Of the 7 state parks within Vermont’s Groton State Forest, Seyon Lodge State Park stands apart. Opened in 1968, Seyon features a historic lodge and provides access to scenic 37-acre Seyon Pond, also called Noyes Pond, which is home to a robust population of wild brook trout.
The land and pond that comprise Seyon Lodge State Park has had many owners over the last 125 years. The pond was created in 1888, when judge Jonathan Robards Darling built a dam and sawmill on the Wells River. The native brook trout didn’t seem to mind. In fact, they thrived!
Recognizing that the pond was ideal habitat for the wild-reproducing trout, the federal government installed a so-called “stripping station” at its inlet for supplying eggs to its large fish hatchery in St Johnsbury.
Other previous owners of the property have included Vermont senator Silas Griffith, AT&T president Theodore Vail, hotelier Robert Peckett, and, starting in 1929, auto salesman Harry Noyes, who renamed the place Seyon Trout Ranch and whose family maintained it as a private retreat before selling it in 1954. Incidentally, “Seyon” is Noyes spelled backwards.
After serving as a sporting lodge for the next 13 years, the state of Vermont bought the property in 1967 for $250,000 and incorporated it as part of the Groton State Forest.
Today, the public can fish the hallowed waters of Seyon Pond by renting one of the park’s rowboats. The boats are available on a first-come, first -served basis, but can also be reserved online. Payment can be left at the kiosk adjacent to the parking lot. Anglers cannot use their own craft on Seyon, and may only use fly gear (Seyon is the only state-managed waterbody to be designated “fly-fishing only”).
Seyon Lodge itself can also be rented by families or groups, and meals are available. The lodge features comfortable rooms with shared baths, plus a large living room and enclosed porch.
While fishing is the main draw for visitors to Seyon Lodge State Park, there are plenty of other activities to pursue. These include hiking and birding, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Plus, you’re likely to encounter various critters, including bobcat, moose, deer, fisher, porcupine, and many species of birds. Speaking of which, it should be noted that Seyon Pond is also home to a pair of resident loons, which have learned that fishermen can be an easy source of food. They aren’t shy about shadowing the rowboats, and will often steal hooked trout from an angler’s line. No one is quite sure what can be done about it.
Note that a Vermont fishing license is required to fish at Seyon. You can buy one online here. Trout may be kept, but check current state regulations for current size and catch limits.
By the way, if you are interested in learning more about fishing the famous hatches of hexagenia mayflies that occur at Seyon each spring and summer, check out “Fishing the Hex Hatch” by Vermont angler and writer Leighton Wass. It tells you everything you need to know about this spectacular fishing event.
