Bomoseen (Rutland)

Lake Bomoseen in Rutland County, Vermont

This lake has 8 Layers or 15 Layers for HD Version

Lake Bomoseen is a 2,400-acre natural freshwater lake in western Vermont's Rutland County, located in the towns of Castleton and Hubbardton within the scenic Taconic Mountains. As the largest lake lying entirely within Vermont's borders, this glacially-formed body of water features an average depth of 27 feet and reaches a maximum depth of 65 feet, creating diverse aquatic habitats from shallow marshy edges to deep open waters that support both warm-water and cold-water fish species. The lake was carved by glacial activity thousands of years ago and drains a 24,770-acre watershed through five major inlets before emptying into the Castleton River, a tributary of the Poultney River, which flows westward to Lake Champlain's southern bay. Nestled in a valley surrounded by the lower hills of the Taconics, Vermont's historic slate-producing region, the lake sits amid landscapes rich in geological and industrial heritage, with the area's history paralleling the dramatic rise and fall of Vermont's once-thriving slate industry that dominated the region from the mid-1800s through the early 1900s. Neshobe Island, located in the center of the lake, gained literary fame in the 1920s when it was owned by Alexander Woollcott and served as a retreat for members of the renowned Algonquin Round Table, hosting luminaries of American literature and theater during Vermont's summer months.

Lake Bomoseen offers exceptional year-round fishing opportunities with diverse populations of Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, panfish, and Rainbow Smelt, making it a premier multi-species fishery actively managed by Vermont Fish and Wildlife. The lake supports both warm-water species in shallow vegetated areas and coves, and cold-water species like trout and smelt in deeper sections around Neshobe Island and along the dramatic underwater "slate slide" where submerged quarry slate creates unique structure and habitat. Two public boat access areas, Kehoe and Thomas Evanoika, provide convenient launching facilities and excellent shore fishing opportunities, while multiple private marinas offer boat rentals, slips, and full services for powerboaters, sailors, kayakers, and canoeists exploring the scenic waters. The crown jewel of recreation is Bomoseen State Park, a 3,576-acre preserve occupying the western shoreline and encompassing over 2,000 additional acres of forested land surrounding nearby Glen Lake and extending to Half Moon Pond State Park. The Bomoseen campground features 55 tent and RV sites plus 10 lean-to shelters, some positioned directly along the lakeshore, with modern facilities including flush toilets, hot showers, and a dump station, while a sandy swimming beach with a snack bar concession provides family-friendly water access during summer months with boat rentals available for canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and pedal boats. Park interpreters offer engaging programs including night hikes, campfire programs, amphibian explorations, and nature crafts, while the self-guided three-quarter-mile Slate History Trail leads visitors through fascinating remnants of the West Castleton Railroad and Slate Company, including abandoned quarry holes with colorful slate rubble piles, stone foundations, and slate buildings that once housed a complex of 60 to 70 structures supporting the region's booming slate industry. Beyond the state park, nearby attractions include historic Hubbardton Battlefield State Historic Site commemorating Vermont's only Revolutionary War battle, Mount Independence State Historic Site preserving a critical military fortification, the ornate Wilson Castle mansion offering tours, the Vermont Marble Exhibit showcasing the state's marble industry heritage, and Devil's Bowl Speedway providing exciting auto racing entertainment, all easily accessible from this scenic lake that continues serving as both a natural sanctuary and beloved recreational destination for Vermonters and visitors alike.

Dimensions:

Small: 8"x12"

Medium: 12"x18"

Large: 16"x24"

Extra Large: 20"x30"

XX Large: 24"x36"

Gigantic 30"x45"

HD Extra Large: 20"x30" - 15 Layers

HD XX Large: 24"x36" - 15 Layers

HD Gigantic 30"x45" - 15 Layers

The difference between standard and HD maps is the number of layers. Standard maps have 1 land layer and 7 water layers. " The HD lake maps have 1 land layer and 14 water layers. So twice the detail. The HD Maps are limited to Extra Large, " XX Large, and Gigantic sizes only. On the smaller sizes the depth change of the wood is too extreme and you end up losing detail."