Fishing Emerald Lake in Bennington County, Vermont

• Overview

  Emerald Lake is listed under Bennington County, Vermont. This is rolling bush ground. Surface area is around 31 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. 4.9 miles away sits Danby, the nearest town. Manchester Center lies 7.3 miles off, Pawlet another 9.9 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Emerald Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Reported across Bennington County: brook trout, brown trout, white sucker, brown bullhead and longnose sucker. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. On Emerald Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 65°F in July and bottom out at 17°F in January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid April. Open water usually runs from mid April until about early December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. It holds true on Emerald Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Griffith Lake, 3.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Signs at Emerald Lake carry more weight than any list.