Vermont
Poultney River below Fair Haven
Location Snapshot
Poultney River below Fair Haven is a mixed western Vermont river linking trout water with Lake Champlain-influenced coolwater habitat. The principal supported targets are brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout, with smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and yellow perch providing additional species variety within the same fishery.
Current River Rating
Fair · 56
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Timing Outlook
This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Fair.
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.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 52.7 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.93 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 9:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04280000 · 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
37°F
Feels like
32°F
Wind
2 mph NE
Wind gust
3 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 4:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 6 AM
Clear
Temp 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 10 AM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 12 mph
Tue 2 PM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 13 mph
Tue 6 PM
Clear
Temp 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 39°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 56°F / Low 36°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 26 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Mostly clear
High 56°F / Low 35°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 60°F / Low 35°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 28 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Partly cloudy
High 50°F / Low 33°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 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
The Poultney River below Fair Haven is the Lake Champlain reach upstream to the dam at Carver Falls.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Poultney 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
Target species
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Official sources
Hatch Match
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Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Rutland, 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.
River Details
County
Rutland
Management Category
Trout stream
Regulation Scope
Poultney River (Lake Champlain boundary reaches).
Regulation Summary
Lake Champlain boundary-water and Vermont inland regulations apply on designated Poultney reaches (including Fair Haven to Carver Falls corridor). Confirm current seasons and limits on the official VFWD regulations page.
Target Species
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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