Silver Lake (Barnard)
Silver Lake is an 84-acre village lake in Barnard fronted by Silver Lake State Park, offering stocked rainbow and brook trout in spring and fall alongside a lively warmwater fishery.
Overview
Silver Lake sits at the center of Barnard, its state park beach within walking distance of the village general store — one of Vermont's most charming lake settings. The lake covers 84 acres and reaches about 30 feet at its deepest, warming enough by midsummer that largemouth bass, pike, and panfish dominate the shallows. Stocked rainbow and brook trout provide the fly fishing, concentrated in the cooler months and the deeper water off the lake's center.
Fish it as a shoulder-season trout lake: April through June and again from September, when stocked trout cruise the drop-offs and take chironomids, small buggers, and Parachute Adams during callibaetis and midge activity. In summer, shift expectations to bass and bluegill along the weedlines — a fine way to spend an evening with a floating line and small poppers. The state park provides a beach, boat rentals, and a launch for cartop craft.
Depth & Character
- Surface Area
- 84acres
- Max Depth
- 30ft
- Elevation
- 1306ft
Bathymetric depth chart — click to open the full PDF. Source: Vermont DEC.
Source: Vermont DEC
Water Characteristics
A moderately shallow lake reaching 30 feet, with weedy margins and a soft center basin. Summer stratification is weak, so trout fishing is a spring and fall pursuit.
Access & Boats
Silver Lake State Park on the north shore offers a beach, campground, boat rentals, and a small launch for cartop boats and canoes; a public fishing access serves the lake as well. The village of Barnard is a short walk away.
Ice Fishing
A local ice fishing pond for perch, pike, and holdover trout.
Fishing Pressure & Local Tips
Moderate in beach season, light for anglers; early mornings before the park opens are effectively private.
Local Knowledge
Paddle out from the park launch at first light in May and fish the 20-foot contour with a slow-trolled black Woolly Bugger — freshly stocked rainbows patrol that line before boat traffic starts.
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.
Food Sources & Hatches
| Insect | Suggested Fly | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Callibaetis Mayflies afternoon | Parachute Adams | ||||||||||||
Chironomids (midges) morning | Zebra Midge | ||||||||||||
Leeches morning | Black Woolly Bugger |
Callibaetis Mayflies: Speckled duns over the flats; the lake's most dependable dry fly fishing.
Chironomids (midges): Spring midge fishing over the 20-30 foot center basin for fresh stockers.
Leeches: Slow-trolled black buggers along the drop-off before boat traffic builds.
Recommended Flies
Black Woolly Bugger
Top PickSlow-trolled black bugger along the 20-foot contour at first light; the proven stocker tactic.
Best in spring
Parachute Adams
Top PickParachute Adams for Callibaetis and midge risers over the flats.
Best in spring
Also Effective
Access Points & Boat Launches
Silver Lake State Park Launch
Boat LaunchEasySilver Lake State Park on the north shore provides a small launch for cartop boats and canoes, plus a beach, campground, and boat rentals, all a short walk from Barnard village. A public fishing access also serves the lake.
Regulations
Regulations
General trout season runs from the second Saturday in April through October 31 with standard bag limits. 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
- 84 acres
- Max Depth
- 30 ft
- Elevation
- 1306 ft
- Lake Type
- Natural Lake
- Region
- Central Vermont / Windsor County
- Best Seasons
- spring, fall
- Species
- Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Depth Chart
- Download PDF
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