It’s a fishing day

Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) fishing conditions · Vermont

Tomorrow, 4 am–6 pmWalleye

The bite peaks at 86.

Log a trip here
Right now: 83 for walleye, worth the tripTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours

Walleye, hour by hour

Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.

  1. 834 pm
  2. 81
  3. 82
  4. 827 pm
  5. 72
  6. 72
  7. 7610 pm
  8. 76
  9. 72Sun
  10. 791 am
  11. 79
  12. 79
  13. 824 am
  14. 82
  15. 86
  16. 827 am
  17. 82
  18. 82
  19. 8610 am
  20. 86
  21. 86
  22. 821 pm
  23. 82
  24. 82
  25. 864 pm
  26. 82
  27. 74
  28. 727 pm
  29. 72
  30. 72
  31. 7210 pm
  32. 78
  33. 78Mon
  34. 741 am
  35. 74
  36. 74
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out

Right now

Water
No reading

Walleye range 50–72°

Wind
2 mph

From the northwest

Flow
2,420 cfs

steady · +12% in 24 h

Light
Daylight

Sunset 4:34 pm

Sky
Rain Showers Likely

60% chance of rain

Air
53°F

NWS hourly forecast

Barometer
Falling

Measured, last 3 hours

Moon
5% lit

Waning crescent

What’s biting

Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are Vermont non-tidal regulations for these waters.

Walleye

Walleye

Sander vitreus

86GoTomorrow, 4 am–6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Walleye bite in 50–72° water, best near 62°.

Why

Walleye feeds aggressively in low light. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 10–40 ft down.

Keep

4 a day

Release 16–18".

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Walleye from 16 to 18" must be released; 4 a day, only 1 over 18". Open all year.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Connecticut River (NH–VT boundary)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on walleye

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch

Perca flavescens

68MarginalTomorrow, 1 am–6 pm

Water

No water reading here right now. Yellow perch bite in 45–70° water, best near 58°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Wet day — uncomfortable but fish still bite. Holds 5–30 ft down.

Keep

25 a day

Open. Keep fish within the limits. 25 yellow perch a day.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Connecticut River (NH–VT boundary)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Mar–May, Sep–Nov, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on yellow perch

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

Micropterus dolomieu

39Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Smallmouth bass bite in 55–78° water, best near 68°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Settled river level — clearer water, easier wading. Holds 3–30 ft down.

Keep

2 a day (Jan 1–May 14); 5 a day (Jun 16–Dec 31)

Open. Keep fish within the limits. No minimum; 2 bass a day Jan 1–May 14, catch and release May 15–Jun 15, 5 a day from Jun 16.

Verified Oct 23, 2026 · Connecticut River (NH–VT boundary)

Last checked 15 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: Apr–Oct, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on smallmouth bass

Common Carp

Common carp

Cyprinus carpio

33Sit it outNo window clears the bar

Water

No water reading here right now. Common carp bite in 52–86° water, best near 72°.

Why

Fish feed actively ahead of a pressure drop. Light breeze — ruffles the surface so fish spook less, and casting is easy. Common carp is here May–Sep. Holds 1–15 ft down.

Keep

no daily limit

Open. Keep fish within the limits. Vermont: carp, suckers and cull fish have no size limit and no daily limit, all year, on rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.

Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Vermont non-tidal

Last checked 20 days ago. Rules may have changed.

Season here: May–Sep, estimated from local air temperature, 2023–2025; there is no water gauge here. More on common carp

The water

  • Water temperatureNo reading
  • River2,420 cfs · steady · +12% in 24 h
  • Barometer29.70 inHg, falling

Sun, moon & solunar

  • Sunset today4:34 pm
  • Sunrise tomorrow6:33 am
  • MoonWaning crescent, 5% lit
  • Major solunarTonight 9:40 pm–11:40 pm
  • Minor solunarTomorrow 5:40 am–6:40 am
  • Major solunarTomorrow 10:00 am–12:00 pm

Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works

Fishing report

No current report covers these waters.

We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. Vermont Fish & Wildlife has the state’s fishing pages.

Licenses and rules: Vermont Fish & Wildlife · fish-consumption advisories

About this spot

The Connecticut River along the Vermont–New Hampshire border holds strong smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch in its impoundments and runs. The stretch around Bellows Falls is fished from boats and the bank; live USGS flow at North Walpole reads the river.

NH–VT boundary water: either state's resident license is valid. Bass 2 a day Jan 1–May 14, catch and release May 15–Jun 15, 5 a day after; walleye from 16 to 18" must be released (4 a day, only 1 over 18"); northern pike 28", 1 a day.

Nearby

The closest public spots we cover, with the same 36 hours of floats.

Salisbury Beach State Reservation85 mi · MassachusettsBest now until 8 pmSmall Craft Advisory
70Worth the trip
North Hampton State Beach85 mi · New HampshireBest now until 7 pm
94Go
Farmington River86 mi · ConnecticutBest now until 8 pm
100Go
Lake Champlain (Burlington)101 mi · VermontBest tomorrow 1 pm to Monday 4 am
86Go

Questions people ask

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls)?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls)?

Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Common Carp. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls)?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) have?

Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. NH–VT boundary water: either state's resident license is valid. Bass 2 a day Jan 1–May 14, catch and release May 15–Jun 15, 5 a day after; walleye from 16 to 18" must be released (4 a day, only 1 over 18"); northern pike 28", 1 a day.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls)?

state agency regulations apply at Connecticut River (Bellows Falls). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) tidal water?

No. Connecticut River (Bellows Falls) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.