Ice fishing in Vermont: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

1. Lake Champlain

Lake Champlain spreads over 278,000 acres of water. The fish here are northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. It goes down to about 400 ft. The lake bed gives you two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Lake Champlain today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Bomoseen

Lake Bomoseen is a natural lake of some 2,400 acres. You will find it about 1.8 miles southwest of Fair Haven. The fish here are trout, yellow perch, northern pike and catfish. At about 65 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Lake Bomoseen is the largest lake located entirely within Vermont. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Lake Bomoseen today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Seymour Lake

Seymour Lake is a natural lake of 1,730 acres of water. The lake is near Newport. It holds trout and yellow perch. At about 169 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Seymour Lake is one of Vermont's deepest lakes and is known for cold, oligotrophic water. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Seymour Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Willoughby

At some 1,690 acres, Lake Willoughby is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it near Newport. The fish here are trout, lake trout and yellow perch. It goes down to about 300 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help. Under the ice, trout: cold. Slow and near the surface on sunny days.

Lake Willoughby today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Carmi

Lake Carmi is a natural lake of some 1,380 acres. You will find it about 4.8 miles southeast of Enosburg Falls. Northern pike and walleye are the draw. The deepest water is around 33 ft. Lake Carmi drains north into Quebec's Pike River and is a popular pike and walleye fishery. Under the ice, northern pike: cold. Slow baits near weed edges and drop-offs.

Lake Carmi today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake is a natural lake of 760 acres of water. You will find it near Newport. The fish here are lake trout, trout, yellow perch and smallmouth bass. At about 100 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs worth a first look. Crystal Lake supports a wild, self-sustaining native lake trout population. Under the ice, lake trout: cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

Crystal Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Whitingham

Lake Whitingham spreads over 2,040 acres of water. You will find it near Dover. Like most lakes its size in Vermont, it should hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and largemouth bass. It goes down to about 180 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Harriman Reservoir, also called Lake Whitingham, is a Deerfield River hydroelectric impoundment and one of Vermont's largest bodies of water. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Whitingham today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Somerset Reservoir

At about 1,130 acres, Somerset Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it about 7.2 miles southeast of Dover. Like most lakes its size in Vermont, it should hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and largemouth bass. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Somerset Reservoir is a remote hydroelectric impoundment high in Vermont's Green Mountains, part of the Deerfield River hydro system. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Somerset Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Dunmore

Lake Dunmore covers some 980 acres. You will find it about 1 miles west of Salisbury. Like most lakes its size in Vermont, it should hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and largemouth bass. It goes down to about 105 ft. Lake Dunmore drains via the Leicester River into Otter Creek and eventually Lake Champlain. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Dunmore today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Connecticut River Reservoir

At about 910 acres, Connecticut River Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it near Saint Johnsbury. Like most lakes its size in Vermont, it should hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch and largemouth bass. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Connecticut River Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

• Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
• A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
• A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
• A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
• Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie