Doughty Pond Fishing Guide, Rutland County, Vermont

• Overview

  The Rutland County end of Vermont holds Doughty Pond. Around the bank it is rolling bush. The water measures roughly 13 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Nearest town is Ticonderoga, 9.4 miles off. Brandon follows at 10 miles, then Fair Haven at 11 miles. Near neighbours include: Spruce Pond (0.4 miles), Perch Pond just 0.5 miles, Sunset Lake (0.7 miles), Mud Pond just 0.8 miles and Sunrise Lake (1.1 miles). The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Doughty Pond

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Rutland County cover bluegill, brook trout and brown trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Anyone new to Doughty Pond should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 70°F, the coldest about 18°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about mid December. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Time your trip to Doughty Pond by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Spruce Pond, 0.4 miles out. Confirm before you fish Doughty Pond.