The Green Mountain State may be landlocked, but its freshwater lakes, mountain streams, and unmatched pastoral beauty make for some unique and satisfying fishing excursions. From St. Albans to Vergennes, Vermont appeals to all varieties of anglers. And finding live bait is no problem either, as the state’s many local shops have all you’ll ever need in stock. So come along as we explore the best bait and tackle shops in Vermont.
Location. Location. Location. Bayside is within walking distance from the bay, and it is one of largest bait and tackle dealers in Vermont. With your satisfaction guaranteed, you’ll find a full line of bait and tackle, and they’ll buy your catch right there at the store, year round. You’ll spend hours looking through all of the gear, but don’t forget to visit the seasonal ice cream shop.
At Big River, you will find raw fish, Dobson larvae, crawlers, minnows, pike bait, mealworms, and more. All live bait is licensed, inspected, and registered for use in Vermont, according to their website. Plus, for ice fishing, you will find augers, ice shanties, IceArmor suits, HT Polar lined gloves and mittens, lures, jigs, and spins, and so much more.
At the Fly Rod Shop, they offer both fly fishing and spin instructional fishing classes along with various guided fishing adventures. Explore Lake Elmore, the Waterbury Reservoir, or Lake Eden, as well as rent gear and equipment to make your fishing journey excellent. Plus, buy flies, leaders, or tippets, and get waders and other gear.
Old Fishing Hole stocks a wide variety of tackle, bait, and equipment, like ice fishing gear, boating supplies and equipment, marine batteries, and trolling motors. They carry a little bit of everything here, including camping supplies, guns, and ammo. Plus, find crawlers, shiners, minnows, and more.
At Tom’s they only accept cash or check, but the bait doesn’t get any fresher. Get crawlers, crayfish, shiners, fatheads, reds, dillies, spikes, and a variety of tackle. Also, find ice fishing gear as well as custom jigs and flies. So, if you are in Castleton, there is only one place to go for expert advice and the best bait, boating supplies, and more.
Welcome to the Northeast Kingdom and D’s Bait Shop, where the bait is lively, and the staff is knowledgeable. Whether you are fishing Lake Memphremagog or the Clyde River, you can get crawlers, emerald shiners, perch bait, hooks, sinkers, swivels, bobbers, fishing line, nets, and more at Big D’s.
If you are looking to fish Lake Champlain and want the best ties around, there is only one place to go. He’s got freshwater flies, saltwater flies, and fly fishing accessories. Plus find fly tying materials, custom made fly rods, and a high-quality selection of tackle and gear explicitly made for fishing on Lake Champlain.
Featuring Vermont trout flies, guide services, fly fishing instruction, custom fly rods, and more, no one knows the tributaries of southern Lake Champlain like Ed Schirmer. Take his flies and custom rods on many of Vermont’s trout rivers and streams and see for yourself. Fish the Lamoille and Winooski Rivers, Otter Creek, Furnace Brook, East Creek and more.
For fishing licenses, top-quality fishing supplies, bait, and more, stop in and see Wayne and Diane Jones at Otter Creek. Plus, find Shappell portable shanties, Shappell jet sleds, ice augers, ice fishing rods and reels, and a great selection of ice fishing tackle and live bait, like rosy reds, minnows, crawfish, leeches, shiners, and more.
