StrikeTracks

Vermont

Winooski River near Essex Junction

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Location Snapshot

Winooski River near Essex Junction is a large northern Vermont river approaching Lake Champlain through a corridor of pools, riffles, and deeper mainstem water. Smallmouth bass and landlocked salmon are important targets, while trout add another component to a fishery influenced by both river habitat and the nearby lake system.

Current River Rating

Good

Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.

Low confidence

Estimated Conditions

Estimated from available current readings, weather, seasonal patterns, destination characteristics, and historical conditions. Some important on-water measurements may be unavailable.

Should I Go?

Consider

Timing Outlook

This timing outlook is informational only; current river conditions remain Good.

Why

  • Water temperature is unavailable.

Current Readings

Flow
458 CFS
Gage Height
2.08 ft
Water Temperature
Not available
Observation Time
Oct 21, 2026, 1:30 AM

Updated recently · USGS station 04290500 · Direct monitoring location

Readings from past 7 Days

Loading readings from the past 7 days…

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

Short-term rainfall and flow-change signals

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Weather Near Gauge

Current Weather

Clear

Temperature

44°F

Feels like

38°F

Wind

5 mph N

Wind gust

8 mph

Current precipitation

0.00 in

Updated

Oct 20, 2026, 9:15 PM

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 11 PM

    Clear

    Temp 42°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 2 mph

  • Wed 3 AM

    Clear

    Temp 37°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 4 mph

  • Wed 7 AM

    Clear

    Temp 35°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 1 mph

  • Wed 11 AM

    Clear

    Temp 48°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 3 mph

  • Wed 3 PM

    Clear

    Temp 55°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 3 mph

  • Wed 7 PM

    Clear

    Temp 45°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Wind 3 mph

Four-Day Forecast

  • Tue, Oct 20

    Overcast

    High 60°F / Low 34°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 20 mph

  • Wed, Oct 21

    Clear

    High 55°F / Low 35°F

    Chance 0%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 8 mph

  • Thu, Oct 22

    Overcast

    High 52°F / Low 36°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 27 mph

  • Fri, Oct 23

    Overcast

    High 49°F / Low 34°F

    Chance 1%

    Precip 0.00 in

    Max gust 20 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

Landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass are in the mixed fishery on the Winooski River near Essex Junction.

Fishery Profile

Documented species you may encounter at Winooski River.

Medium confidenceLast verified: Jul 13, 2026

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

Fishery characteristics

Composition
Mixed wild and stocked
Great Lakes tributary
No
Flow regime
Mixed flow regime

Best seasons

  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall

Common techniques

  • Boat fishing
  • Fly fishing
  • Shore fishing
  • Spinning

Stocking information

  • Landlocked Salmon

    Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

    Stocked

  • Brown Trout

    Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

    Stocked

  • Rainbow Trout

    Stocked · Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

    Stocked

Official sources

Hatch Match

No destination-specific hatch data is currently available.

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

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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

Verified access notes and official resources for Winooski River near Essex Junction. This is StrikeTracks guidance — always confirm with official sources.

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