Best Fishing Times in Vermont This Week

Q: What are the solunar times in Vermont this week?

The table above shows the next 7 days for Burlington, Manchester and Newport, with each day's major and minor periods, sunrise and sunset, and a rating from Fair to Best. For your own spot, enter a ZIP on the best fishing times page.

Q: Do I need a fishing license in Vermont?

The Vermont fishing license page has what a resident and nonresident license costs and where to buy one, read from the state's own regulations.

Q: When does ice fishing start in Vermont?

The Vermont ice fishing page tracks when lakes freeze and what the agency says about safe ice. The solunar windows here work the same through the ice; winter tips favor mid to late afternoon.

Q: Does the moon really affect fishing?

The solunar windows are the old angler's rule, and the studies are mixed. Dawn and dusk are the reliable part: fish feed in low light. So each day here is rated on the moon phase and on whether a moon window meets sunrise or sunset, with the weather as a smaller nudge.

Q: Is today a good day to fish in Vermont?

Each town's card above rates today Fair, Good, Great or Best. The rating adds up the moon phase, whether a moon window meets sunrise or sunset, and the National Weather Service forecast for that town: pressure, fronts, wind, rain, cloud and thunder. A Fair day still has its dawn and dusk.

Near Burlington, Manchester and Newport: today on a 24 hour timeline and the next seven days rated Fair to Best.

Working out the moon and the sun for Burlington, VT, and reading the forecast.

Fishing somewhere else? Enter any ZIP for your own spot

Photo: “Fall fishing on the Madison River at sunrise”, Jacob W. Frank, Yellowstone National Park (NPS), Public domain

Vermont at a glance

Solunar windows plus the agency calendar

Towns rated this week

Burlington, Manchester and Newport

Solunar windows a day

two majors, two minors, set against sunrise and sunset

Dated entries from the agency

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Fish the calendar names

trout, walleye and lake trout

The fishing year

When fish bite in Vermont

Vermont's fishing year turns on the trout opener in April and walleye in early May, lake trout in the shallows after ice out, and yellow perch, the top target for winter anglers.

Each entry below is from Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department or its published guides, quoted word for word and linked. Line the season up with the week above: a run in its prime and a Great day with a window at first light is the morning to take off.

April
Trout
Vermont's trout season opened on Saturday, April 11 in 2026.
“Vermont’s trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 11.”
Vermont’s Trout Season Opens April 11, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 9, 2026
Early May
Walleye
The walleye season opened Saturday, May 3 in 2025, bringing back some of the best walleye fishing in New England.
“The Vermont walleye fishing season opens on Saturday, May 3, marking the return of some of the best walleye fishing in New England.”
Vermont Walleye Fishing Season Opens Saturday, May 3, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 9, 2026
Spring after ice out, then summer
Lake trout
Lake trout can be found in shallow water after ice out in spring before they move deeper in summer.
“Similar to salmon, lake trout can be found in shallow water after ice-out in the spring before moving deeper in the summer.”
Lake Trout | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 9, 2026
Winter
Yellow perch
Yellow perch are the most popular target for Vermont's winter anglers, usually caught on small jigs tipped with maggots or perch eyes.
“Yellow perch are the most popular target for Vermont’s winter anglers, who typically use small jigs tipped with maggots or perch-eyes to catch this abundant, tasty species.”
Yellow Perch | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 9, 2026

Before you go

License, stocking and ice in Vermont

Vermont fishing licenseWhat a license costs and where to buy one.Vermont trout stockingWhere and when the state stocks trout.Vermont ice fishingWhen the lakes freeze and the ice is safe.Vermont daylightSunrise, sunset and day length all year.

How the days are rated

Reading the Vermont timeline

Each day has two major solunar periods of about two hours, centered on the moon overhead and underfoot, and two minor periods of about an hour at moonrise and moonset. A window within an hour of sunrise or sunset is marked in gold. The rating adds the moon phase, the gold windows and a capped nudge from the National Weather Service forecast for each town. Every factor and its points.

Dawn and dusk are the reliable part; the moon windows are the old angler’s rule.

An angler in a cap seen from behind, holding a rod over a calm lake at dusk, with a bobber on pink water and a pine shore beyond — Walleye fishing on a northern Wisconsin lake at dusk. The Wisconsin DNR says that in clear waters walleye stay deep in the day and move into the shallows at night, which is why the hour around sunset is shaded on every timeline here. “Fishing in northern Wisconsin for walleye”, Joanna Gilkeson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region, Public domain

Vermont fishing times questions

When is the best time to fish in Vermont?

What are the solunar times in Vermont this week?

When do trout bite in Vermont?

When do walleye bite in Vermont?

Do I need a fishing license in Vermont?

When does ice fishing start in Vermont?

Does the moon really affect fishing?

Is today a good day to fish in Vermont?

Vermont at a glance

When fish bite in Vermont

Trout

Walleye

Lake trout

Yellow perch

License, stocking and ice in Vermont

Reading the Vermont timeline

Vermont fishing times questions

Best fishing times in other states