Lake Memphremagog Bass Fishing Guide
Memphremagog Bass Fishing, Season by Season
Thirty miles of clear, deep water running from Newport, Vermont across the border into Quebec, with rocky structure and smallmouth throughout. Memphremagog is the best bass water in Vermont outside Champlain, and the scenery alone justifies the drive.
Vermont's Northern Border Lake
Lake Memphremagog stretches roughly thirty miles from Newport, Vermont north across the international border to Magog, Quebec. Only the southern portion is in the United States, and that is the section this guide covers.
It is clear, deep and rocky — classic northern smallmouth water. Rocky points, drop-offs, shoals and steep shoreline dominate, with some shallower bays and weed growth in the sheltered ends holding largemouth.
Smallmouth are the main event and they are in excellent condition. Vermont's northern lakes are quietly among the best smallmouth fisheries in the Northeast, and Memphremagog is at the top of that list after Champlain. Local anglers report consistent numbers of quality fish, with topwater working well through summer.
The season is short and the water is cold, which shapes everything. Ice-out to late autumn is the window, and the fish feed accordingly — when they are on, they are properly on.
Fishing the Canadian portion requires Quebec licensing and compliance with border regulations. Stay on the Vermont side unless you have arranged otherwise. New England states set their own black bass season dates and several restrict harvest during the spawn. Check the current state regulations for this water before you go.
Rock, Shoals and a Short Season
Four patterns cover the year. Each one pairs the technique with the baits we'd actually tie on.
Ice-Out and Early Rock
Spring here means shortly after ice-out, and the fishing can be exceptional — northern smallmouth that have not seen a bait in months, moving onto shallower rock as the water warms. Vermont restricts harvest during the spawn, so check current rules before planning around it.
Topwater and Deeper Rock
Summer is the main season on a lake with this short a year. Smallmouth spread across the rock, shoals and drop-offs, and topwater works genuinely well — local reports describe catching numbers of smallmouth on top through the warm months.
Feeding Hard Before Ice
Autumn is short and intense this far north. Smallmouth group on rock and feed heavily before a long winter, and the fish are at their heaviest. The lake empties of everyone else and the Northeast Kingdom in October is worth seeing.
Ice
Northern Vermont winter freezes the lake solid. Open-water bass fishing stops entirely and the season here is genuinely short — ice-out to late autumn is the whole of it. Plan accordingly rather than assuming a southern calendar.
Lake Memphremagog Access
Newport, Vermont is the main access point at the southern end, with a state boat launch and facilities. The Canadian portion requires Quebec licensing and border compliance — stay on the Vermont side unless you have arranged otherwise.
The Rocky Points and Shoals
The primary smallmouth structure and where most of the fishing happens. Clear deep water over rock is what these fish want, and the Vermont end has plenty of it.
The Newport End
The accessible southern portion, with the state launch and the practical base for a trip. Enough water to fish properly without approaching the border.
The Sheltered Bays
Weed growth and largemouth in the more protected ends, and the alternative when wind makes the open lake unpleasant — which on thirty miles of north-south water it frequently does.
Lake Memphremagog Bass Fishing FAQ
Where is Lake Memphremagog?
Running roughly thirty miles from Newport, Vermont north across the international border to Magog, Quebec. Only the southern portion is in the United States, and that is the section covered here.
Can I fish the Canadian side?
Not on a Vermont license. Fishing the Quebec portion requires Quebec licensing and compliance with border regulations. Stay on the Vermont side unless you have arranged otherwise in advance.
Is it good for smallmouth?
Yes — it is the best bass water in Vermont outside Champlain. Clear, deep, rocky northern water in excellent condition, with consistent numbers of quality fish and topwater working well through summer.
How short is the season?
Ice-out to late autumn, and that is the whole of it. Northern Vermont freezes the lake solid in winter. The short season is part of why the fish feed as hard as they do when conditions allow.
When is the best time to go?
Shortly after ice-out for exceptional early fishing, and through summer for the topwater. Autumn is short and intense with the heaviest fish of the year. All three are worth planning around.
What about Champlain?
Champlain is the bigger and better-known Vermont bass fishery and has its own guide on this site, filed under New York since the tournaments run out of Plattsburgh. Memphremagog is the next best thing in the state and sees far less attention.
What baits work best on Memphremagog?
Jerkbaits and finesse plastics on rock in cold water, topwater over shoals through summer, and moving baits in autumn. Clear northern water rewards natural colours and light line. Our full bait lineup covers the range.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes, a Vermont fishing license for the US portion. Vermont sets its own black bass season dates and restricts harvest during the spawn — check current regulations before you go.
Cold Water, Hot Fish
Northern smallmouth in clear cold water pull harder than their weight suggests and take light line for granted. Level Rods builds spinning models with the forgiveness to survive that first run and the sensitivity to detect a bite in water barely above freezing.
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