Lake Bomoseen is a lake in Vermont, near Rutland County.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
Lake Bomoseen covers 2,415.1 acres in Rutland County, Vermont. The recorded maximum depth at the lake is 65 feet. The documented storage volume is about 65,207.7 acre-feet.
The lake supports a varied fishing plan built around northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, and yellow perch. At this Bomoseen fishery, its size, depth and exact basin shape matter because those fish do not use the same water in the same season.
The lake is Vermont’s largest lake lying entirely within the state. Islands, long bays, shallow plant growth and a 65-foot basin divide the 2,415-acre lake into several distinct fisheries.
Bomoseen’s glacial basin drains west through the Castleton River system. Brown trout are stocked separately from a warmwater community that includes pike, both bass species, crappie and yellow perch.
Fish reported from the lake include black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, brown trout, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rainbow smelt, rock bass, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. On this 2,415.1-acre Bomoseen basin, stocking also supports brown trout already reported from the lake. For Bomoseen in Rutland County, stocking describes management activity at the lake; it does not guarantee those fish at every spot or on every trip.
At this Bomoseen fishery, low light favors a topwater or spinnerbait for largemouth; brighter conditions call for a slower presentation beside cover. On this 2,415.1-acre Bomoseen basin, use a tube, Ned rig or small swimbait for smallmouth where firm bottom meets deeper water.
For Bomoseen in Rutland County, crappie at the lake respond to a small jig or live minnow beside brush and suspended cover. At this Bomoseen fishery, use a tiny jig or natural bait under a float when fishing the lake for bluegill and related sunfish. On this 2,415.1-acre Bomoseen basin, a small minnow or worm on a light rig fits yellow perch fishing at the lake.
For Bomoseen in Rutland County, use a spoon or flashy swimbait along the weed edge when targeting northern pike.
At this Bomoseen fishery, use a nightcrawler on a light bottom rig for bullheads, especially in quiet water after sunset.
For brown trout in the lake, use a small spoon, inline spinner, trout magnet or natural bait on light line. On this 2,415.1-acre Bomoseen basin, trout often move from shallow spring water toward cooler or deeper water in the lake as temperatures rise.
For Bomoseen in Rutland County, the lake has enough depth for fish to separate by temperature and forage. At this Bomoseen fishery, identify the working band instead of treating the deepest basin as the automatic target. On this 2,415.1-acre Bomoseen basin, change lure depth before abandoning a promising point or break.
For Bomoseen in Rutland County, early spring on the lake calls for a slow presentation near the first break outside protected water. At this Bomoseen fishery, at midday in summer, anglers there should slow down beside shade, weeds or a nearby depth change. On this 2,415.1-acre Bomoseen basin, fall on the lake is a good time for small crankbaits and swimbaits around moving forage.
Use tubes on rocky points and island structure for smallmouth, then pitch a worm around bay vegetation for largemouth. Pike call for spoons along outside weeds, while brown trout require cooler water and smelt-shaped lures.
For Bomoseen in Rutland County, a medium spinning rod with 8- to 10-pound line handles jigs, small crankbaits and live-bait rigs on the lake. Add stout tackle, leader material, long pliers and a large net for pike-family fish at the lake.
Divide the lake into three stops: a protected shallow area, the best firm-bottom point and the deepest useful structure. At this Bomoseen fishery, fish each with one moving lure and one slower bait, then repeat the first pattern that produces twice.
It is the largest lake located entirely within Vermont’s borders.
Islands, long bays, vegetation and the main 65-foot basin create separate fishing zones.
Use rock and island structure for smallmouth, then protected weeds and softer cover for largemouth.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.