The White River is the largest undammed river in Vermont. It is roughly 55 miles long and drains an area of over 700 square miles--50,000 acres of which is located within the Green Mountain National Forest. The river drops more than 2,000 feet in elevation from its genesis in the Green Mountain National Forest to its termination at the Connecticut River. It has three branches; First, Second and Third. Each branch flows from the north into the mainstem supplying the river with cool mountain water throughout the season. Countless named and unnamed tributaries wind their way into the mainstem and its branches. These elements combine to make the White River one of Vermont’s finest and most diverse trout fisheries. Throughout the upper section, dozens of small streams drain into the river from the mountains. Many of these hold populations of wild brook trout. Some are home to populations of wild rainbow trout. There are brown trout present as well. Trout range from 6 to 12 inches with much larger fish always a possibility. Between Granville and its confluence with the Tweed River, the White River runs through a scenic and lightly developed valley. The river here parallels Route 100. The low gradient found offers an abundance of riffle water with an occasional deep bends and pools. The river here ranges from just a few feet wide to close to 40 feet in where it picks up the Hancock Branch, West Branch and Tweed River. Starting at its confluence with the Tweed River, the White quickly begins a dramatic change in topography as the gradient steepens. Here much larger boulders, ledge, and deeper pools are found. The steeper gradient creates great pocketwater and many deep pools. The highly oxygenated nature of the rivers as it flows through Stockbridge and Gaysville offers some of the best trout habitat. Most of the fish in this section are rainbows between 8 and 14 inches. There is a mix of wild and stocked fish. As you approach Bethel the White Rivers slows and the river picks up the Third Branch. The upper portion of this section is primarily freestone. However, large ledges begin to appear that create what look like bottomless pools and back eddies. Most of this stretch offers great conditions for fly fishing. Several large tributaries join the river as it continues its journey to the Connecticut River. This section is heavily stocked with rainbow trout. The average fish is between 8 and 14 inches. Much larger fish haunt this stretch as well including some that top the 20" mark. This section also has a tremendous smallmouth bass population, some reaching 4 to 5 pounds. Nearly 30 miles of the White River, starting at the Route 107 bridge in Bethel and extending to the confluence with the Connecticut River, can be fished in the off season as catch and release with artificial flies and lures. The White River has a diverse insect population. Mayflies, stoneflies and caddis are all present. The best hatches occur in May into mid-summer and again in the fall