Fishing Lake Willoughby

AKA: Willoughby State Park Lake

Popular Fish Species
Lake Willoughby Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Lake Willoughby, VT

Popular Fish Species Lake Willoughby, VT

Lake Willoughby Popular Fish - Rainbow Trout

Rainbow Trout Fishing

This year, fishing for rainbow trout in Lake Willoughby is on the rise. Fish for rainbow trout here with worms, salmon eggs, prepared baits, small spinners, spoons, and crankbaits in vibrant colors to mimic their preferred prey. Additionally, floating or sinking flies, such as nymphs, streamers, or dry flies, are popular choices for fly anglers targeting rainbow trout. Trolling with lures or flies behind a boat, casting near shoreline structures, or still fishing with bait can all yield success. Adjusting lure size, color, and retrieve speed can enhance chances of enticing these colorful and spirited fish. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

Lake Willoughby Popular Fish - Lake Torut

Lake Trout Fishing

Year round, fishing for lake trout in Lake Willoughby can be quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout can be caught shallow in Spring and Fall, until the water temperature exceeds about 50 degrees. The rest of the year they stay deep, sometimes as deep as 150 feet or more. It is a monumental help to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches. Lake Willoughby also has a population of landlocked salmon, which are often caught using the same tactics as fishing for lake trout. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons and a variety of jigs that imitate baitfish, can deliver some great catches.

Lake Willoughby Popular Fish - Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Fishing

Lake Willoughby continues to have a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake as well. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line. They make for an excellent fish fry, are a food source for many of the larger predator fish in the lake, and they are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing.

Lake Willoughby Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for rainbow trout, lake trout, yellow perch and landlocked salmon at Lake Willoughby in Vermont.

Considered a healthy fishery for landlocked salmon, Lake Willoughby also features trout and perch. This 1,700-acre lake is located at Westmore. There are 10 miles of shoreline.

One of the most sought-after fish species here is the rainbow trout. Another prized catch here is lake trout, also known as "togue." These cold-water predators can grow to impressive sizes. Lake Willoughby is also known for its atlantic salmon population. This species is stocked in the lake, providing additional excitement for anglers. Yellow perch are abundant as well and provide an excellent option for anglers looking for a fun and family-friendly fishing experience. Check out fishing reports for popular species at Lake Willoughby.

About half of the shoreline around the lake are developed with homes and boat docks. There is a boat launch ramp at Lake Willoughby Boat Access, located on the northeast shore. Bank fishing and boat access for portage of portables, kayaks and canoes is available at the southern tip of the lake, at Lake Willoughby South Beach.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Willoughby

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Willoughby Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Willoughby Boat Access, Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off State Route 5A, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.