Hardwick Lake Fishing near Hardwick, Vermont

• Overview

  Hardwick Lake lies in Caledonia County, in Vermont. Height above sea level is 797 feet. It measures about 101 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Some 3.1 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. The closest town, Hardwick, is 1.7 miles distant. Beyond it, Morrisville at 11 miles and Morristown at 12 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Hardwick Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Public occurrence data for Caledonia County names rainbow trout, brook trout and pumpkinseed. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Work Hardwick Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 66°F, the coldest about 14°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Count the season from break-up, usually mid April. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Plan any trip to Hardwick Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. Recorded parking is 0.9 miles off, far enough to travel light. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Wapanacki Lake sits 2.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Hardwick Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.