Lake Fairlee Fishing near Orford, Vermont

• Overview

  Lake Fairlee lies in Orange County, in Vermont. This is pine and birch country. This is sizeable water at about 462 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. The perimeter runs near 5.6 miles, so plan the walk before you start. It is among the larger waters listed here for Orange County. For supplies, Orford is 4.5 miles out. Manchester is the closest city, 73 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Lake Fairlee

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Orange County records list brook trout, rainbow trout, white sucker and longnose sucker among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Work Lake Fairlee in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 17°F in January to roughly 67°F in July. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. Averages place the thaw at early April and the freeze at early December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. That is the shape of the year on Lake Fairlee.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Lake Fairlee Boat Ramp provides a boat ramp about half a mile away. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. There is a jetty half a mile off, worth knowing on a busy day. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Middle Brook Pond sits 2.1 miles off and takes the overflow. For Lake Fairlee in particular, ask before you travel.