

As the glacier receded farther north, the land below slowly decompressed, isolating the Champlain sea from the main body of the Atlantic and forming what we know today as Lake Champlain .

Because of its size, Lake Champlain is able to support a wide variety of fish, bird, mammal, and insect species.

From the Mountains to the Lake

Vermont’s Green Mountains and New York’s Adirondacks are home to over 30 major tributaries, and hundreds of inland ponds and lakes.

The diversity of the watershed allows for targeting dozens of species on the fly depending on the season and the weather.

Some of our favorite fish to target include Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Pickerel, Trout, Carp, Salmon, and whatever else is biting.

  • Winooski River

    Known as the Onion River, the Winooski river is a 90 mile tributary of Lake Champlain. At its headwaters, the Winooski is a healthy trout fishery but develops into more of a warm water fishery as it gets closer to the lake.

  • Lamoille River

    The Lamoille River is an 85 mile tributary of Lake Champlain known for elusive but larger fish.

  • Otter Creek

    A diverse but technical fishery, this is a great place to target multiple species. At 112 miles long, Otter Creek is Vermont’s longest river.

  • Mississqoui River

    Big Water = Big Fish. Explore the northern half of the watershed on the mighy Mississqoui River. Pike, Musky, and big brown trout can be expected in these waters.

  • White River

    Vermonts longest freestone river. A historic trout fishery that is now home to a flourishing smallmouth population.

  • Lakes and Ponds

    Vermont is home to dozens of differet lakes and ponds that provide anglers with diverse fishing opportunities.