The Black River runs right through Ludlow, minutes from Okemo Mountain Resort. Vermont Fish & Wildlife stocks it with rainbow trout, and the trophy stretch south of town holds some very large fish. It's classic small-river Vermont fishing - wade in at a pull-off and work the pools.
🐟 Fish you'll find: rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout
🎣 Stocked by VT Fish & Wildlife: rainbow trout, brown trout (2-year-old trophy fish) - stocked each spring, late April through May; 2026 plan weeks of May 4, 11, 18, and 25 (1,500 rainbow + 500 brown)
🥾 Getting there: Park at the Upper Falls (Downers) Covered Bridge lot on Upper Falls Road in Weathersfield, at the downstream end of the Black River trophy-trout stretch (Downers covered bridge upstream ~4 miles to Howard Hill Bridge in Cavendish).
Vermont fishing licenses are required for anglers 15 and older - check current regulations with Vermont Fish & Wildlife before you go.