Battenkill
The Battenkill is managed by the VT Fish & Game as a wild fishery for Brook and Brown Trout. The East Branch starts in East Dorset and the West Branch in Dorset. The branches meet to form the Battenkill in Manchester behind Manchester Discount Beverage. With four decades of fishing experience on the “Kill” my advice to unguided anglers: be stealthily in your approach and to use long leaders 12+ feet. Significant hatches on the Battenkill include: Hendricksons, Caddis, BWO, and Tricos.
Battenkill Regulations:
From the NY state line upstream (20.6 miles) to the downstream side of Depot Street bridge (Routes 11/30) in Manchester.
All trout must be released immediately
Closed to ALL FISHING from November 1 to the Friday before the second Saturday in April.
Depot Street bridge (Routes 11/30) in Manchester to the downstream side of US Route 7 bridge south of East Dorset. To protect spawning areas the following special regulations below apply:
Trout: Oct. 1–Oct. 31: Catch and Release (includes tributaries: Green River, Roaring Branch, Warm Brook) fishing only, all trout must be released immediately.
TRIBUTARIES to the Battenkill
East and West Branches
Mad Tom Brook
Bourn Brook
Lye Brook
Mill Brook
Warm Brook
Green River
USGS Link for real time water data
Vermont State and public access links to google maps for directions:
Red Mill off VT 313 just before the NY state line
Water Works off VT313 Arlington
Wagon Wheel off VT 7 north of Arlinton
East Branch of the upper Battenkill access
Norman Rockwell Covered Bridge Green
Arlington Recreation Center