Vermont
Mad River near Moretown
Current River Rating
Poor · 44
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Blocking Factors
- Flow is outside this fishery’s preferred and acceptable ranges.
Timing Evidence
Overcast or filtered daylight is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 22.7 CFS
- Gage Height
- 2.41 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04288000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
61°F
Feels like
60°F
Wind
5 mph W
Wind gust
13 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.04 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 60°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 12 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 70°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 4 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 72°F
Chance 24%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 65°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 60°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 72°F / Low 57°F
Chance 24%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 69°F / Low 53°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 74°F / Low 51°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 57°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
This stretch offers a mix of riffles, runs, and quieter pools that can hold trout through much of the season. Check the live flow and temperature readings above before planning a trip, and adjust your approach as conditions change.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Mad River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Mad River near Moretown, the central Vermont freestone tributary that fills the gap between White River and Winooski/Champlain-basin destinations. Brook, brown, and rainbow trout are the coldwater targets. USGS gage 04288000 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the Moretown gauge reach, not the Dog River or the entire Mad watershed.
Target species
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Primary native trout character on colder Mad River reaches; abundance varies by section and season.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Brown trout are common in the Mad system; wild versus stocking mix is not overstated for the Moretown gauge reach.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Stocked · Spring, FallSpring, FallRainbow trout provide stocked opportunity on managed Mad River reaches; confirm current VFWD stockings.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Central Vermont freestone tributary with wild and stocked trout components near Moretown.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Road and corridor access patterns exist near Moretown; confirm current VFWD fishing access listings and respect private land. Catalog coordinates are the USGS Moretown gage point.
Stocking information
Confirm current VFWD Mad River stockings on the official stocking schedule. Trout management can include both wild and stocked components by reach.
- Stocked · Spring, Fall
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
Official sources
Trout regulations can change by section. Verify current Vermont Fish & Wildlife regulations for the Moretown Mad reach before fishing.
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Vermont
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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