Vermont
Winooski River near Essex Junction
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.
Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.
Cautions
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Latest current reading
- Not available
Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 04290500 · 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
62°F
Feels like
64°F
Wind
2 mph NW
Wind gust
5 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
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Clear
Temp 59°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 61°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 12 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 69°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 4 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 71°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 65°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sun 12 AM
Drizzle
Temp 60°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.02 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 71°F / Low 59°F
Chance 17%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Drizzle
High 70°F / Low 54°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 75°F / Low 50°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 73°F / Low 58°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.01 in
Max gust 8 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 Winooski 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
Winooski River near Essex Junction is a northern Vermont mixed river with primary landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass plus stocked brown/rainbow trout and wild brook trout. USGS gage 04290500 provides live streamflow and stage. This record represents the Essex Junction gauge reach, not the entire Winooski system.
Target species
Landlocked Salmon
Salmo salar
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
VFWD Winooski SMA states the mainstem supports landlocked Atlantic salmon; Essex Junction is on the lower Champlain-connected reach. Dual salmon/bass primaries intentionally remain mixed/generic.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
VFWD Winooski SMA lists smallmouth bass among principal mainstem sportfish on mid/lower reaches.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
VFWD Winooski SMA associates brook trout primarily with headwater tributaries rather than the Essex Junction mainstem.
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
VFWD Winooski SMA documents brown trout on mainstem reaches; kept present so landlocked salmon and smallmouth define the mixed lower-river focus.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
VFWD Winooski SMA lists rainbow trout among lower-basin salmonid components; kept present rather than focus-driving.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Northern Vermont mainstem corridor connecting inland trout water with Lake Champlain migratory salmonid opportunity near Essex Junction.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
VFWD documents Winooski River streambank management and fishing access near Essex Junction; confirm current sites on the official VFWD fishing access search. Catalog coordinates are the USGS Essex Junction gage point.
Stocking information
VFWD stocking materials document Winooski River salmon and trout management. Confirm current stockings on the official schedule.
- Stocked
Landlocked Salmon
Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
Official sources
Salmonid and inland rules can change by section. Always verify current Vermont Fish & Wildlife regulations for the Essex Junction Winooski reach before fishing.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerConservative overlap streamer family. Not an insect Hatch claim.
- Parachute-style dryOne general surface family appropriate to mixed fisheries — not a Hatch report.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphOne general subsurface family. Not destination entomology.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
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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