Joe's Pond
Joe's Pond in Danville is a three-basin, 396-acre pond famous for its Ice-Out Contest, stocked with trophy rainbow trout and holding brook and brown trout over water up to 90 feet deep.
Overview
Joe's Pond spreads across three connected basins along Route 2 in West Danville, nearly three miles end to end. The pond is best known statewide for the Joe's Pond Ice-Out Contest, in which thousands of ticketholders wager on the exact minute a cinder block falls through the spring ice. Under the surface it is a serious trout fishery: the main basin reaches about 90 feet, and Vermont Fish and Wildlife stocks 300 two-year-old rainbows under the 2026 trophy program alongside brook and brown trout.
The multi-basin layout gives fly anglers options. The deep first basin fishes like a coldwater lake — sinking lines over the drop-offs early and late in the year — while the shallower middle and upper basins warm faster and produce midge and Callibaetis fishing over the flats. The narrows between basins concentrate cruising fish and are natural ambush points for a streamer. A state launch off Route 2 serves trailered boats.
Depth & Character
- Surface Area
- 396acres
- Max Depth
- 90ft
- Elevation
- 1551ft
Bathymetric depth chart — click to open the full PDF. Source: Vermont DEC.
Source: Vermont DEC
Water Characteristics
Three basins at 1,551 feet: a deep, cold main basin near 90 feet and progressively shallower middle and upper basins connected by narrows. Water clarity is good, with weedbeds developing in the shallower sections by midsummer.
Stocking
| Species | Size | Number | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 2-year-old | 300 | Trophy Trout Program (2026) |
Access & Boats
A state fishing access and boat launch off Edgewood Road, just off US Route 2 in West Danville, provides trailer access to the lower basin. Camps ring much of the shoreline, so boat fishing is the standard approach.
Ice Fishing
A busy winter pond for perch and trout, with the famous Ice-Out Contest block marking the end of the hardwater season.
Fishing Pressure & Local Tips
Moderate. Joe's is a beloved local pond with steady recreational traffic in summer; trout anglers own the early mornings and the shoulder seasons.
Local Knowledge
Fish the narrows between the basins with a Thin Mint or small bugger as fish transit at dawn, then follow the chironomid emergence into the second basin as the light comes up.
Species Present
Rainbow Trout
The rainbow trout is Montana's most widespread and popular gamefish, celebrated for its explosive surface strikes, aerial acrobatics, and willingness to take a well-presented dry fly. Native to Pacific Coast drainages from Alaska to Mexico, rainbows were first introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established thriving populations in nearly every major river system in the state. On legendary waters like the Madison, Missouri, and Bighorn, wild rainbow trout grow fat on prolific insect hatches and provide some of the finest dry-fly fishing in North America. Rainbow trout in Montana display remarkable variation depending on their home water. Fish in nutrient-rich tailwaters like the Missouri River below Holter Dam can exceed 20 inches with regularity, their deep bodies and broad tails reflecting the abundant food supply. Freestone river rainbows, such as those in the upper Madison and Gallatin, tend to be leaner and more athletic, shaped by faster currents and colder water temperatures. In many Montana rivers, rainbows spawn in the spring from March through June, and anglers should be mindful of spawning redds during this period to protect future generations of fish. Rainbows are arguably the most versatile trout species for fly anglers. They respond well to dry flies during hatches, aggressively chase streamers, and feed heavily on nymphs subsurface throughout the year. Their fighting ability is legendary: a hooked rainbow will often launch itself completely out of the water multiple times during a battle. Montana's catch-and-release regulations on many blue-ribbon streams have produced exceptional rainbow trout fisheries with high densities of large, healthy fish that continue to draw anglers from around the world.
