The Willoughby River is a freestone river in Vermont, listed as Steelhead / salmon water by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department / Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.
The nearest USGS gauge on the same stream system is shown, labelled. 1 shop nearby are listed here.
Willoughby River is a freestone river in Vermont.
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of Willoughby River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of Willoughby River with 1 USGS gauge.
Restrooms within 2 miles of Willoughby River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Steelhead / salmon waterRepresentative photo · not Barton RiverThe Winooski River falls between Winooski and Burlington, Vermont. Photo: Ken Gallager, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Barton River.
Vermont · about 5 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Crystal LakeMooselookmeguntic Lake from Oquossoc, Maine. Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Crystal Lake.
Vermont · about 5 mi
Trophy / quality trout waterRepresentative photo · not May PondRangeley Lake, Maine. Photo: Manuel Velazquez, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not May Pond.
Vermont · about 5 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Willoughby LakeLake Jocassee from a canoe, South Carolina. Photo: TimothyJ from Atlanta, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Willoughby Lake.
Vermont · about 6 mi
Trophy / quality trout waterRepresentative photo · not Long PondLake Greenwood, South Carolina. Photo: JCMLuis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Long Pond.
Vermont · about 7 mi
Trophy / quality trout waterRepresentative photo · not Wheeler PondSunrise over Lake Marion from Santee State Park, South Carolina. Photo: Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Wheeler Pond.
Vermont · about 7 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under salmon & steelhead.
On the Rainbow Trout (including Steelhead)/Brown Trout rivers and the Clyde River salmon water (10 App. V.S.A. §122, 7.6(d), 7.7(d)) list (Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department / Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board, read 2026-10-16). All waters with this designation
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-04) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
4 of 10.9 mi on public land
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
No guide within 40 miles yet.
The hatch and season chart for this water's region.
8 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
Blue Quill (April) · Hendrickson (April) · Quill Gordon (April) · Green drake (May) · Mayflies (best hatches) (May) · Mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies (June to September) · and 2 more on the chart
None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.
No hub within 40 miles
A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.
7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Willoughby River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: a point on the mapped channel of “Willoughby River”, halfway along its length in Vermont, from the USGS high-resolution hydrography (NHDPlus HR), read 4 Nov 2026. It marks the water, not a particular access or reach. Water type is our own classification.
Caution: Low water: go quiet and stealthy
No water temperature here.
At BARTON RIVER NEAR COVENTRY, VT (USGS 04296280). No gauge on Willoughby River. Nearest: BARTON RIVER NEAR COVENTRY, VT (5.2 mi away), on the river it flows into. Willoughby River's own flow is not measured. Provisional USGS data
USGS 04296280 · NWS COVV1
No gauge on Willoughby River. Nearest: BARTON RIVER NEAR COVENTRY, VT (5.2 mi away), on the river it flows into. Willoughby River's own flow is not measured.
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Lowest for this date on record for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 7:45 PM EDT to Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST; ranging 24.1 to 32.9 ft³/s; latest 25.3 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 27 | 0.67 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 27 | 0.67 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 27.5 | 0.68 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 27.5 | 0.68 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 27.9 | 0.69 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 27.9 | 0.69 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 28.3 | 0.7 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 28.8 | 0.71 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 29.2 | 0.72 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 29.7 | 0.73 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 30.6 | 0.75 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 31 | 0.76 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 31.9 | 0.78 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 32.9 | 0.8 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 32.9 | 0.8 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 31.5 | 0.77 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 29.2 | 0.72 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 27.5 | 0.68 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 24.1 | 0.6 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 24.5 | 0.61 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST | 24.9 | 0.62 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT | 25.3 | 0.63 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT | 25.7 | 0.64 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM EDT | 26.6 | 0.66 |
| Oct 29, 9:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 29, 8:30 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM EDT | 26.2 | 0.65 |
Normal for Nov 5: 114–346 ft³/s (middle half of 16 years of record). Now: 25.3 ft³/s, lowest for this date on record.
Lowest for this date on record for this date. 25.3 ft³/s is below the lowest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 16 years of record (2011–2026): 10th 64, 25th 114, median 178, 75th 346, 90th 634 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 63 ft³/s, highest 720 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−1.6% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 0.63 ft stage at Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST (NWS gauge COVV1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Vermont Fish and Wildlife uses are 70°F.
This gauge is on our page for Willoughby River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 7:37 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Steelhead / salmon waterRepresentative photo · not Barton RiverThe Winooski River falls between Winooski and Burlington, Vermont. Photo: Ken Gallager, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Barton River.
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Crystal LakeMooselookmeguntic Lake from Oquossoc, Maine. Photo: Doug Kerr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Crystal Lake.
Vermont · about 5 mi
Trophy / quality trout waterRepresentative photo · not May PondRangeley Lake, Maine. Photo: Manuel Velazquez, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not May Pond.
Vermont · about 5 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Willoughby LakeLake Jocassee from a canoe, South Carolina. Photo: TimothyJ from Atlanta, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Willoughby Lake.
Vermont · about 6 mi
Trophy / quality trout waterRepresentative photo · not Long PondLake Greenwood, South Carolina. Photo: JCMLuis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Long Pond.
Vermont · about 7 mi
Trophy / quality trout waterRepresentative photo · not Wheeler PondSunrise over Lake Marion from Santee State Park, South Carolina. Photo: Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Wheeler Pond.
Vermont · about 7 mi
Westmore, Vermont
River cabins · 5.4 mi
