Lake Rescue
Lake Rescue in Ludlow is the lowest and largest lake of the Black River chain, one of Vermont's ten deepest lakes at about 93 feet, stocked with trophy rainbow trout alongside wild brown trout.
Overview
Lake Rescue gathers the Black River below Echo Lake, spreading 184 acres across a main basin and shallower coves north of Ludlow. DEC bathymetry puts the deep hole at about 93 feet, ranking Rescue among the ten deepest lakes in the state, and the cold lower layer carries trout through the hottest weather. The 2026 trophy program adds 250 two-year-old rainbows to a fishery that also produces brown trout, bass, and pickerel.
The lake rewards anglers who fish the transitions: the river mouth where Echo Lake's outflow enters, the narrows between basins, and the abrupt 40-foot contour along the eastern shore. Spring chironomid fishing over the deep basin is the most consistent fly game, while fall brings browns shallow to chase smelt and yearling perch, when a Muddler Minnow twitched over the shoals can produce the fish of the season. A state access off Route 100 provides the launch.
Depth & Character
- Surface Area
- 184acres
- Max Depth
- 93ft
- Mean Depth
- 24ft
- Elevation
- 1043ft
Bathymetric depth chart — click to open the full PDF. Source: Vermont DEC.
Source: Vermont DEC
Water Characteristics
A deep, cold main basin near 93 feet with a mean depth of 24 feet, connected to shallower weedy coves. The Black River flows through, keeping oxygen and forage moving all season.
Stocking
| Species | Size | Number | Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | 2-year-old | 250 | Trophy Trout Program (2026) |
Access & Boats
A state fishing access and boat launch off Route 100 (Fishing Access Road) in Ludlow serves the lake. Camps line much of the shore, so plan on boat fishing; the narrows and river mouth are short runs from the ramp.
Ice Fishing
Fished through the ice for trout, smelt, and perch over the main basin.
Fishing Pressure & Local Tips
Moderate. Summer recreation is lively, but the trout water — deep edges at dawn and dusk — sees few fly rods.
Local Knowledge
In late September, work the shoal at the mouth of the narrows with a Muddler on an intermediate line — pre-spawn browns stage there and the biggest fish in the chain eat in two feet of water.
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.
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) | ||||||||||||
Rainbow Smelt (post ice-out) morning | Grey Ghost | ||||||||||||
Leeches evening | Thin Mint |
Chironomids (midges): The most consistent fly game on the lake; fish the main basin edges.
Rainbow Smelt (post ice-out): Smelt runs pull rainbows and browns shallow in the weeks after ice-out.
Leeches: Thin Mint along the 40-foot contour picks up cruising fish through summer.
Recommended Flies
Chironomid (Bomber)
Top PickChironomid fishing over the main basin edges; the lake's most consistent tactic.
Best in spring
Muddler Minnow
Top PickMuddler on an intermediate line over the narrows shoal for staging pre-spawn browns.
Best in fall
Also Effective
Access Points & Boat Launches
Lake Rescue Fishing Access
Boat LaunchEasyState fishing access and boat launch off Route 100 via Fishing Access Road in Ludlow. Trailer-friendly ramp with the narrows, river mouth, and deep basin all within a short run.
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
- 184 acres
- Max Depth
- 93 ft
- Elevation
- 1043 ft
- Lake Type
- Natural Lake
- Region
- Southern Vermont / Windsor County
- Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall
- Species
- Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
- Depth Chart
- Download PDF
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