Brook Trout
The brook trout is widely considered the most beautiful freshwater fish in North America, and catching one in a pristine Montana mountain stream is an experience that captures the essence of backcountry fly fishing. Despite their common name, brook trout are not true trout at all; they are a species of char (genus Salvelinus), more closely related to lake trout and Arctic char than to rainbows or browns. Native to eastern North America from Georgia to Hudson Bay, brook trout were among the first salmonids introduced to Montana's waters in the late 1800s and have since established self-sustaining populations in cold, high-elevation streams and lakes throughout the state. In Montana, brook trout thrive best in small, cold headwater streams and high mountain lakes where competition from larger trout species is minimal. In these environments, they are often the dominant, or only, salmonid present. The trade-off is size: Montana stream-dwelling brook trout typically range from 6 to 10 inches, with fish over 12 inches considered noteworthy in most waters. What they lack in size, however, they more than make up for in beauty and willingness to eat a fly. Brookies are aggressive feeders that will strike attractor dry flies, nymphs, and small streamers with enthusiasm, making them an ideal species for beginning fly anglers and a delightful quarry for anyone who appreciates small-stream fishing. Brook trout do present a conservation paradox in Montana. While they are a beloved and beautiful gamefish, they are non-native and can negatively impact native species, particularly Yellowstone and westslope cutthroat trout. In headwater streams, brook trout often outcompete cutthroats for food and spawning habitat due to their higher reproductive rate and earlier maturation. As a result, Montana FWP has implemented brook trout removal projects on some streams to restore native cutthroat populations. In many waters, liberal harvest limits for brook trout are encouraged to reduce their numbers and benefit native fish. Anglers can enjoy excellent brook trout fishing while actively helping conservation by keeping a few for the pan.
Brown Trout
The brown trout is the most cunning and elusive trout species swimming in Montana's rivers, and it rewards patient, skilled anglers with some of the state's most memorable catches. Originally native to Europe and western Asia, brown trout were first introduced to North American waters in 1883 and arrived in Montana shortly thereafter. They have since established robust, self-sustaining populations in virtually every major trout stream in the state, from the legendary spring creeks of the Paradise Valley to the sweeping runs of the lower Madison and the deep pools of the Bighorn. Brown trout grow larger than any other trout species in Montana, and fish exceeding 24 inches are caught with regularity on premium waters. The lower Madison River, the Missouri River below Holter Dam, and the Bighorn River are particularly renowned for producing trophy-class browns. Unlike rainbows, brown trout spawn in the fall (October through November), and their aggressive pre-spawn behavior creates an exciting window for streamer fishing as large males become territorial and attack anything that enters their domain. Browns are notably more nocturnal than other trout species, and many of the biggest fish are caught during low-light conditions. What sets brown trout apart from other species is their wariness and selectivity. Large browns are notoriously difficult to fool, often refusing flies that are even slightly off in size, color, or presentation. They tend to establish and defend prime feeding lies (undercut banks, logjams, deep pools, and boulder gardens), and an angler who learns to read water and identify these holding spots will consistently catch more and larger fish. This combination of difficulty, size potential, and intelligence makes the brown trout the most prized quarry for many serious Montana fly fishers.
Food Sources & Hatches
| Insect | Suggested Fly | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chironomids (midges) morning | Chironomid (Bomber) | ||||||||||||
Callibaetis Mayflies afternoon | Parachute Adams | ||||||||||||
Leeches morning | Thin Mint |
Chironomids (midges): Strong emergences in the second and third basins; fish 10-18 feet down.
Callibaetis Mayflies: Speckled duns over the shallower upper basins; size 14-16.
Leeches: Thin Mint through the narrows at dawn intercepts fish moving between basins.
Recommended Flies
Chironomid (Bomber)
Top PickChironomid emergences in the middle basins; fish 10-18 feet down.
Best in spring
Thin Mint
Top PickThin Mint through the narrows at dawn intercepts traveling trout.
Best in summer
Also Effective
Access Points & Boat Launches
Joe's Pond Fishing Access
Boat LaunchEasyState fishing access and launch off Edgewood Road near US Route 2 in West Danville, serving the pond's lower basin. Trailer-friendly, with the narrows and deep basin a short run away.
Regulations
Regulations
Designated trophy trout water: 2-fish daily limit on trout with no length minimum. General season runs from the second Saturday in April through October 31. Vermont fishing license required. Verify current rules at vtfishandwildlife.com.
Always verify current regulations with Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department before fishing.
Quick Facts
- Surface Area
- 396 acres
- Max Depth
- 90 ft
- Elevation
- 1551 ft
- Lake Type
- Natural Lake
- Region
- Northeast Kingdom / Caledonia County
- Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall
- Species
- Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Brown Trout
- Depth Chart
- Download PDF
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