Vermont Spring Fish Runs: Walleye

Q: When do walleye run in Vermont?

On the Missisquoi River, usually in April through June. That timing comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office. The day each year follows the water: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office puts the walleye spawn at 5 to 11°C, or 41 to 51.8°F.

Q: What water temperature do walleye spawn at in Vermont?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office gives 5 to 11°C, or 41 to 51.8°F, for the run on the Missisquoi River. Water inside that range means the spawn can be on; within 5°F below it, the run is getting close.

Q: How can I tell if a run in Vermont is on today?

Each run card follows the usual months its source gives. The spawn itself waits on the water, so a river thermometer read against the spawning temperature on the card settles it: more than 5°F below the spawning temperature is Not yet, within 5°F is Getting close, inside the range is On, and above it late in the run is Winding down.

Q: Does a run start on the same date every year?

No. The months are the usual window, and the water sets the day: a cold spring holds a run back, and a warm one brings it forward. In Vermont, a reading at the river against the spawning temperature shows where the water stands.

Q: What is the walleye run?

Walleye leave big lakes and reservoirs for rivers, tailwaters and rocky shallows to spawn in cold water.

Q: Why do fish run in spring?

Water temperature is the main signal: each species waits for its own range. Longer days bring fish toward the rivers, and a warm rain that raises and warms the water often starts a push upstream. Walleye go first in cold water; white bass, herring and shad follow as rivers warm.

Walleye run from Lake Champlain up the Missisquoi River to the Swanton Dam, spawning April to June in water of 5 to 11°C.

Vermont at a glance

Read October 13, 2026

Run

on 1 water

Species

walleye

April

First to start

Walleye on the Missisquoi River

41 to 51.8°F

Spawning water

for walleye

Months, temperatures and places are the agency’s own, quoted on each run below. The verdict on each card is worked out in your browser against today and the months the agency gives.

Is the run on?

Every Vermont run, and where it stands today

Walleye

Walleye on the Missisquoi River

When: Usually April through June.
Spawns at: 41 to 51.8°F (5 to 11°C in the source) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office (report hosted by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department)
The run: Lake Champlain up to the Swanton Dam

Walleye spawn in the spring (April-June) just after the ice breaks in lakes and tributaries at temperatures ranging between 42o52oF (5.6o-11.1oC) (Scott and Crossman, 1979; Werner, 1980; Smith, 1985).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office (report hosted by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department), read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

The rules on this water (3) and notes

Closure2026 regulations

Riverside Cemetery (5,120’ below Swanton Dam) to 850’ below the Swanton Dam. (R–LC) Closed to Fishing: March 16 to the Friday before the first Saturday in May, both dates inclusive

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Closure2026 regulations

From the top of the Swanton Dam in the village of Swanton downstream approximately 850’ to the water treatment plant on the west side of the river, and downstream approximately 850’ to the upstream end of the cement breakwater on the east side of the river. (R–LC) Closed to Fishing: March 16–May 31

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Open season2026 regulations

Walleye 1st Sat. in May to March 15

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

Department biologists collect adult walleyes by electrofishing during the spawning runs on the Missisquoi, Winooski, and Poultney Rivers on a rotational basis (Table 1).

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Note

The temperatures recorded indicated that by early May, the temperatures were at the upper-limit for walleye spawning (Figure 3).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office (report hosted by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department), read October 13, 2026. Read it at the source

Sources

Where the Vermont runs come from

Every month, temperature, place and rule on this page is quoted from these pages, read October 13, 2026. Rules change every year, so check the current regulations before you fish.

Spawning Habitat Suitability for Walleye and Lake Sturgeon in the Missisquoi River, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Resources Office (report hosted by Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department)
Index of Rivers and Streams (Vermont Fishing Regulations), Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
Table 2: Lake Champlain Regulations, Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
Lake Champlain Walleye (2009 biologist report), Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Vermont fish run questions

When do walleye run in Vermont?

What water temperature do walleye spawn at in Vermont?

How can I tell if a run in Vermont is on today?

Does a run start on the same date every year?

What is the walleye run?

Why do fish run in spring?

Runs, months, spawning temperatures, places and rules read October 13, 2026 from the pages listed under sources. Where a state gives no temperature for a species, the figure is the species figure its publisher gives, and the card says so.

Vermont Spring Fish Runs: Walleye

Vermont at a glance

Every Vermont run, and where it stands today

Walleye on the Missisquoi River

Where the Vermont runs come from

Vermont fish run questions

More fishing in Vermont

Spring fish runs in other states